It's tempting to say Camilla Kerslake has the kind … Read Full Bio ↴Camilla Kerslake
It's tempting to say Camilla Kerslake has the kind of voice that can hush a crowd or cause it to roar approval, one that can bring tears to the eyes or make the human heart soar. But the fact is that there isn't a 'kind of' voice like Camilla's. Hers really is that rare and elusive thing, a one-of-a-kind. "I listened to her demo and instantly was captivated by it," admits Gary Barlow. "It's a unique and powerful instrument." The singer-songwriter, Take That star and astute businessman didn't stop at pure admiration though. Certain of her potential for future success, he sought immediately to sign her to his new record label, Future, and declares himself excited to have brought her on board. Now, with Camilla's debut album scheduled for autumn release, one thing is certain - a new star is most definitely born.
More than a little daunting, perhaps, for an artist who has only just turned 21 to find herself plucked from music school and put into the recording studio with producer Mike Hedges, famed for his work with U2, the Manic Street Preachers and Dido among many highly-successful others. Luckily Camilla, while hugely grateful for the good fortune that has befallen her, is also secure in her musical gift and in her sense of self. As such, she is remaining grounded and is taking the experience in her stride. "Gary's one of the biggest talents in the whole of the British music industry and an amazing mentor. How lucky am I? Any advice he gives me is going to be incredible." Equally, she is learning daily about what does and does not suit her pure and vaulting classical voice, a coloratura soprano.
Just how wide is its range, incidentally? "On a good day and with the wind behind me, I've got about four octaves." Even so, it's not an operatic voice? "Katherine Jenkins is operatic, being a trained vocalist with a rich and fully-rounded sound. I, on the other hand, being previously untrained (Camilla is now working with the head of musical theatre at the Royal Academy Mary Hammond to strengthen and preserve her vocal chords) am more like a boy soprano, someone who can sing so lightly and so high that, in the upper ranges, I become almost like an instrument. And that's why the material we've chosen is not operatic crossover but classical, to which my voice lends itself so much better." Hence audiences will be introduced to Camilla via her interpretations of music that has been loved not just for months or years but, in many cases, for centuries.
None of which will be surprising to anyone who knows her well, not least her mother Deborah. "If anything, mum's more of a Celine Dion fan but says that strangely, when she was pregnant with me, all she ever wanted to do was sit with a big bag of oranges on her lap, listening to classical music. She like to think it was me, urging her in that direction." Born in London but brought up until the age of eight outside of Auckland on New Zealand's North Island, Camilla says she herself seemed always to gravitate towards serious music. "A teacher at my primary school told mum at a parents' evening, 'most kids come in singing nursery rhymes but your daughter sings opera.' I was five at the time." And so it went on, even after the family's return to the UK to live. No peer pressure to change, as she grew older? Camilla laughs and shakes her head.
"My mother's a psychotherapist, she raised me to be secure and happy in myself, so peer pressure wasn't really a big issue. That's not to say I didn't know it was uncool for a kid to listen to opera ... Of course I knew. It just didn't bother me because I loved it." Even so, she remembers precisely the moment at which she was made aware that she had a gift few others possess. "I was 14 and in detention in the music room after school for having chucked a pencil at a friend during lessons. Our teacher was late arriving so I started messing around on the piano, hamming up the title song from The Sound of Music. You know, 'The hills are alive...' As I went up the register, the other kids who'd been kept behind were all saying, 'Wow, that's so high!', and just for fun I went higher and higher and it was at that point the teacher walked in ...
"He'd been listening outside and said to me, 'Do you realise you've just sung half an octave higher than the highest note ever written for the human voice?' My gran and my mum both have great voices and because we'd always sung around the house I'd never thought my voice was anything special but suddenly it dawned on me how well people responded to my voice and that I might just have something different, something that shouldn't be wasted." So, semi-reluctantly, out of the window went triple science lessons and plans to be a doctor, and after 'A' levels, I auditioned for Guildford's Academy of Contemporary Music. "For the first two years the concentration was on learning to use my voice properly and on reading music. Then I went on to a two-year course on the business aspects of the music industry." But just three months in, Camilla's life changed irrevocably.
Having saved up enough money to buy studio time locally, and singing with a £2.99 backing track, Camilla recorded her own versions of two classic pieces, 'Ave Maria' and 'Pie Jesu' to show off her remarkable voice. Armed with the knowledge that Take That were recording at London's Sarm Studios at the time, Camilla turned up on an almost daily basis hoping to give Gary Barlow the demos. Having received numerous copies of Camilla's demo over a four-week period, Gary finally relented and listened. In true fairytale fashion, he loved what he heard. Soon after Camilla sang those two songs live for Gary who immediately offered to sign her to his record label.
