Genre-Crossing Between Classical Music and Pop

Genre-crossing between classical music and pop makes for some interesting or just plain funny creations. These are 5 crossovers that work in their own strange way.

Jingle Bells

My fascination with this phenomena started with a bargain bin cassette tape of tenor Jose Carreras singing Jingle Bells. I found people either hated it or thought it was very funny. I thought it was very funny until the tape disappeared years ago. I still suspect foul play by one of the people who hated it. Now, I discover this crossover song is actually online where it can entertain or annoy millions of people for free.

Perhaps Love

Jose Carreras is much funnier than tenor Placido Domingo. Perhaps Love is the title track for an album of the same name most famous for this duet featuring Domingo and pop singer John Denver. It's not as much of a stretch considering that Domingo often sings popular Spanish songs. Even this album is sometimes quite good although it's the last Domingo album I would take to a deserted island.

The Windmills of Your Mind

This is probably the best known song on soprano Jessye Norman's crossover album I Was Born in Love with You featuring her collaboration with Michel Legrand who is best known for his pop film scores of the 60's and 70's. Norman's voice is very big for this material, but it has some nice moments especially on the French songs.

I'll Be Seeing You

Again, this is the most famous song on tenor Ben Heppner's pop crossover album My Secret Heart. Personally, I think this album is one of the most successful examples of an opera singer crossing over to pop. Heppner is especially moving singing British ballads popular around the time of the two world wars. I have a weakness for such lyrics, and Heppner gives them new life.

The Birds Will Still Be Singing

This is probably the best track on Elvis Costello's' remarkable album done with the Brodsky Quartet. Costello's lyrics are so intelligent, they hold up well to an accompaniment by strings. On the other hand, Costello's voice sometimes sounds weak set to a string quartet. Still, it's another intriguing crossover by an artist who started out being labeled a punk.