Music Commons^™

When The Muses Went Silent And Almost Died:, Thomas M. Hines

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

What would life be like if there were no fine or performing arts? If music could not be heard in public, if great paintings of famous artists of the past and present could not be seen—in other words, how would we adjust in an esthetically deprived existence? In truth, we could continue to see and hear; nature would still be around us, but the interpretative acuity of our senses would be dulled. Opportunities to witness works of art would not be readily available. Our creative images would be internalized and not reflective of visual or auditory models. It would be …

Jussi’S Live Performances On Cd:, Kristian Krogholm

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

We are very fortunate that a very large number of Jussi Björling`s live recordings have been issued on cd. We have every reason to be grateful for every single recording which has been made available to us. The people to thank for this are of course mainly those behind the Jussi Björling societies and in particular those behind the Bluebell JB series. Two men need to be mentioned here, Frank Hedman and Harald Henrysson. What treasures they have given us through that Swedish label, and almost everything from original tapes and in superb sound.

Also it deserves to be mentioned …

“I Was So Nervous For Him” – Kerstin Thorborg And Jussi Björling, Nils-Göran Olve

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Kerstin Thorborg (1896–1970) was a leading mezzo-soprano with the Metropolitan for thirteen seasons, singing twenty roles in 350 performances. Her debut was as Frick in Die Walküre on 21 December 1936 and her final performances in 1950. Fifteen years older than Jussi Björling and born in the same Swedish region Dalarna (Dalecarlia), she enjoyed twenty years of rather solitary retirement there and died ten years after him. Her Met repertoire focused on Wagner so they met rarely on stage, but of course they knew each other well during the years they met professionally (1936–41 and 1945–50). They can be heard …

Jussi Björling In Mozart, Richard Copeman

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Mozart wrote so well for the voice that his music is still regarded as an essential discipline for students. Jussi was fortunate in being tutored by John Forsell, a specialist in Mozart operas, especially Don Giovanni. One of the arias he worked on was “Dalla sua pace,” the first act aria of Don Ottavio, and wisely he sang it for his 1928 audition at the Opera School and was accepted after further tuition. Jussi later wrote “Of all the opera styles, Mozart’s is the one closest to my heart. My teacher, John Forsell, gave me things to sing that were …

Elisabeth Söderström, Calle Friedner

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Elisabeth Söderström was one of Sweden’s foremost and most versatile sopranos. Her early intention was to become an actress, and acting was something she highly mastered. She admitted herself to have a “little” voice, and the beauty of its sound could vary, but what possibly might have lacked in her voice she compensated very well with musicality and brilliant acting that sometimes could be so good, that the audience would wonder if it was real.

Jbs-Usa Returns To Washington Dc, March 9 – 12, 2024

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A musical weekend is planned around two JBS board meetings, with plenty of time for music and fine dining. We are so looking forward to being together again, and hope you will join us in Washington as the cherry blossoms start to bloom!

Following is a description of our weekend. If you would like to join us for all or any part of this schedule, we would be delighted to have you with us! We can arrange hotel reservations for anyone flying in.

Conrad L. Osborne:, Conrad L. Osborne

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

JBS-USA is once again privileged to present the American master of opera critics in a special Zoom presentation for the Society on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 pm ET., which will be repeated on Saturday, February 24 at 12 noon ET. Following the presentation will be a Q & A segment, to which attendees may submit questions.

About his presentation, Mr. Osborne observes: “In my lifetime, there have been two fundamental shifts, both negative in their impact, in how opera is performed. One is in theatrical presentation – the rise of laissez-faire re-interpretation of the canon by directors and designers. …

A Glistening Record – The Conferences Of Jbs-Usa, Walter B. Rudolph, Dan Shea, Sue Flaster

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

At the end of 1998, two years of preliminary organizational work finally had led to the existence of a USA chapter of the Jussi Björling Society. This new group of enthusiasts from North and South America, Europe – and the whole English-speaking world – felt ready to join forces with the British Appreciation Society and the Swedish Sällskap in studying and honoring the career of Jussi Björling.

We were connected by the newsletters that our first leaders published, and also very much by a new feature of those times: the newly popular internet with individuals forming all sorts of specialty …

From The President, Janel E. Lundgren

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Einar Larson, Singer And Colleague, Harald Henrysson

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

As far as I can remember, I only met Einar Larson-- who has written so vividly about his friendship with Jussi----once, at Jussi Björlinggården in Borlänge, the exhibition that had been opened in May 1969. I remember him as a strikingly stately, friendly man, very engaged in what was being done in Jussi’s memory in his native city, but we had no closer contact. I think I can vouch for the fact that there were no objections when the chairman of the local heritage association, rector Gösta A. Karlsson, said about him in his speech at the opening of the …

New Release Of Maria Callas Live Copenhagen Concert Of June 9, 1963, John H. Haley

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Members of the Society will recall the 2016 CD release of Jussi Björling’s wonderful October 15, 1959 recital in Copenhagen at Falkoner Centret, the existence of which was previously unknown. The tape for that release was one of a number I acquired of live concerts recorded at that venue by the hall itself, all in fine sound. I have just released another important one, Maria Callas’ live concert there on June 9, 1963, with the Danish Radio Symphony conducted by Georges Prêtre. Callas became much less active on the opera stage starting in 1962, making her last performances in 1965. …

Three Important Books From Jbs-Usa

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Among the tasks taken up by JBS-USA has been the publication and distribution of books which amplify and explore the legacy of Jussi Björling, as well as the efforts in research and organization which make that exploration possible. In the last several years, three important books have been published by the Society which contribute significantly to understanding both the legacy of the great tenor, and the efforts made in supporting that legacy.

