Jussi Björling, Zueignung, Richard Strauss (Live in 1959)

[FredrikJComposer]

I listened to this wonderful recording twice, and the second time I was moved to tears. Now I clearly understand why he was such a giant in the opera world and to the people of Sweden. I've heard that almost everyone in the country could recognize his voice when played on the radio. And now I can also clearly understand why he was said to sing with "a tear in his voice" - to me, his voice in this recording is full of doubt and suffering. Tack Jussi för din underbara röst.

[1938gwen]

I love Youtube!. So many opportunities to hear wonderful performances and to read comments from other music lovers. Thank you for posting this.

[ilpka]

This is Bjorling in pretty good voice but via a fairly primitive microphone system (even though technically recorded in stereo). I prefer the 1950 Telephone Hour version in good clear sound on the new 4-CD WHRA6036 set available via the JussiBjorlingSociety, can someone upload that version? I heard him sing this as an encore in his last NY concert at Hunter College, Dec.1959. Cornell MacNeil was there too and in JUSSI called it a "glorious concert...He staggered me with his vocalism."

[vhsihsphs]

If you don't think this is Bjorling, then you don't know your Bjorling! Of course this is Bjorling, and a famous recording, too. Sad to say, senesino83, but the poor thing suffered horribly with alcoholism.

[dallasbono]

This is one of my favorite recordings of Jussi, this entire recital is marvelous. This is the only live recording of him in stereo. Neither RCA or EMI were able to capture the real warmth of his voice in the studio recordings. Interesting to me to hear the bloom of his voice taken from stereo mics out in the hall.

[vpo2g2]

The recording itself is, at best, primitive

[fmercury91]

To anyone who is arguing this I want to say that this is clearly Bjorling. The sound is much darker than Bjorling circa '38, his Met Debut year. But, one must keep in mind that this Bjorling a year before he died. At this point his body had been abused quite a bit by his vices. It's going to have some effect on your voice.

[GeneralRenz]

@fmercury91

His voice here is absolutely magnificent. If this "change" (do not forget Bjorling was versatile and could easily manipulate his sound even in earlier recordings, ) was caused by bodily abuse - I better get started!

[senesino83]

@fmercury91 Can I ask what his vices were? I don't know the story :)

[MissFireMagic]

OMG! I'm melting! He's wonderful!

[herisauer]

thanks for uploading. suberb performance.

[vpo2g2]

It is of course, Bjorling, but the source recording sucks. Listen to his '58 or 55 recital

[baritenor81]

sorry, this is not björling!

[maxorato66]

@baritenor81 Of course he is Björling. Is a concert at the Glenn Memorial Auditorium in Atlanta (Georgia, USA), 13 - 4 - 1959., with Frederick Schauwecker at the piano.

I know his voice sounds different to the early years, but I have all his recordings. This is from Myto Records.

[baritenor81]

Oh my god! I would never have guessed that!

[Bla7695976565486]

It sounds slightly closer due to compression ( boosted volume) i guess, also some of the distortions from the original recording is gone, nice software :)

Could you upload "en svane" ( track 14 ) as well ?

If i had access to any good video editing software i would do it myself, but alas :(

[baritenor81]

@maxorato66 hmm, thanx! unbeleivable! :-) although i have to admit that i haven't been listening to him that much...

[GeneralRenz]

@maxorato66 if one cannot tell that this is Jussi, his ears need more training.

[tat1685]

@baritenor81 Who do you think it is?

[Webarton]

@baritenor81 looooooooool ofcourse it is.

[GeneralRenz]

@baritenor81

Definitely Bjorling!

[MariadelMonaco]

He sings it so lovely. He had such a great voice. It is so full of heart. Just wonderful!