beginner

Hello,

Here is a beginner in classical musics. I have just listened to some classical songs sang by a boy (maybe with a choir in the background) in a TV program (Oh not Vienna Boys Choir). I do not know the name of the song. Of course, you will not know either

But I don't know whether anyone could suggest to me a repertoire about similar things?

Thanks a lot and a lot!

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) wrote several fine pieces for boys' voices

Hard to say just what you saw, without more information. Kings College Choir, just to name one, uses boy soloists. They have a distinctive sound, which many either strongly like or strongly dislike; not much middle ground. There's a Rutter Requiem on EMI with Kings College Choir that you might try.

Why not wander over to your local music shop and ask for a CD of the Vienna Boys Choir, and also one of a boy soprano singing some of the classical repetoire? (Or check whether your local library has CDs for loan - an even cheaper option).

Choose one or two of the pieces you like best, check which composers wrote the pieces and then find one or two cheap recordings by those composers. (The library option gives fine recordings at no financial risk).

Within no time at all you will have established what sort of music you like, and what sort of music you don't particularly like. From there the experience grows into a fascination at an 'alarming' rate, especially for your wallet.

Moira, the Faerie Godmother

You might enjoy the Faure Requiem.

You should check the bins for other John Rutter things, mostly religious and Christmas works. He uses high voices in some of these recordings, as well.

If he enjoys sleeping ...

Peter,

Is that a reference to the piece or the performance?

To the beginner:

I'd try looking for a recording of 'Hear My Prayer' by Mendelssohn, which finishes with a fairly well-known section 'O for the wings of a dove'. You could also look for Schubert choral/part-song settings; my favourite is 'Gebet' for choir, soloists and piano. You could also look for a recording of JS Bach Arias (posh word for songs) featuring a boy soprano (sometimes called Treble) and choir.

The piece. Mike didn't recommend a particular recording.

Usually when I haven't much cared for a work from just listening to it, I've come around after learning it for performance (JSB is a lot better for singing than for hearing

Sorry, Peter, I mistakenly thought your comment was a response to 'blaze_deville''s suggestion of the Kings College recording.

I think I sang in the Faure Requiem first, then played violin, and finally accompanied it on the organ (for which no arrangement exists). I also heard a memorable performance on Remembrance Sunday at Christ Church, Oxford accompanied on the Piano (whilst the organ was out of action). It is one of my personal favourites, although the tenors need to be fearless. Perhaps you are not keen on Faure in general. Was it Debussy or Ravel that described him as a genius in every bar? If you have problems with the Faure what about the Durufle?

There are very few composers I've given up on; Fauré is one. But I can't sympathize with the comment 'I don't care for Ravel, except