William Warfield's guest appearances

William Warfield

WGTD's The Morning Show with Greg Berg 

Countermelody

Shirley Verrett

Bill Clinton

Marlo Thomas

Emily Dickinson

Joe Kenda

Kathleen Kennedy

Jane Fonda

Pete Buttigieg

George Gershwin

Debbie Ford

Jimmy Carter

Jerry Lewis

P.J. O'Rourke

Paul Robeson

Eileen Farrell

OwlTail

This week’s subject is one of the towering figures of 20th century music: the African American bass-baritone William Warfield (1920–2002). Though he sprang to prominence as Joe in the 1951 MGM remake of Show Boat and as Porgy opposite his then-wife Leontyne Price in the US State Department-sponsored 1952 international tour of Porgy and Bess, in my opinion his greatest accomplishments were as a concert singer. This episode focuses on his performances of Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs, his interpretations of German lieder, and, from later in his career, his narration of Copland’s A Lincoln Portrait and the poetry of Langston Hughes. I knew William Warfield, universally known to his students and younger colleagues as “Uncle Bill,” when I was one of the accompanists in his vocal studio at the University of Illinois where I was obtaining my master’s degree. His kindness and his dedication to his craft inspired us all to give of our best. It is my privilege to celebrate the unique and multi-faceted artistry of this unforgettable and treasurable man.Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel’s lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” Occasional guests from the “business” (singers, conductors, composers, coaches, and teachers) lend their distinctive insights. At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. Please visit the Countermelody website (www.countermelodypodcast.com) for additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. And please head to my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/countermelody to pledge your monthly support at whatever level you can afford. Bonus episodes available only to Patreon supporters are currently available.

This week’s subject is one of the towering figures of 20th century music: the African American bass-baritone William Warfield (1920–2002). Though he sprang to prominence as Joe in the 1951 MGM remake of Show Boat and as Porgy opposite his then-wife Leontyne Price in the US State Department-sponsored 1952 international tour of Porgy and Bess, in my opinion his greatest accomplishments were as a concert singer. This episode focuses on his performances of Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs, his interpretations of German lieder, and, from later in his career, his narration of Copland’s A Lincoln Portrait and the poetry of Langston Hughes. I knew William Warfield, universally known to his students and younger colleagues as “Uncle Bill,” when I was one of the accompanists in his vocal studio at the University of Illinois where I was obtaining my master’s degree. His kindness and his dedication to his craft inspired us all to give of our best. It is my privilege to celebrate the unique and multi-faceted artistry of this unforgettable and treasurable man.<br><br>Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel’s lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” Occasional guests from the “business” (singers, conductors, composers, coaches, and teachers) lend their distinctive insights. At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. Please visit the Countermelody website (<a href="http://www.countermelodypodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.countermelodypodcast.com</a>) for additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. And please head to my Patreon page at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/countermelody" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/countermelody</a> to pledge your monthly support at whatever level you can afford. Bonus episodes available only to Patreon supporters are currently available.

Episode 76. William Warfield (BHM 2021 IV)

For Black History Month, here is an archival interview with the great American bass-baritone William Warfield, who is best known to the American public for his memorable appearance as Joe in the 1951 MGM film "Showboat" - and for his historic performances as Porgy opposite the Bess of Leontyne Price.  After the end of his singing career, he was a distinguished voice teacher at Northwestern University.   This interview was recorded sometime in the late 1990's.  

<p>For Black History Month, here is an archival interview with the great American bass-baritone William Warfield, who is best known to the American public for his memorable appearance as Joe in the 1951 MGM film "Showboat" - and for his historic performances as Porgy opposite the Bess of Leontyne Price.  After the end of his singing career, he was a distinguished voice teacher at Northwestern University.   This interview was recorded sometime in the late 1990's.  </p>

The Morning Show - 2/9/20 William Warfield