Los Chicos de la Escolanía (Escolania del Escorial) │The Extraordinary Choir From Spain

Los Chicos de la Escolanía, from the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo, is a very special choral group from Spain.  In 1995 they had an international hit with the song "Nirvana".  They also had a very unique sound then, that was sort of a cross between Enigma, and Hildegard Von Bingen.  At that time they were known collectively as Elbosco.  Their latest hit is called "Cuando Me Vaya (When I Go)", that was recorded in collaboration with pop star Jaime Terrón, who is the lead singer of the musical group Melocos.  It is so beautiful, so plaintive, so soulful, that I wept when I first heard it.  There is a haunting harmonic tag at the end of the bridge, followed by some spoken words that sends chills up my spine.  This is what contemporary music is all about.  I am in retirement now, and I live the life of the quintessential recluse.  There are days that go by that I don't see, or speak to anyone at all.  I live alone in a small apartment in Waikiki, Hawaii.  My telephone rings, maybe once or twice a week, at most.  Outside of this self-imposed exile, and silence, it is music that sustains me emotionally, and spiritually.  Well, Los Chicos de la Escolania has turned out to be excellent company.  They fill a large void in my life.  I listen to them for hours on end.  In this post, I am featuring them performing three songs.  "Cuando Me Vaya", the beautiful "Ave Maria" by Franz Schubert, and "The Flower Duet (Sous le dôme épais)", from Léo Delibes' haunting, and mystical opera, "Lakmé".  The latter song has been featured in many movies, and television commercials.  It just so happens that I adore "The Flower Duet", and the "Ave Maria".  They are my most favorite music in the whole world.  The "Ave Maria" is a special favorite of mine, as I have a great devotion to "Our Lady Of Fatima".  In my apartment, I have a little shrine devoted exclusively to her, and to fill some of the spaces in my day, I enjoy reciting the "Hail Mary".  I used to belong to a Roman Catholic religious order, and the mysticism of the Catholic church is still near and dear to me.  There are three things that we have in common with heaven while we are still here on Earth.  They are Light, Love, and Music.  Los Chicos de la Escolanía possesses all three in great abundance.  It is interesting to note that the Los Chicos de la Escolania choir is comprised of young men between the ages of nine and fourteen, and they all live in The Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo (located North of Madrid).  The monastery was built in the 16th century by Filipe II, when Spain was considered one of the greatest and most powerful empires on Earth.  Astrologers, sorcerers, physicians and architects sought out the monastery as a supremely magical and strategic location.  The Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo has a cool website that can be found at this link:  Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo - Official Website  Escolania del Escorial has an excellent YouTube channel that can be found here:  Escolonia del Escorial - YouTube Channel  With that said, please click on the video widgets below to enjoy three selections from Los Chicos de la Escolania, "Cuando Me Vaya", the "Flower Duet" from "Lakmé", Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria", and "The Making Of Pop" video as an added bonus.

"Cuando Me Vaya"

"Flower Duet" from "Lakmé"

 "Ave Maria" by Franz Schubert's

The "Making Of Pop"

Billy Gilman │ Oklahoma

In this edition of Angelic Voices we are featuring Billy Gilman, the golden voiced singer, who in his time, did not have any equal in this sector of the Galaxy.  He is probably the greatest treble voice that America has ever produced.  I've been asked many times as to why Angelic Voices does not feature many singers from the United States.  Well, I was just biding my time for the perfect moment to bring out Billy Gilman, who is the best, of the best!  There was a time in my life when I was going through some very painful personal problems, and the music of Billy Gilman helped to sustain me, and gave balance to my sanity.  I love Billy Gilman's music to no end  It is with great pleasure that I have the chance now to share the remarkable gifts of Billy Gilman with all of you. The selection that we am showcasing is the moving, beautiful, and haunting "Oklahoma".  This one of the greatest story songs, ever written, and the tale it tells is still powerful today, even though ten years have elapsed since its  initial release.  I cannot watch this video without weeping.  "Oklahoma" was featured on Billy Gilman's first CD, "One Voice".  The "Oklahoma" MP3 can be purchased from this Amazon.com link:  Oklahoma - Billy Gilman  Please click on the video widgets below for a powerful emotional experience.

