MasterClass Monday: David Archuleta and Nathan Pacheco Perform A Singularly Magnificent Version Of The Prayer

January 18, 2016 by Masterclass Lady 6 Comments


 David Archuleta, Nathan Pacheco, The Prayer 

Update: I just received an email from Richard Parkinson that he did not arrange this song. I trusted a site source and should have gone to the main source – Richard.  However, I still know Richard to be an incredible arranger and he has worked with many singers, including David Archuleta, in the past to create inspiring musical arrangements. 

I guess you’ll just have to trust me when I say this is the most moving rendition of The Prayer I have ever heard in my entire life of hearing endless upon endless versions of this beautiful David Foster composition. 

And, I suspect, some of you will agree with me and the rest of you – I guess – will have to play  the “agree to disagree” game with me. It wouldn’t be the first time.  Ha! 

First of all, you rarely, if ever, hear two impeccable MALE vocalists perform this number. It was written for a female/male combo and, up until this point, I have enjoyed this gender collaboration very much. 

However, the pairing of David Archuleta and Nathan Pacheco is nothing short of inspired.  Although both possess uniquely distinct voices and come from different stylistic approaches to their music, what binds these two singers is their commitment to really excellent, technically secure and musically cohesive singing. 

Secondly, the arrangement, conceived and created by the very talented Richard Parkinson   (Arranger to be determined) showcases the depth, breadth and beauty of their voices while staying true to who they are as artists. Both have incredible ranges and, through this arrangement, we not only have the opportunity to see and hear every gorgeous aspect of their voices, but also see two distinctly different artists performing together while remaining true to their artistic vision.  This is very hard to achieve but achieve it they did!

Thirdly, the fact that they are physically distant from one another in this video was a superb idea. If they were standing together, this would have impeded their physical and vocal freedom and, as listeners, we would have become more aware of the difference in their performing styles.  Also, the distance between each singer added a dramatic effect to the entire song. What a great call! 

This performance is truly a brilliant masterpiece. Enjoy the video (featured below)  on this MasterClass Monday and beyond. I guarantee you will be playing this song for years to come.  

The Prayer can be purchased on iTUNES.  

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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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6 Responses to “MasterClass Monday: David Archuleta and Nathan Pacheco Perform A Singularly Magnificent Version Of The Prayer”

  1. gemzone January 18, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    Thank you so much for posting this. I always love to read your take on a performance.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Findthecure January 18, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    Thank you so much for posting!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. janey79 January 18, 2016 at 11:59 pm

    Here’s the arranger, Leo-Z, https://www.facebook.com/Leo-Z-149773531719582/?fref=ts, http://www.leo-z.net/home/index.html, https://twitter.com/Caerleon72/with_replies, https://www.instagram.com/leo_z_imagery/. They met when David performed with Nathan in Miami. Leo was the musical director of that show. https://www.instagram.com/p/86ocEEmLTo/?taken-by=leo_z_imagery

    Liked by 1 person

  4. amb4da January 19, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Always enjoy reading your viewpoint on David’s work, MCL; thanks for reviewing The Prayer. Could not agree with you more on this pairing of two beautiful voices and the arrangement & execution. I never tire of listening to it and I’m still amazed when I re-watch it all these times later.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. bluesky4home January 19, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    “Here’s another Christmas song for you, in case you missed it last year. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Another beautiful arrangement by Leo-Z (who also did “The Prayer”). Hope you enjoy!”

    Dear Masterclass Lady,
    Leo Z does a lot of Nathan’s arrangements. The quote above is from Nathan’s FB page. I also love “The Prayer”. And Leo has said that working with DA and NP is like working with two angels. Thanks for all your posts through the years. I have enjoyed them very much. Here’s hoping you will get the chance to write many more about DA. And… I wouldn’t mind if they included NP as well. My two faves. ^_^

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Masterclass Lady January 20, 2016 at 11:19 am

    BlueSky4Home – thank you so much for this information. And I do appreciate your support and kind words. I will definitely be following all 3 artists now – David, Nathan and Leo. Such truly gifted musicians. Beyond words. Thanks again.

    Liked by 2 people