Music Commons^™

Hugo Hasslo Speaks About Jussi Björling, Hugo Hasslo

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

(From the program of the Jussi Björling Memorial Concert, 1985, Stockholm Konserthuset)

When speaking of Jussi Björling, my Norwegian singing teacher would sometimes say, “He is unique as a singer.” And truly Jussi was utterly unique. I don’t know of anyone who sounded like an instrument as he did. He sang like an instrumentalist; that was precisely what he did naturally. He made music.

Many singers don’t seem to care much once they become famous. Jussi didn’t do that and therefore was so perfect. His enormously sharp memory surely helped. He never sang anything wrong. I admired him tremendously.

“The Researcher’S Lot Is Not An ’Appy One”, Andrew Farkas

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Wonderful people that they are, Karl and Toby Hekler no doubt have been called by nicer names or described in more flattering terms in the past. For the purpose of this report, however, let’s just called them catalysts. Many of you reading these lines attended our successful inaugural Jussi Björling Society-USA conference in Washington, D. C., last June. The organizers were kind enough to invite me to speak, and through a series of coincidences I chose for my topic “Ma se m’è forza perderti,” the third act aria of Un ballo in maschera that Björling consistently and inexplicably omitted in …

If Only:, Walter B. Rudolph

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The idea is perpetual. It meanders through most of our noggins, yet remains welcome in its brain-draining manner. The Anna-Lisa Björling/ Andrew Farkas biography, Jussi, keeps reminding us of the likes of Il tabarro with Leontyne Price and George London (Amadeus Press, 1996, page 335). Elsewhere it is suggested that the RCA/Serafin Otello with Jon Vickers, Leonie Rysanek and Tito Gobbi was RCA’s means of salvaging what was to have been Jussi’s Otello recording. The facts and tales are out there. We salivate every time we read or re-read them. Since many others have had a hand in that creative …

Three Societies, Four Books, One Museum, Sue Flaster

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Jussi Björling Society - USA, and our sister societies, the Jussi Björling Sällskapet in Sweden and the Jussi Björling Appreciation Society in the UK, are among literally thousands of such groups dedicated to various passions, activities and avocations. Many of these groups have grown out of almost-random encounters among enthusiasts, although the Internet has made those meetings much less random and much more frequent and targeted. For many of these groups, the reasons for their existence and development were known at one time to some few people, but are no longer remembered as the originating members drop away for …

Serenades For The Queen, Janel E. Lundgren

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

On the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, whose accession to the throne of the United Kingdom took place seventy years ago, we look back at Jussi Björling’s songful participation in the Coronation events, and a subsequent meeting with Her Majesty in 1956. Princess Elizabeth became Queen on February 6, 1952, imme-diately upon the unexpected death of her father, George VI. The Coronation was held more than a year later on June 2, 1953, allowing the traditional year of preparations for the ceremony and festivities.

Front Matter

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Symphonic Band: Professor Lauren N. Bobarsky, Conductor; March 3, 2026, Professor Lauren N. Bobarksy

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and sixteenth program of the 2025-2026 season.

“The Only Maker Of Spanish Guitars” In England: Panormo And His Contemporaries, Stefan Hackl

Soundboard Scholar

The following work is reviewed:

Guitar Making in Nineteenth-Century London: Louis Panormo and His Contemporaries, by James Westbrook (Halesowen, UK: ASG Music, 2023)

classicalguitar.co.uk/shop/guitar-making-in-nineteenth-century-london

2025-2026 Anthony De Mare: American Mavericks & Re-Imaging Sondheim, Anthony De Mare

Guest Recitals

No abstract provided.

The Diversity Band Presented By The Music Student Multicultural Association: March 2nd, 2026, Illinois State University School Of Music

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and fifteenth program of the 2025-2026 season.

Kemp Recital Hall

March 2nd, 2026

Monday Evening

7:30 p.m.

Isu Symphony Orchestra: March 1, 2026, Illinois State University School Of Music

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and thirteenth program of the 2025-2026 season.

Center for the Performing Arts

March 1, 2026

Sunday Afternoon

3:00 p.m.

Doris Wylee Becker, Piano, Department Of Music, University Of Richmond

Music Department Concert Programs

No abstract provided.

Trombone Choir: Mark Babbitt, Director; March 1, 2026, Mark Babbitt

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and fourteenth program of the 2025-2026 season.

Center for the Performing Arts

March 1, 2026

Saturday Evening

7:00 p.m.

Trombone Studio Recital 4th Annual Bordogni Project: March 1, 2026, Illinois State University School Of Music

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and twelfth program of the 2025-2026 season.

Kemp Recital Hall

March 1, 2026

Sunday Afternoon

12:00 p.m.

Senior Recital: Jessica Wenc, Horn; February 28, 2026, Jessica Wenc, Olesia Pupina, Elizabeth Purk

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and eleventh program of the 2025-2026 season.

Kemp Recital Hall

February 28, 2026

Saturday Afternoon

3:30 p.m.

2025-2026 New Music Festival: Gala Concert With The Lynn Philharmonia, Lisa Leonard, Glen Cortese, Lynn Philharmonia, Rebeca Sierra, Nabil Hetman, Zion Pe Montebon, Ana-Maria Uzunova, Ian Lewis, Hanting Peng, Aneliya Novikova, Yu-Hsuan Feng

New Music Festival

The 20th Annual New Music Festival

• Glen Cortese, Composer-in-residence
• Lisa Leonard, director

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM

• Master Class with Anthony de Mare

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM

• Gala Concert with the Lynn Philharmonia

Monday, March 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM

• Anthony de Mare: American Mavericks & Re-imagining Sondheim

Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 7:30 PM

• Faculty Masters Concert II

Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:30 PM

• Emerging Composers Concert

2025-2026 Master Class With Anthony De Mare: Living Composers And Multi-Piano Works, Anthony De Mare, Rebeca Sierra, Nabil Hetman, Zion Pe Montebon, Ana-Maria Uzunova, Owen Chen

Master Classes

No abstract provided.

2026 High School Orchestra Festival Concert: February 27, 2026, Illinois State University School Of Music

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and nineth program of the 2025-2026 season.

Center for the Performing Arts

February 27, 2026

Friday Afternoon

2:30 p.m.

Charles W. Bolen Faculty Recital: Joshua Mobley, Trumpet; February 27, 2026, Joshua Mobley, Anne Mcnamara, Grace Eom

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and tenth program of the 2025-2026 season.

Kemp Recital Hall

February 27, 2026

Friday Evening

7:30 p.m.

Isu Philharmonia String Orchestra: Samuel Chen, Director; February 25, 2026, Samuel Chen, Jayce Milburn

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and seventh program of the 2025-2026 season.

Kemp Recital Hall

February 25, 2026

Wednesday Evening

7:30 p.m.