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Ronan Parke │ An Extraordinary Singer

In this edition of Angelic Voices we are featuring the extraordinary Ronan Parke.  He is from the city of Norwich in the U.K.  Ronan recently wowed audiences on the Britain's Got Talent television show.  His website can be found at this link: Ronan Parke - Official Website  Incidentally, Ronan has a brand new CD for sale that can be purchased from this Amazon.com link: Ronan Parke CD  Ronan does a fantastic job singing a cover of Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles".

Kids Will Rock You

Kids Will Rock You was formed in France to provide the soundtracks for a series of Evian water TV commercials.  They specialized in doing cool covers of rock-and-roll classics.  Quite unexpectedly though, they became overnight musical sensations in France and Germany, and produced two CDs that were best sellers.  The members of the group are: Boys - Andre, Mark, Africa, Nick, Matthew, Benedict, Charles and Girls:  Jared, Georgia, Jessica, Emily, Christina, Lauren MC, Lauren MO.  In this edition of Angelic Voices we feature them in two outstanding videos: "We Will Rock You", and "That's The Way I Like It".  Please click on this Amazon.com link to purchase the CD by Kids Will Rock You that contains all of these songs:  Kids Will Rock You

 

 
"We Will Rock You" 

 
"That's The Way I Like It"

Valentin Vierling │ Recherché

Angelic Voices was very fortunate to be able to do an exclusive interview with Valentin Vierling, the extraordinary singer from France.  The events that made this interview possible are quite unique.  Valentin was doing a Google search of his name, and bingo, Angelic Voices popped up at the top of the Google search engine results.  So naturally, Valentin logged on to Angelic Voices, and left a comment on the post that I had made about him.  It was that comment that led me to make contact with Valentin, and his mother Nadège Vierling, and I asked them if it would be possible to do an exclusive interview with Valentin for Angelic Voices.  I was so happy when they agreed and said "yes".  I asked Valentin a series of questions, and Nadège who is fluent in English, translated the questions into French for Valentin to answer, then very graciously, translated his answers back into English, so that they could be shared with all of Valentin's fans on Angelic Voices.  So, without further ado, here is Angelic Voices' exclusive interview with the magnificent Valentin Vierling.

1.  What is it about singing that you like the most?

"I love to make people feel good through my singing, and it also makes me feel good inside to be able to do that.  I love to communicate with people through my songs."

2.  Do you have a vocal coach?

"Yes, I do have a vocal coach.  Her name is Carole Duval and I have been studying with her for five years now.  I meet with her once a week.  The rest of the time I practice alone at home."

3.  How long have you been singing for the general public?

"I first sang in public at the age of eight.  I am now thirteen, so I have been singing for five years now."

4.  When you are singing, what kinds of thoughts go through your mind?

"Each time I sing, I imagine myself in the future, on a big stage, for example, like that at the Paris Olympia (the Paris Olympia is the oldest music theater in France, and it is also one of the most famous musical, and theater venues in the world).  I always imagine that I am a famous singer.  I don't know why though.  Maybe, it just gives me energy."

5.  What are some of your favorite songs?

"It actually depends on the time I am singing.  At the moment I really love "SOS D'Un Terrien En Détresse', because even though it is a difficult song, I love the feelings, the sensations that it give me when I sing it.  I also like "In Your Hands".  It's quite different.  I love all of the songs that I sing.  If I don't like a song, I can't sing it well."

6.  How do you feel when you are onstage?  For example; happy, nervous, apprehensive, excited etc.

"It is a strange mix of different feelings, for example; happiness or sadness.  It actually depends on the song.  When I sing the songs of Grégory Lemarchal, I am sad because he died a few years ago, and I really loved him."

7.  How long does it take you to prepare a new song before you present it on stage?

"It depends on the song.  Some songs are easy, and it only takes me one day to learn them.  Others songs are more difficult and they may take me a few weeks to learn."

8.  Do you have CDs or MP3s for sale?

"As of yet I don't have any CDs or MP3s for sale, but I hope to have some for sale in the near future."

