Music Commons^™

Dan Shea: Celebrating Math And Music, Kendall Svengalis

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

What is it about a voice that so grips a teenage boy and holds his passionate interest for the rest of his life? And not just any voice, but the voice of that most exemplary of tenors— Jussi Björling. And not just any boy, but a future founder of the Jussi Björling Society—USA: Dan Shea.

Dan Shea In His First 80 Years, Enrique Gilardoni

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

As well as the famous German soprano Gundula Janowitz, our dear friend Dan Shea was born on August 2, 1937. While Gundula did it in Berlin, Dan was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

Jbs-Usa Announces 20th Anniversary Mini-Conference And Cd, Sue Flaster

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

JBS-USA is delighted to announce that the celebratory year of our 20th anniversary will kick off with a mini-conference in Washington, D.C. November 17th and 18th along with the issue of a very special members-only CD. We will begin on Friday the 17th by attending a rehearsal of Washington Concert Opera’s presentation of Bellini’s La straniera at the Lissner Auditorium. Those of us who attended this company’s Semiramide a couple of years ago, and the D.C. members who regularly attend their productions, can attest to the very high level of performance we can expect.

Full Issue

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Conference Alert

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Although there are many details to come, plan to join JBS-USA in Washington, D.C. in November of 2017. Dates are still being firmed up with the Embassy, but we will get together for dinner on Friday evening, and then spend Saturday at Sweden House listening to fascinating speakers and hanging out with friends. Another wonderful occasion to talk about Jussi Björling to one’s heart’s content without watching another person’s eyes glaze over.

The Jussi Favorites Survey

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

I’m sure you’ve noticed that you cannot make an online purchase (or comment) without being pestered into oblivion with surveys. Don’t know about you, but it’s one of my pet peeves (PET PEEVES).

Beecham, Björling And Bohème, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Thomas Beecham—An Obsession with Music by John Lucas (Boydell Press, 2011) has been a recent self-obsession. Since Beecham died in my teenage years, I’ve always admired his Mozart and Haydn, but in particular his last Messiah (Goosens orchestration), Scheherazade, and of course, La bohème. But in today’s world Sir Thomas is probably better known for his definition of the harpsichord than for his contribution to music in the 20th century.

Jussi Björling In Copenhagen, David Cutler

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Collectors of historical vocal recordings are always wanting more of their particular favorite singer. They do not often get rewarded for their enthusiasm. However, this CD must surely mark a giant find in the vocal annals for which we must be truly thankful. The silver voiced Jussi Björling was one of the 20th century’s great tenors and much has been written about him. There has even been a splendid phonography, improved over the years by new releases, but even this recital escaped the doyen of Björling experts, Harald Henrysson.* This new musical discovery had tangled origins—according to John Haley of …

Leslie Barcza’S Pilgrimage To Jussi Björling Museet, Leslie Barcza

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

(Editor’s introduction) Here’s a stimulating blog title from a man who writes regularly and broadly about music. He describes growing up in a home with recordings of vocal music prominently available—Jussi Björling being a particular favorite.

As the instructor of an opera course, he suggests [opera] is . . . a medium that can be understood in at least these two ways: (1) as a series of composers and periods and styles of opera, stories told in different ways, [and] (2) as a series of big name stars, beautiful voices, larger-than-life personalities, and yes: divas.

Rolf Björling In Utah (1979), Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

“It’s a mini-cycle,” he explained to me afterwards. ‘Ständchen’ is the serenade (setting up the date). “Heimliche Aufforderung” is the date, and “Zueignung” the expressed thanks at the end.” The three Richard Strauss songs had ended Rolf Björling’s printed program on April 13, 1979 in Ogden, Utah. The Goodfellow review was simple and to-the-point, “…as thrilling as I’ve ever heard them.”

The President’S Pen..., Terry Williams

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Some might suggest that I spend more time on Facebook and YouTube than one ought. Be that as it may, I enjoy the many wolf pages I follow on Facebook along with lots of pages featuring singers and singing. YouTube is fun because it has figured out what I like and constantly brings me something new to enjoy.

Full Issue

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Travel And Meeting Alert

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

We are planning, together with the cooperation of the Swedish Embassy, a mini-conference in Washington D.C. in November of 2017. Our events will run from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon, and then we hope to be off to some available music. We’re looking at the weekend of November 3-5 or the following weekend, which is Veteran’s Day, and adds a free Monday for those of us who are working. As many of us have seen in the past, the Embassy has a very good meeting room below ground, and they have offered it to us for this get-together.

