Jussi Björling - Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte (Sibelius) - live 1957

[Grotrian192]

extraordinaire, au delà de tous les mots! Sublime et terrible!

[VivaRenata]

This time AfroPoli really shot himself in the foot. He feels free to complain about how certain tenors don't respect the score, and yet here Björling does the same. He sacrifices rhythmic stringency for what he thinks is passionate expression, he slips up on several crucial words. No matter how beautiful some find his voice, you will find a better and more musical interpretation by Kirsten Flagstad. She sets the standard as far as Sibelius is concerned.

[AfroPoli]

@VivaRenata I could agree with you, had Flagstad's voice not been completely wrecked by the time she made that record... Just listen to the strain in her voice when she attempts that G-sharp. Yuck!

[VivaRenata]

@AfroPoli Using the words "wrecked" and "Flagstad" in the same sentence is tantamount to sacrilege. One of her great virtues was that, having perfect pitch, she never sacrificed the accuracy of the score even if some B's and C's were uncomfortable even in her earlier years. I don't hear her reaching for that G-sharp - I seriously wonder which recording you got hold of.

[AfroPoli]

@VivaRenata 1. Sacrilege would be a word used by religious fanatics. Are you maybe some kind of Flagtad fundamentalist? Your comment strongly suggests that. 2. How "having problems with high Bs" and "perfect pitch" can be put in the same sentence will remain a mystery forever. 3. I got hold of the only record there is. An LP as scratchy as the soprano's voice.

If you enjoy musical accuracy sung by voiceless singers, may I kindly recommend Dietrich Fischer Dieskau? You might enjoy his stuff...

[VivaRenata]

@AfroPoli 1. Yes, I am a Flagstad fundamentalist. My pilgrimage to Flagstad's birthplace in Hamar means more to me than any visit to St. Peter's. 2. You should know better. She hits those notes, even if they sometimes were thin. She would rather allow that than sing them flat. And, when she felt that the C really wasn't there, Schwarzkopf could jump in for a couple of 8th notes. Big deal! 3. That recording is not scratchy and neither was her voice - ever!

[Kilchattan7]

The man!!!!

[pattipie100]

@Kilchattan7 Hope you had fun..JB I know because of you.

[vpo2g2]

Prime Jussi. Terrific song.

[ValentinLundin]

the best

[XP11XP]

Martti Similä died on 9 January 1958, one month after this concert. Yes, and this is one of J. B.'s best recordings! Magnificent!

[Imogenn]

Not only beautiful singing, but what an excellent video as well - lovely images!

[Lalitamusic]

Incredible!!!! Thanks for sharing this.

Lalita