The expressive voice

Here's a great example of the expressive power of a perfectly-trained and naturally super-gifted voice. A very simple song by Schumann, rendered full of twists and turns by Bryn Terfel's talent and gift.



Notice also how almost unwatchable all the mugging is. But a stoneface is hardly any better. I believe there is a great problem here that goes unacknowledged by the lovers of lieder: There simply isn't a good way to perform it. I like performing from the piano, as it allows me to enter into the song in what feels like a more authentic way, inhabiting it rather than presenting it. But of course that's not a solution for the vast, vast majority of singers.