THE ORIGINAL ‘BEATBOXERS’: THE KING’S SINGERS

The King's Singers roster is one of fluidity, and as such none of 
it’s original members and only two members featured in the 
videos below remain in the current group. In the image above 
and in the videos* below, the lineup featured is my personal 
favorite grouping of the ever-changing ensemble. They are 
(clockwise from the rear-left): David Hurley (countertenor), 
Christopher Gabbitas (baritone), Philip Lawson (baritone), 
Stephen Connolly (bass), Robin Tyson (countertenor) and at 
bottom left is my favorite of the ensemble, Tenor Paul Pheonix 
(isn't he lovely!)

I am a firm believer that any genre of music can be enriching to the soul. I am often asked if there is a neutral introduction for the classical freshman. The answer is yes!

While it is in this particular realm (Classical music and Opera) that I find I am in my milieu, my ‘musical enlightenment’ (for lack of a more apt phrase) still has a soft spot for the so-called “oldies” - chart topping hits from the 50's and even up to the late 70's.

Britain’s a capella 'supergroup' The King’s Singers are a much beloved ensemble whose repertoire ranges from baroque to romantic opera, madrigals to french mélodies and chansons, oldies hits to modern pop and just about everything in between. They make a fabulous introduction into the world of Classical music and can be found quite often winning over the crowd at the The Proms during London's annual Three Choirs/City of London Festival at Royal Albert Hall with their exquisite display of tonal harmony, and impressive use of falsettos, and often humorous interpretations of legendary composers and their masterworks.


Below you will find three examples of Classical vocal stylings interspersed with some of contemporary America’s most beloved pop classics. They are:


Blackbird by The Beatles (1968):



Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (1984):


She’s Always a Woman To Me by Billy Joel (1977):

*In this video, countertenor Robin Tyson is replaced by Timothy Wayne-Wright.



and in this video, witness the aural wonders and comic delights of The King's Singers in their element, performing the infamous overture of Gioachino Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia :




Footnotes:

READ MORE OF MY POSTS ON THE KING'S SINGERS in the King's Singers archives here.

-Rose.

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