Jussi Bjorling Edition (Studio Recordings, 1930-1959) [Box set]

Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Amilcare Ponchielli (Composer), Giacomo Meyerbeer (Composer), Paolo Tosti (Composer), Eduardo di Capua (Composer), Rudolf Friml (Composer), Henry Geehl (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), Georges Bizet (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Friedrich von Flotow (Composer), Gioachino Rossini (Composer), Umberto Giordano (Composer), Pietro Mascagni (Composer), Ruggero Leoncavallo (Composer), Gaetano Donizetti (Composer), Francesco Cilea (Composer), Benjamin Godard (Composer), Raoul Laparra (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Amilcare Ponchielli, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Paolo Tosti, et al.
• Audio CD (January 20, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000002S9L
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,681 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #27 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Voices > Tenors

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Aida: Se quel guerrier...Celeste Aida

2. Rigoletto: La donna e mobile

3. La Boheme: Che gelida manina

4. Tosca: Recondita armonia

5. TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. La Boheme: O soave faniculla

2. Rigoletto: E il sol dell'anima

3. Rigoletto: Questa o quella

4. Un Ballo in Maschera: Di' tu se fedele

5. Turnadot: Nessun dorma!

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Romeo et Juliette: Hoj dig, du klara sol

2. Rigoletto: O, I kvinnor: Questa o quella

3. L'illustre Fregona: Fylld av vemod sanker sig natten: Melancolque tombe le soir

4. Knyaz (Prince) Igor: Dagen gick langsamt till ro: Vladimir's Cavatina: Medlenno den' ugasal

5. Tosca: Det skona star att finna: Ricondita armonia

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Adelaide

2. Morgen

3. Cacilie

4. Bon i ofredstid

5. Bisp Thomas frihetssang

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This set tells you why Jussi Bjorling is a perennial entrant in the "Tenor of the Century" sweepstakes. Even as the voice darkens from the light lyric to the full, darker instrument of the later recordings, we hear a singer whose elegant style, lovely timbre and innate musicality touch the heart. Many of the selections are sung in Swedish, less of a liability than you might suppose. In whatever language, Bjorling's molten gold flows lavishly. He eschews the sobs and sentimentality that disfigure so much verismo repertory, making his points with stylish vocalism. He's been called a "cool" singer, but try his Puccini and Verdi arias on Disc One and you'll find more than enough vocal and emotional heat. The selections include many neglected Scandinavian songs, sung, like the arias, with a naturalness that disarms criticism. -- Dan Davis

Amazon.com

Swedish tenor Jussi Björling gets many votes for the distinction of greatest all-time tenor. Up to the end, the voice projected a boyish vulnerability, though he also had enough stentorian power to sing the heavy Puccini roles and was ready to take on Lohengrin when he died. He was so deeply musical he eschewed the usual tenor vulgarity without ever slighting the music's theatricality. Even these four well-filled discs of arias and songs can't fully encompass the vocal riches he left behind, but there's a lot here, much of it from his earliest years and (hope you don't mind) sung in a Swedish translation. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ULTIMATE Collection, November 1, 1999

By 

F. Barton "Forrest W. Barton" (Newport, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jussi Bjorling Edition (Studio Recordings, 1930-1959) (Audio CD)

When starting my Bjorling collection, I saw MANY CDs, with his early recordings. I was in a quandry as to what to buy, UNTIL I found this set. TRULY remarkable in many levels.FIRST and foremost, the voice. Captured in all levels, from the earliest to the latest. Truly wonderful, and the Swedish versions are a real treat to hear, don't worry, the Italian versions are here too!!Secondly, the remastering process. This set was remastered at Abbey Studios in London. For the first time I've heard, they actually pressed NEW 78s from the metal plates, and THEN remastered the new discs!!! Inspired, and the results--incredible.I find myself listening to Disc 3 the most. Very interesting, as it is the Swedish one. When the songs are terrific, along with the "standard" tenor arias, and it all comes together, it is PURE MAGIC!! I will admit that due to time limitations of recordings of this era, the opera house Bjorling is not fully conveyed. There are other CDs for that. Most notably "Romeo and Juliet", and for a REAL thrill, his ATLANTA concert, in STEREO, so much so, that the piano is even divided; left hand left, right hand right. Wait a minute, am I playing TWISTER??:-)) But if you want to skip all those unknown labels, you couldn't have a MORE complete set. ALL wit the great remastering I spoke of. Bjorling--His voice will NEVER die, at least in MY house!!!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive survey of one of the finest singers on record, September 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Jussi Bjorling Edition (Studio Recordings, 1930-1959) (Audio CD)

Jussi Bjoerling was one of the greatest singers of the century. His voice is pure, effortless and yet thrilling. Even better than the quality of the voice is his style. He never scoops up to a note nor does he ever whoop down from one, instead, he uses perfect legato and faultless intonation to deliver the cleanest sound you'll ever hear from a tenor.

This collection, from the large set of EMI recordings, provides a wonderful survey of Bjoerling's career. He was a straight 'spinto' tenor, that is, between a lyrical tenor (like Pavarotti) and a dramatic tenor (like Domingo). Most of the Puccini roles demand a spinto and those are the roles that Bjoerling was unbeatable in (particularly Des Grieux in Manon Lescaut). However, I think I most prize this collection for the songs sung in English on the last disc. I had some of them on a cassette I wore out in the car and others on a vinyl disc I wore out at home. For shear beauty of voice, the Berceuse by Jocelyn is stunning. For perfect diction, intonation and style, Love but a Day is breathtaking. Buy this set and I guarantee you'll fall in love with what many think is the finest voice on record.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, July 29, 2001

By 

G. Greene - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jussi Bjorling Edition (Studio Recordings, 1930-1959) (Audio CD)

This is an wonderful compilation of one of the most incredible voices on record. Whether you are a new or old Bjorling fan -- and who could hear that voice and not be enthralled by it -- this is a fine CD to have. The quality of the recording is excellent, and the range in years, from 1930 to 1959, gives a splendid overview of his dazzling talent. In addition to many of the arias one might expect, there are also lieder and songs in Swedish, as well as some charming duets with Jussi's wife, Anna-Lisa. I have quite a few other Bjorling CDs, and this is one of the best in terms of quality and scope. It is a most worthy addition to any Bjorling collection, regardless of its size.