The Avid Listener, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

During an email exchange, I encountered a link to a Charlie Rose interview with Eileen Farrell, whose inflection when pronouncing the name of “Jussi Björling” was indicative of her impression and respect (https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=xwwwK-MNdNI). It was even more specifically spelled out in Brian Kellow’s (Farrell) biography where she says, I was in awe of Björling—I would get so caught up listening to the gorgeous sounds that came out of his throat that I would forget to sing! (p. 151, Can’t Help Singing)

Anders Björling—His Father’S Son, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

How do I begin a tale I know not how to tell? Once upon a time…. we were all young then …. and therein lies a tale…. because I remember when……….

The President’S Pen..., Terry Williams

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A significant responsibility of each president of the Society is to edit and publish our Newsletters and Journals. Walter Rudolph edited and published the Journal that was mailed to everyone earlier this year. Wally did a magnificent job. This is my first publication. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.

Full Issue

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Remembering Jussi Björling 75 Years Ago—1940

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Photos courtesy The Jussi Björling Museum, Borlänge.

“Gustav” Björling In The Movies!

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

On December 30th, 1946, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle published the following review about the Swedish movie, Hans Majestäts Rival (aka Kungens Rival, Queen for a Night, and His Majesty’s Rival).

Introducing Terry Williams

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

When I was 10, “The Glenn Miller Story” came to a movie theater near me in our small town of Galesburg, Illinois. My parents took me to see it. Well, before the end, I had determined that I, too, wanted to play the trombone. My parents actually bought one for me and, somehow, I learned to play it, and play it I did for the next ten years, including a couple of years as a trombone major at the Conservatory in Kansas City. At this point you may be asking what on earth my trombone playing has to do with …

Donors

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Again we acknowledge these extraordinary people, both members and non-members, who rallied to support the June 2015 Salt Lake City Conference of The Jussi Björling Society – USA. We extend our deep appreciation for their commitment and generosity

An Encounter With Javier Camarena, Enrique Gilardoni

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Since 1976 I live in Chile, a country that extends its crazy geography along more than 2,600 miles with a range that goes from the driest desert on the planet in the North to scenic South full of forests lakes and volcanoes.

Sir Christopher Lee— ‘I Still Believe I Was Born To Be An Opera Singer’, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The actor Christopher Lee, who died at the age of 93 on June 7th, 2015, may have appeared in more films than anyone of his generation. Best known for portraying villains with his 6’5” frame, he was seen in James Bond, Star Wars and Lord of the Ring films, among many, many others. Here he reflects on an opera career that might have been...

A New Opera: Silverfågeln (Silver Bird), Goran Forsling

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

In the summer of 2015 a new opera about Swedish tenor Jussi Björling was premiered. It is based on journalist Yrsa Stenius’s book Tills vingen brister (2002), available in English translation as The Heart of Jussi Björling. The libretto is by Greta Sundberg. The music is composed by Mats Larsson Gothe, who recently had a great success at Norrlandsoperan in Umeå with Blanche och Marie about Nobel Prize Winner Marie Curie and her assistant and friend, Blanche Wittman.

Verdi: Il Trovatore

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Björling, Greco, Castagna, Valentino, Calusio (con). This thrilling performance presents the January 11, 1941 Björling Met broadcast in vastly improved sound with commentary by Milton Cross, remastered by Richard Caniell for Immortal Performances. The notes are by Stephen Hastings. Also included are biographies and recording notes plus rare photos. A bonus is the Björling March 10, 1952 Firestone Broadcast. (2 CDs).

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Sony/RCA has reissued the 1953 Björling/ Milanov/Merrill Cavalleria rusticana. The remastering is done by John Fredenburg from the original RCA tapes. Andy Pope reports excellent (sound) with Björling at his silvery best, the magnificent Milanov in her absolute prime and Merrill with his beautiful baritone; a must to have in very fine sound.

Jussi Björling’S Latest Cd, An Unexpected Discovery!, Dan Shea

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The alert went out last spring: Seth Winner had heard from a friend, John Haley of ARSC (the Association for Recorded Sound Collections), that a recording existed of Björling’s October 15, 1959, concert in Copenhagen.

President’S Comments, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The end of September there was a “rerun” of a short interview about our June Salt Lake City Conference on a local television station. Immediately afterwards came two “friend requests” from old acquaintances. One I had not heard from in 30 plus years. Both were responsive to Jussi Björling, and I was again reminded of our tenor’s staying power.

Front Matter

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.