How would you define Classical Crossover?

Quawkers · Joined: Jan 05, 2006 Posts: 264 Location: Duckland - Bucks

I can understand what you mean there Doppleganger. Each person in their own right interprets music as they perceive it. It is at the end of the day a very broad subject Smile

and you can debate this forever. everyone has there own interpretations.

Dottie · Joined: Jan 23, 2006 Posts: 7

Just think of these artists:they are cross-overs.In one record you will hear classical
and Pop:
Andrea Bocelli
Mario Frangoulis
Pavorotti
Domingo
Watson
Sarah Brightman and many others. Mario is my favorite Dottie Wink

Quawkers · Joined: Jan 05, 2006 Posts: 264 Location: Duckland - Bucks

Agreed.

PaulK · Joined: Jan 16, 2006 Posts: 6

Hi,

I divide classical crossover into three basic groups.

1. The first group are the artists who use classical repertoire, mainly well-known arias, in pop transcription. This started with the "Aria" album by Paul Schwartz (best classical crossover album ever recorded.... for me)
Note also East Village Opera Company who perform operatic repertoire without using operatic singing.

2. The second group are those who perform their own music using operatic singing or moods close to operatic arias. Emma Shapplin, Ariaphonics, Paul Schwartz Projects (State of Grace, Earthbound)
Perhaps this would be better termed "crossover" than "classical crossover".

3. The third group are "image-based" artists. Generally, it matters not what they sing but how they look. Age plays quite a role here as well.
For me, the first such artist was Charlotte Church, and then it was carried on by Hayley Westenra,
Amici Forever as well as Vanessa-Mae, The Bond etc.

kcuteus · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 172

classical crossover is something that so many people define as different things.

Nicola · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject:

classicjack · Joined: Feb 14, 2006 Posts: 26

The 3 Tenors did it first and probably their worth can never be achieved again. In my opinion Classical crossover has to have that artist with their roots firmly embedded in the classics - trained and to a high standard and with operatic performance experience. Smoke and mirrors doesn't work for me and too many of them are just that. No offence to those that have made it through or to their legions of fans but in the main it was sheer marketing willpower of a record label but that doesn't mean they know how to make Xover retain its popularity. It can be damaging to the genre.

Charlotte Church was a child with a pure gift of a voice. Didn't cross over though.

The Choir Boys / Jospeph McManners / G4 - not my kind of thing and hardly could describe them as crossover artists. Just jumping on the bandwagon.

Bond - based on looks and worked well especially overseas. Can play too.

The Planets - they were great while they lasted but that wasn't long and they were all classical musicians too.

Russell - the peoples tenor - broke the rules and survived as he was one of the first and with no classical training either.

Operababes - looks and classical training and a lucky break

Amici - looks, classical training and a different way of presenting their music - mixed sexes, well arranged and underpinned by the rich baritone voice who had played many an opera house too! Manufactured but clever.

Il Divo - looks, Simon Cowell and good repertoire and all classically trained with genuine opera experience. Manufactured none the less but you cannot deny or begrudge them their phenomenal success.

Nigel Kennedy - probably a genius is all I can say.

Josh Groban - like his talent, not madly keen on his voice but has made it very accessible and not complicated to understand what he is doing. Not sure why he hasn't made it bigger here?

Nick Garrett - Ex bass baritone of Amici and with all the right goods and impeccable credentials plus he plays the piano and arranges and composes too.

Bryn Terfel - the first solo classical crossover artist who is genuinely that -able to do both with equal ease.

novice · Joined: Feb 12, 2006 Posts: 554

ClassicJack, I agree the 3 Tenors did/do a great 'job' of getting classical music out to the masses. But I do think that many rock stars in earlier years have tried to bring the classics out as well - afterall where would our rock stars all be if it was not for the original 'classics'. Most Musicians and I say most because there are definately execptions to that - start with the basic classics and evolve from there... But then in my definition of classical crossover, it should somewhat remain within the range of the classical arrangements and voices... as stated by others on this subject - it means different things for different people. Nothing wrong with 'rocking' it up though - Trans Sibirian Orchestra proves just how much fun Classical music can be - unfortunately they only do it during the Christmas season...

franlee66 · Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 6

Nick Garrett 'defines' it for me (sorry about the pun Mr. Green

!!)

Franlee

Lucy · Joined: Feb 03, 2006 Posts: 38