9.  How often do you give concerts?

"It depends on the time period.  For example, last summer, I sang in concerts twice a week.  I also did commercial animations for some supermarkets a few times.  Last week I sang for some old people, and in a few weeks from now, I will be appearing in a cabaret with a magician, and later on I will do a Christmas show.  So I do perform a lot."

10.  Do you plan to make singing your professional career?

"Yes, of course!"

11.  What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

"I like popular songs, folk songs, French songs, and musical comedies."

12.  Who are some of your favorite recording artists?

"I like Patrick Fiori, Grégory Lemarchal, Christophe Maé, and Charlie Winston."

13.  Do you have any hobbies?

"Besides singing, I really enjoy bicycling."

14.  Do you speak any foreign languages?

"I speak English and Spanish, but I am still learning those languages."

15.  What are some of your favorite movies?

"I like the 'Star Wars' movies, the James Bond movies, and 'The Simpsons'.  I like a lot of American movies."

16.  What are your favorite foods?

"I love to eat just about anything, but my favorite foods are chocolate, cakes and sweets."

17.  Do you plan someday to perform in operas?
 
"Yes, I was asked a few weeks ago to sing in the Tunis Opera (Tunisia) in July 2011.  I will have more details about that shortly and I will share that information with you."

18.  Have you concertized in other countries besides France?

"Yes, I performed twice in 2009, and 2010, at the 'Zlanta Pahulja Festival' in Montenegro.  I came in second in 2009, and in 2010 I was awarded a special prize."

19.  What do you think about American popular music in general?

"I love some American music, but they are some songs that I don't like because they don't feel 'true'".

20.  Is there anything that you would like to say to your fans on Angelic Voices?

"I am very happy that you love my music, and I hope to meet all of you someday at one of my concerts."

Wow, that was some interview!  Angelic Voices feels very privileged, and blessed that Valentin, and Nadège took the time to answer all of our questions.  Please log on to Valentin's YouTube channel for many more videos at this link:  Valentin's YouTube Channel  In 2008 he was the winner of the highly competitive  L'Ecole des Stars. When he was interviewed by the judges of that competition he was very likable and displayed a wonderful boyish charm.  He is an excellent singer with natural grace and poise.  In this edition of Angelic Voices, we are presenting Valentin in a double play.  In the video widgets below he sings two songs.  The first song is the incredibly difficult "Le Manége (The Ride)"  that was composed by French singer and composer  Stanislas.  I've listened to Stanislas' version of   "Le Manége", which is great, but I prefer Valentin's rendition because of its youthful innocence and sensitive pathos.  I just love that bowler hat the wears in the video.  It's the perfect touch to a very classy performance and image.  In the second video he performs "Con Te Partirò (With You I Will Leave)" the signature song of Andrea Bocelli, composed by Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto.  Valentin continues to perform in France and elsewhere.  He will go far in the music business, because he is very talented and loves music with all of his heart.  Valentin, May The Peace And Love Of Pure Angel Light, Bless You And Your Career. 

 

"Le Manége (The Ride)"

"Con Te Partirò (With You I Will Leave)"

Libera │ The Extraordinary Choir From Great Britain

The music of Libera sustained me during a very dark period of my life.  In the year 2000 I was undergoing an intense personal crisis and quite serendipitously I discovered Libera on the Hearts Of Space radio show that is featured weekly on National Public Radio.  This particular program was called "Ascension".  One of the songs that was played was "Jubilate" by Libera.  Mind you I had not heard of Libera before, but when I heard that song, it was as if a warm beam of light came upon me and lit up my soul.  For the first time in a year, I felt like a "real" person again.  From then on I listened religiously to the Hearts of Space program hoping to hear more music from Libera.  In this edition of Angelic Voices we are featuring a triple-header, a troika, if you will, of Libera's music from their "Peace (Luxury Edition)" album.  The songs are:  "Time", "Deep Peace (Gaelic Blessing)", and "Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)".  The "Peace (Luxury Edition)" MP3 album can be purchased from this Amazon.com link: Peace (Luxury Edition) [+Digital Booklet]  The official Libera website can be found at this link: Libera - Official Website   May The Music Of Libera Bring Peace And Joy Into Your life.

"Time"

"Deep Peace (Gaelic Blessing)"

"Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)"