The Jewish American tenor, Jan Peerce (real name, Jacob Pincus Perelmuth), grew up in the New York City streets, and attended De Witt Clinton High School and Columbia University. He took violin lessons, and gave public performances; sometimes he also sang and it was soon discovered he was an exceptional lyric tenor.
In 1932 he was hired as a tenor soloist with the Radio City Music Hall company. Thanks to its radio broadcasts and stage programs, Peerce soon had a nationwide following. This led to concert engagements, and then he made his operatic debut in May 1938 in Philadelphia as the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto, followed by his first solo recital in New York in November 1939.
The legendary maestro Arturo Toscanini heard him and found him to be the tenor he had sought to sing operatic and choral works with the NBC Symphony Orchestra. The recordings made during, or following, the NBC broadcasts are among the outstanding musical legacies of our time. Toscanini was reportedly pleased with Peerce's professionalism, as well as his extraordinary musical talents; many have said that Peerce may have been Toscanini's "favorite tenor" during the Maestro's 17 years at NBC.
Peerce made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera Company on November 29, 1941, singing Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata. He sang also the parts of Cavaradossi in Tosca, Rodolfo in La Bohème, and in Gounod’s Faust. He was hailed by the critics as the "All-American successor to the 'greats' of opera's almost extinct 'Golden Age.'"
In 1943 he appeared in the OWI film, Hymn of the Nations, with Toscanini, the NBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Westminster Choir in a performance of Verdi's seldom-heard choral work. Filmed in NBC Studio 8-H, the performance has been issued on video cassette and DVD.
In 1956 Peerce made a sensation in Moscow as a musical "cultural exchange" ambassador, being the first American to sing with the famed Bolshoi Theatre opera. He remained on the staff of the Metropolitan until 1966, appearing again in 1966-1967. He also taught a master class. In 1971 he made his Broadway debut as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. He continued to make occasional appearances until his retirement in 1982, remaining in very fine voice. He was the brother-in-law of fellow Jewish American tenor Richard Tucker.
Peerce was also at home on the concert stage and in solo recital.
He died in New York City.
Peerce recorded almost exclusively for RCA Victor as a "Red Seal" artist. Among his first recordings was as a featured soloist in Nathaniel Shilkret's 1939 tribute album to Victor Herbert. That same year Peerce was the tenor soloist in Toscanini's broadcast concert of Beethoven's ninth symphony, but it would be years before the Maestro would approve one of his performances of that symphony for commercial release.
Peerce sang in Toscanini's 1944 broadcasts of Beethoven's Fidelio, followed by the complete performances of Verdi's La Traviata, Puccini's La Boheme, and Verdi's A Masked Ball, all eventually released on LP and CD. (Peerce did not sing in Toscanini's broadcasts of Verdi's Otello or Falstaff.) He also sang in the Madison Square Garden concert in 1944, which featured the final act of Rigoletto with Toscanini conducting the combined New York Philharmonic and NBC Symphony Orchestra; this performance was recorded and also released on LP and CD. In 1952, he participated in Toscanini's recording sessions of Beethoven's ninth symphony, which were finally released commercially on the RCA Victor label.
His best-selling recording, however, was a popular song, "Bluebird of Happiness."
He made several stereophonic recordings in the 1950s and 1960s for RCA, then gradually curtailed his recording projects. Most of his major recordings have been released on CD.
For Columbia Masterworks Records, Peerce sang the title role in a 1963 recording of selections from Sigmund Romberg's The Student Prince, opposite Roberta Peters, and also featuring Giorgio Tozzi. This has not yet been released on CD.
Without a Song
Jan Peerce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a song the road would never bend
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
Without a song
That field of corn would never see a plow
That field of corn would be deserted now
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without a song
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll-a never know what makes that rain to fall
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
The lyrics to Jan Peerce's song "Without A Song" emphasize the significance of music in a person's life. The song suggests that without music, life would be incomplete, and man would be unable to survive the hardships of life. The first verse of the song highlights the feeling of loneliness in the absence of music. It suggests that without a song, life would be monotonous and never-ending. Music provides a sense of relief and breaks the monotony of life. Similarly, the second verse indicates that music has the ability to motivate and inspire people during tough times. Without music, man would lack the support he needs to overcome his troubles.
The song's chorus emphasizes the importance of a musical soul. The Jordan river symbolizes the hardships of life, and the song suggests that as long as a person possesses a strong musical soul, they can overcome their problems and survive the challenges of life. The final verse of the song indicates that music is a natural phenomenon, and it is one of life's essential elements. Without music, life would be incomplete, and man would be unable to experience true love and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a song the day would never end
A song gives life and brings joy to the day, making it more meaningful and fulfilling.
Without a song the road would never bend
A song inspires and motivates us to keep going on the long and winding roads of life, giving us hope and direction.
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
When life gets tough, we need the comfort and solace of a song to help us get through the hard times, as friends may not always be there.
That field of corn would never see a plow
Without the rhythm and melody of a song, the beauty and potential of everyday life may never be realized, just like an un-plowed field.
That field of corn would be deserted now
A world without music and song would be a lonely and desolate place, just like an abandoned cornfield.
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without the power and influence of music and art, life would be incomplete and lacking in purpose and direction.
I got my trouble and woe but, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
Despite the challenges and struggles of life, there is always hope and a promise of something better, as symbolized by the Jordan River.
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
A song that resonates deep within us can help us persevere and overcome any obstacles in our path.
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
There are many mysteries in life, but music and song can help bring clarity and understanding to the unknown.
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
There are many things in nature that are unfathomable, but music can help us appreciate and marvel at their beauty and complexity.
I only know there ain't no love at all without a song
Love and emotion are at the heart of music and song, and without them, life would be empty and devoid of passion and connection.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
grandmamoosie
I have loved this song for over 65 years (yup I'm that old) My father, who loved to sing sang this to me for the first time when I was 9 years old and I haven't thought about it for a long time. My husband recently go a cd with laurence tibbett singing it, beautiful to be sure, but hearing Jan Peerce and that clear "bell like" voice is the best I've ever heard. Thank you for having this on youtube. Nothing like the voice of Jan Peerce!
Very Silly☢🍓
I never really knew my grandfather. He died when I was two years old. I shed one tear for my loss while writing this as my memory of him playing this on our Victrola comes back into my mind.
A Piece of my forgotten ancestory, a piece of my heart, taken too early. I finally found a song to remember him by.
Michaelbos
I have this by Mario Lanza and he does a good job. And to hear this from the Great Jan Peerce is a plus.
Gacha rose
My mother met Jan peerce, at an after perfomence party, given by nelly diamond. It was her thrill, of a lifetime.
nod bod
I like it. I still think Mario Lanza sang it very well.
Bradley Monroe
That's because Mario Lanza did the interpolated high B natural.
JockamoGoon
Can you use this for a musical theater portion in an audition? It's from Great Day, I think... Sings better than Maria, that's for sure...
Bradley Monroe
It is from Great Day.