James Bowman (1941-2023)

[smittims]

HQS 1281 ! I remember it well. I think it sold quite well, too, for what was then rather a specialist disc.

[Simon Biazeck]

A wonderful, warm character coming over there. One of my early LPs:

Yes, indeed! It's an all-to-brief and delightful interview. He downplays his acting ability, which was perfectly fine, and could be quite naughty onstage, but as soon as he started singing, the vocal and artistic presence was spell-binding, appropriately. Vale.

~SBz.

[pastoralguy]

Very sad news.

RIP

[Bryn]

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical%20music%20news/article/james-bowman-much-loved-countertenor-has-died-aged-81?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2YChsaGp4z7ZPL827dgzNUPhDvYGZEsDL6Ydg4Yruu8789xE6cX_07NYk#Echobox=1680004590

[french frank]

HQS 1281 ! I remember it well. I think it sold quite well, too, for what was then rather a specialist disc.

Eureka - different sleeve but the 1972 recording. My favourite song on that LP: Eliza is the Fairest Queen

[ardcarp]

I mentioned his passing on The Choir, not realising there was a thread here already Anyway one cannot sing enough praise for that amazing voice....and man,

[W.Kearns]

So sad. A singer of such intelligence with such an amazing, beautiful voice. RIP.

[MickyD]

I'm sure this has been shared elsewhere on the forum, but it is so engaging and a fitting tribute this great singer and colleague.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3hF4X3f6Bw

~SBz.

Thanks for this, never seen it before.

[Simon Biazeck]

Thanks for this, never seen it before.

You're welcome!

~SBz.

[Keraulophone]

Another special disc is of the Queen Anne Birthday Ode with the AAM - the opening 'Eternal Light Divine' movement is just wonderful.

I was going to say the same thing, and it's hard to warm to any soprano singing it after hearing the sublime James Bowman. One of the greats of our time, and a huge inspiration to younger countertenors.

Andreas Scholl has posted: "a friend of the family copied an LP of Handel’s Oratorio "Saul“ to audio cassette back then with James Bowman singing the role of "David“. Ever since that moment James was my idol and role model. In 1992 when I sung my "Diplomkonzert“ at the Schola Cantorum in Basel I suggested James Bowman as external examiner and he made the trip from England to hear a 24 year old German Counterenor in his exam concerts. To me that was one of the most memorable moments of my musical life, having my hero in the audience... Apart from his amazing qualities as a singer James stayed a wonderfully generous and kind man throughout his entire career. Few musicians manage to do that in such a graceful, effortless manner, since success brings too may temptations that potentially feed the ego."

[Frances_iom]

Nice guy - met him several times as he appeared at Essex University in the 70s (along with the Gabrielli quartet! - magic years) - his brother was in charge of the computing service.

[richardfinegold]

Nice guy - met him several times as he appeared at Essex University in the 70s (along with the Gabrielli quartet! - magic years) - his brother was in charge of the computing service.

Does he Sing "Sound the trumpets" on David Munrow's Purcel albums? I played that for my wife when we were dating and it's still one of her favorite records. I burned it to a server years ago and no longer have any useful liner notes

[smittims]

Your memory serves you well, Richard. James Bowman and Charles Brett were the duetting countertenors in 'Sound the Trumpet' on David Munrow's HMV LP of 'Come ye sons of Art' (ASD 3166). I remember it well: a nice 'antique' cream and brown sleeve.

[cat]

Telegraph Obituary: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituari...-britten-sing/

Nothing on BBC News yet, has his passing been mentioned on R3?

[DoctorT]

I went to hear him once with Hogwood and the AAM. Unfortunately he was indisposed and Charles Brett deputised. I still have the programme signed by CH