About this Artist

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Editorial Reviews

The ability to capture and preserve an important moment is one of sound recording's great gifts, and Björling Rediscovered is proof positive. On September 24, 1955, the celebrated Swedish tenor Jussi Björling took to the stage of Carnegie Hall for a recital of songs and arias. RCA wisely had its microphones in place, and the result was recorded and released on LP -- or, at least parts of the recital were released. Over the years, various bits and pieces of this legendary performance have been transferred to CD, but this is the first time the recital has been released in its glorious entirety. Those who think that recitals are low-key affairs owe it to themselves to experience the white-hot intensity of Björling's performances here. Yes, the opening Beethoven song finds the tenor warming up, but the following group of Schubert songs goes from strength to strength, and the last one - "Die böse Farbe" (D. 795) -- is simply electrifying. It's a remarkably well varied program, with some contemplative pieces, like "Le rêve" from Massenet's Manon and "Il mio tesoro" from Mozart's Don Giovanni, that show off the singer's softer side. A special highlight of this release is a group of Scandinavian songs by Grieg (including a mesmerizing version of "En Drøm"), Sibelius, and Sjöberg, that have never been released in any format. By excising some of the long bouts of applause, RCA has managed to fit the entire 80-minute recital onto a single disc. Anyone suffering from tenor madness should put this handsomely packaged CD at the very top of their list. Andrew Farach-Colton, Barnes & Noble

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