Greetings From Her Late Majesty, Janel E. Lundgren

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

In last year’s Journal (Number 30, Feb 2022), we carried an article, “Serenades for the Queen,” in which we recalled the two concerts performed by Jussi Björling as part of Her Majesty’s Coronation Festival Series of concerts in June of 1953, and included copies of his printed programs.

We also remembered Her Majesty’s State Visit to Sweden in June of 1956, where Jussi once again sang to her at the formal luncheon in Stockholm’s City Hall, and enjoyed a delightful conversation afterward.

Last March, we then joined in the spirit of the Platinum Jubilee by sending the Queen copies of …

The Art Of Jussi Björling, Conrad L. Osborne

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Hello, everybody. Thanks to all of you looking in, and special thanks to Janel Lundgren, who extended the invitation to speak, to Walter Rudolph for hosting our event, to Steve Fischman for handling the sound fragments we’ll be hearing, and to my wife, Molly Regan,for all her help getting the fragments out to Steve. I’ve been following the activities of the Society at one degree of separation for many years, and have met or corresponded with several of you along the way, so I know I’m on home ground, among people as devoted as I am to keeping alive an …

The Advantage Of Not Being A Tenor, Calle Friedner

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

“When I wake up in the morning on my sunny summer island and sometimes hear my two-year-old daughter Ann-Charlotte with her tiny childish voice, but in good sense of pitch, singing “Du lilla solsken som tittar in…” is it then strange to say that I sometimes think of my own childhood filled with singing…”

This is how Jussi Björling begins his memoirs Med bagaget i strupen (With the luggage in my throat). Yes, there should hardly be any doubt about the fact that his daughter was born to become a singer.

However, Ann-Charlotte was not very interested in playing the …

The Björlings And The Swedes In Chicago, Kendall Svengalis

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Swedish-American poet, historian, biographer, journalist and folklorist, Carl Sandburg (1878-1967), called it the

Hog Butcher for the World, Tool maker, Stacker of Wheat,

Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler;

Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders…

While the stockyards closed in 1971, Chicago remains a big, brawling, working class city, with a generous overlay of culture and noteworthy architecture financed by its leading citizens. Symphony Hall, home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the nearby Auditorium Theater, the Lyric Opera, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Goodman Theater, the Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, Adler …

Featuring Chicago’S Frederick Schauwecker, Pianist With Tenor Jussi Björling, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Met’s Opera News magazine featured many articles about Jussi Björling during his career in the USA, mostly highlighting his operatic exploits but occasionally acknowledging his concert career in North America. From September 1945 until Jussi’s last North American concert (Santa Monica in April 1960), his main accompanist was Frederick Schauwecker. Luckily someone at Opera News had the good idea, a decade after Jussi’s death, to arrange an interview with him.

The result was a 2-page article “On the Road with Jussi,” with interesting information on how this tenor and accompanist decided to join forces, how they worked together and …

Jbs – Usa Silver Anniversary Conference Chicago, March 23-26, 2023 Thomas Club At Symphony Center

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Board of Directors is delighted to announce registrations are now available for our 25th Anniversary Conference in Chicago. In addition to celebrating Jussi’s career, we will be adding extra activities and remembrances of 25 years of JBS-USA.

From The President

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Tim Augustin Is 2021 Jussi Björling Society Prize Winner, Bengt Krantz

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

American tenor Tim Augustin has one strong source of inspiration. That source is Jussi Björling. This strong model has brought him to Sweden. He shares this fascination with many other tenors, but Tim seems to have absorbed an enormous amount of knowledge through analytical studies of Jussi’s art of singing. The result is not imitation but a very sophisticated closeness to the tools that are the singer’s: breath control, articulation, textual understanding, expansion and warmth. He has found these constituents in his own voice and applies his insight in a very healthy voice production, which easily brings him through the …

Singer’S Choices:, Allan Buchalter

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

On occasion, a composer will place an additional musical staff above a solo singer’s staff so that the singer can choose which version he/she wishes to sing. Sometimes it is a difference of just a few notes, but can also completely change the melodic line, as I’ll illustrate towards the end of this article, with a Björling and Corelli example, after first mentioning a few “oppure” choices (generally abbreviated in scores as “Opp.”).

What oppure is not, is when due to tradition, or for some other reason, a singer takes it upon himself/herself to add something to an aria, duet, …

Voice Types:, Nils-Göran Olve, Sue Flaster ,Translator, Harald Henrysson ,Translator

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Just as for sopranos, there are, of course, various kinds of tenors. Don Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro, Rodolfo in La bohème, and Siegmund in Die Walküre, are probably never candidates for each other’s roles. For audiences, Rodolfo in particular defines what it means to be a tenor. That role fach (voice type) is called lyric tenor, and from the 1840s and up to our day, there is one such in every stereotypical opera libretto: the more or less tragic male figure in a love story. At the beginning of the 1800s, similar tenor roles were often written for …

Thoughts On “O Helga Natt”, Kristian Krogholm

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

“No singer was ever more loved than Jussi Björling,” said Elisabeth Söderström at the big concert in Stockholm 1985 to celebrate his memory. Jussi had a quality that set him apart from everyone else. A voice sent from Heaven. So beautiful, so brilliant, so perfect yet so intensely emotional. Every note he sang went straight into the depths of the heart. That kind of attraction cannot be explained, because it is, and will always remain, a mystery.

What is deepest in the heart of every human being is that which we cannot put into words. And what do we all …

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 …