Now begins the countdown to the release of that debut album, newly recorded in Ireland. The acclaimed Sally Herbert has provided the choral and orchestral arrangements to what is a succession of quite literally breathtaking performances, ones for which all vocal arrangements have been supplied by Camilla herself. "I've put my heart and soul into this - we all have," the new young star says. "I believe you can tell that when you listen to the album. It's very relaxing, very spiritual, but also uplifting and, I think, beautiful. I just hope that the emotions I felt while performing the songs will transmit to the listeners and make this a really inclusive experience. I want to move them in the way that I myself was moved." There's no doubt but that she is right in her summation. Camilla Kerslake has a quite extraordinary vocal gift and here and now begins what should be a remarkable career.
In the Bleak Midwinter
Camilla Kerslake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart
The song "In The Bleak Midwinter" by Camilla Kerslake is a classic Christmas carol that speaks of the harsh and unforgiving nature of winter, and contrasts it with the warmth and love of the baby Jesus. The opening lines paint a picture of a frozen landscape, with frosty winds, hard earth and frozen water. Yet amidst this bleakness and desolation, the beauty of the snow is still present, layer upon layer, accumulating and creating a pure white blanket.
As the song progresses, it turns to the story of the birth of Jesus, and emphasizes the idea that even though he is the Lord God Almighty, he came into the world in a humble and simple stable. The contrast between the grandeur of heaven and the humility of the human birthplace of Jesus is further emphasized by the line "our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain".
The final verse speaks of the desire to give something to Jesus, to express gratitude for his love and sacrifice. The singer acknowledges their poverty, and expresses a willingness to give all that they have, even if it is just their own heart.
Overall, "In The Bleak Midwinter" is a poignant reminder of the beauty and complexity of the Christmas story, and perhaps also a commentary on the harsh realities of life and how we can find hope and love even amidst the desolation.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
Amidst a cold and desolate winter, the wind howled with a mournful sound,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
The ground was frozen and unyielding, the water frozen solid like a rock;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
The snow had been falling relentlessly, layer upon layer, covering everything in a sea of white;
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
This was a long time ago in the midst of winter, when it was bleak and cold.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
Our God is so great and powerful that neither heaven nor earth can contain Him;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
When He comes to rule, even heaven and earth will bow before Him and be shaken to their very foundations.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
In the midst of such a harsh and unforgiving winter, a humble stable was enough to provide shelter;
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
The all-powerful Lord God was present in the form of Jesus Christ, lying in a manger in that stable.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Perhaps even angels and archangels came to celebrate His birth in that humble stable;
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
It's possible that even the heavenly hosts, like the cherubim and seraphim, filled the air with their presence;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
But among all those in attendance, only His mother, full of joyful wonder, truly understood and worshiped Him;
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
She showed her love for Him through an affectionate gesture, kissing Him in adoration.
What can I give him, poor as I am?
As someone who lacks worldly wealth, influence, or power, what gift could I possibly offer Him?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a lowly shepherd, I would present a lamb as a token of my gratitude and regard;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
If I were one of the wise and learned, I would offer my knowledge and wisdom to help honour Him;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart
Yet in the end, all I can truly give Him is the gift of my own heart, my love and devotion.
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jaigb
A Beautiful version of probably my all time favourite carol. I could listen to Camilla's voice all day.
jenette1506
i love this song. sounds beautiful especially this version. thank you for posting this video
Tricia R
Beautiful Voice. Beautiful Interpretation of a gorgeous christmas carol!
Pauline Mitchell
Lovely version of this carol,originally written by Christina Rossetti in response to a request for a Christmas poem, and set to music later by Gustav Holst. It is one of my favourite carols and Camilla does it justice,and if only Christina and Gustav could hear and see her sing it. Camilla has a different voice to Faryl but IIm a fan of both of them and have their albums. Camilla has a great future ahead of her as has Faryl and it is nice to have classical singers and albums in the charts.
Marymarcella
simply astounding!
Tricia R
best version of this carol EVER
dwny New York
Absolutely beautiful. But it would be better if she includes the best part of the song - the last stanza.
"What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart."
wolfintn
best one I found on youtube.
QigongEnigma
Beautiful xxx
georgercop
add some extra zeroes (is that how you spell it? =P ) onto the end of the 5 to get a more accurate score =D