I've loved the voice of James Bowman since I first heard him sing in a Thames Concerts Society Christmas concert at Kingston Parish Church in 1974 and asked him for his autograph. Loved his collaboration with David Munrow and the Early Music Consort. Happy days.
When I first started listening to medieval music, I bought 'The Pleasures of the Royal Courts' CD, and when I heard Bowman sing, I didn't realize it was a countertenor guy! I asked myself, "Who is the lady singing on this track?" When I found out it was Bowman, I laughed then found a new love for the music!
A chorister friend of mine once asked James Bowman for his autograph. My friend (age 11) took a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket for Bowman to sign. Bowman feigned turning his nose up, then said, 'That's a bit grotty.' Then signed. Impossible to overestimate just what a great singer he is. Here he is, chatting about Britten.
Wonderful! This made me laugh out loud. My husband and I met him briefly in Oxford at a Three Counter Tenors event and we were so thrilled, having listened to his voice in recordings for so many years.
I have been, an admire of him since 1978,when I heard Purcell's : Sound The Trumpet :sung by him and Charles Brett on a cassette from the collection by Richard Baker :These You Have Loved : I had the pleasure of his company when I invited him to visit my cafe to sample a pasta dish named after him, one of my best recipe, and most popular We exchanged a couple of letters, I have to admit that his calligraphy is not quite as good as his magnificent voice. Sadly he is retired and my cafe is no more
I first saw him in La Calisto at Glyndebourne, memorable because among other things the poor devil had flu and had to be helped by an understudy in the wings. After that I had the pleasure of hearing many live performances with the Early Music Consort and Handel Opera Society. I eventually heard him sing Oberon and concur, I Know a Bank is perfect just the way it is. x
I've loved James Bowman ever since I first heard him in the "all male Messiah" with King's College under Sir David Willcocks. I've followed him and his achingly beautiful voice ever since. Jimbo keeps a low profile these days, so this is a special treat for us all. Small criticism: this recording is terribly clipped, and there's little excuse for that these days.
What a wonderful man! What a heavenly voice. RIP dear James.
this man is the greatest countertenor
:&From another ...world
A'
Il chantait faux à faire pleurer un chien
The truth!
This man is actually a rock star. Yes, he is! I suppose he will never know about it. Any way, thanks so much for singing and helping us alive!
I've loved the voice of James Bowman since I first heard him sing in a Thames Concerts Society Christmas concert at Kingston Parish Church in 1974 and asked him for his autograph. Loved his collaboration with David Munrow and the Early Music Consort. Happy days.
When I first started listening to medieval music, I bought 'The Pleasures of the Royal Courts' CD, and when I heard Bowman sing, I didn't realize it was a countertenor guy! I asked myself, "Who is the lady singing on this track?" When I found out it was Bowman, I laughed then found a new love for the music!
I gave a concert with him in Fès, Morocco, in 1994, as a violinist in the Ensemble Baroque de Nice.
Living in Hampton Wick at the time, I was there too. Grateful memories of Basil Smith and his Thames Concert Society concerts.
Used to see James many times in the 1980's, always unforgettable experiences, he did much to get the counter tenor back into the lime light.
Is it just me or do I love him?
A chorister friend of mine once asked James Bowman for his autograph. My friend (age 11) took a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket for Bowman to sign. Bowman feigned turning his nose up, then said, 'That's a bit grotty.' Then signed. Impossible to overestimate just what a great singer he is. Here he is, chatting about Britten.
What an absolute treasure! Greetings and love from the Philippines!
Blokes a legend!!!!
I appreciate immensely his works with Andrew Gant! Absolutely brilliant! 👏👏👏👏
5:33 - "I didn't sound with a little tiny squeak. I thought I'd come on and be butch." lol Epic!!
LOL, right!
Wonderful! This made me laugh out loud. My husband and I met him briefly in Oxford at a Three Counter Tenors event and we were so thrilled, having listened to his voice in recordings for so many years.
I have been, an admire of him since 1978,when I heard Purcell's : Sound The Trumpet :sung by him and Charles Brett on a cassette from the collection by Richard Baker :These You Have Loved : I had the pleasure of his company when I invited him to visit my cafe to sample a pasta dish named after him, one of my best recipe, and most popular We exchanged a couple of letters, I have to admit that his calligraphy is not quite as good as his magnificent voice. Sadly he is retired and my cafe is no more
I first saw him in La Calisto at Glyndebourne, memorable because among other things the poor devil had flu and had to be helped by an understudy in the wings. After that I had the pleasure of hearing many live performances with the Early Music Consort and Handel Opera Society. I eventually heard him sing Oberon and concur, I Know a Bank is perfect just the way it is. x
Met this wonderful singer in Peterborough Cathedral after he gave a recital. Lovely man.
I was either attending or playing for it, whichever recital it was!
@@andrewplant1247 you were playing the piano for him. It was a lunchtime and The recital took place behind the altar.
@@elaineeaston1637 So glad you enjoyed it!
I've loved James Bowman ever since I first heard him in the "all male Messiah" with King's College under Sir David Willcocks. I've followed him and his achingly beautiful voice ever since. Jimbo keeps a low profile these days, so this is a special treat for us all. Small criticism: this recording is terribly clipped, and there's little excuse for that these days.
Sir David Willcocks, I think.
@@missasinenomine Doh! Quite right, thank you - I've edited.
At his brilliant best. I laughed out loud, got moved and learned shed loads: business as usual with Mr Bowman!
Loved him in Withnail & I.
RIP James.
Rest in peace.
Those guys (Bowman, Essen, Oberlin, and Deller) walked so today countertenors could run... But still exist lots of prejudice with this fach.
Bowman's renditions always sound better.