Björling was world famous, Pavarotti was a big fan of his for an example, but I dont think they made christmas-albums at that time so maybe thats why you havent heard his version of this song before😊 (Björling started his career around 1930 and died 1960 but this song is still one of the most played christmas songs in Sweden❤).
Not sure if the insanely precise diction is obvious to non-Swedish speakers, but every single vowel is absolutely dead on, which can be very difficult in that language, which has very narrow lanes for the exact right color. Language is also the reason for not taking a breath where you usually get it, it comes in the middle of a word. Sometimes it seems he never breathes. Another thing that always amazes me with Bjorling is that for such a bright tenor voice, his low register flows so easily.
As much as I love his high notes and his entire upper register I have become hyper aware of his beautiful low notes. I agree, the ease and strength of his low notes is remarkable.
@@ikemyung8623 Whilst Björling is my favourite tenor because of the inherent beauty of his sound and his amazing technique, I’m not going to get into the ‘who is the greatest’ game. Others are allowed their favourites. However, there can be little doubt about his greatness as a technician - critics, conductors, singing teachers, other singers have attested to this through the decades. To provide just one quote, here is Richard Miller from his book ‘Training Tenor Voices’: ‘This book is dedicated to the memory of Jussi Bjoerling, perhaps the greatest tenor technician of the century, whose vocal proficiency, artistry, and professional objectivity serve as inspiration and goal to all tenors.’
Bjorling was an impeccable singer with a beautiful voice. The other singers featured here are remarkable as well. I'm satisfied that many posters did not get into who was better, as the individual contributions from all these great singers are more important rather than who was best.
I agree with you, but if you heard jussi live you'd know that his voice was not as powerful as on many studio records, he died in 1960 in his pirme at age 49, but of course was equal or better as far as technique then any of the present or past tenors tenors of his type, so yes pav's is very close and as far as voice, it is just a matter of opinion, but pav. did not sing in as many languages as jussi did, and was not as perfect perhaps, but he later when both in where in their 40's, pavarotti had in the opera house easily a larger voice then jussi did, and so pavarotti sang roles in his 40's that jussi did not, such as Calaf.in Turandot, Gioconda and Chenier .
I'd prefer the host to be quiet during the singing of jussi, but he kept giving his impressions, ok!. by the way did you hear tucker sing "the lords prayer"? it's better then mario lanza's.
@@rst-3192 Bjorling also never sang I Lombardi, Luisa Miller, and Ernani as Pavarotti did. Pavarotti 's home opera house was the Metropolitan, ''capacity 3850'' where he received many fine reviews. Bjorling did most of his singing at the Stockholm opera,'' capacity 1180. When Bjorling did sing at the more challenging Metropolitan, he did not receive good critical reviews in Trovatore,whereby the critic stated that Bjorling's voice was not yet heroic enough to sing Manrico. In his earlyTosca, the critic said that Bjorling's voice was too small for Cavaradossi. In Manon Lescaut, the critic said that he was LOST for the first 2 acts, but came alive in act 3. However JB did receive fine reviews in Boheme, Rigoletto and Ballo, operas that the great lyric tenor was more suited for. Bjorling and Nilsson have an excellent Turandot on records, whereby the volume on Bjorling's side of the recording had to be turned up to match Nilsson. Bjorling could never be a true Calaf in a large opera house like the Met, but beautiful on records. Big difference.
@@rst-3192 It seems that the most exuberant fans are Bjlorling's Corelli's and Lanza's. Perhaps Pavarotti's are not far behind. But the interest in Bjorling is becoming depleted a little. His museum in Borlange was closed a couple of years ago and the annual Bjorling Conference in Chicago was cancelled for various reason's but basically lack of interest. However, Bjorling will remain a great lyric tenor
The note you didn’t like as much by Björling was probably sung that way intentionally, both to finish up on the true vowel we use when pronouncing ”helga” which is done with an aeh or äh vowel sound, and to set up for a larger crescendo, finishing on a more open sound while maintaining as much overtones as possible (tuning himself through the transition, you can hear a tone floating above the one he sings pop out in the transition) TLDR, i think it’s intentional, and i kinda like it xD Edit: made it somewhat comprehensible, was in the middle of a calculus marathon when writing the comment, and apparently my brain don’t do word good when fatigued
You forgot Merry christmas in swedish, God jul. According to historians you basically are saying Good beer feast in swedish. yeah we are still a bit pagan here, even though some of us made the best version of Holy night. Haha!;)
Sadly, Mr. Bjorling died in 1960 about a year before my birth. Someone asked him why he drank. He said he did that because it stopped the music. It's sad to know how much some virtuosic singers suffer when they bring immense joy to opera lovers.
You didn't recognize the placement of the vowel which bothered you as the Swedish closed vowel. He had to keep the tone rolling into the open ah and propel into the continuing phrase.
What a wonderful video. So enjoyable, and with costume changes! The clip on UA-cam of your performance in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is tremendous.
As a collegiate jazz vibraphonist and professional orchestral percussionist/conductor, I recognize good vibes when I hear them. Truly an under-appreciated jazz instrument. Heard *all over* the music in one of my favorite TV shows ever, _Frasier_ (the vibes may play a small part in my love for the series).
Considering that he was severely out of shape e t c, it's even more incredible that he was able to sing like he did. It's like with Freddie. It leaves you with a "How the fu** did he do that??". I'm an expat, but I still listen to this every Christmas. Of course it makes a little bit more sense to me since I know that he's singing.
ua-cam.com/video/Fqv_OSOeXQA/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared Too bad Caruso recorded only one Xmas carol.. amazing recent restoration...my late father loved Caruso...this restoration would've floored him.
Happy new year. I really enjoy the react videos and id love to see your reaction to ferruci furlanetto’s version of ella giammai m’amo and/or commendatore with samuel ramey, and kurt moll
Mr Meachem If you haven’t seen it, try watching the u tube video of Pavarotti In Christmas concert at the Notra Dame Cathedral Montreal 1978. He is in the Middle of his prime. Spectacular singing of incredible music.
11:57 "Brightest star in the business" (Pavarotti). Arguably the most famous (slugging it out with Domingo and Carreras for obvious reasons). He did a direly-boring Ballo in Maschera at Covent Garden in 1982 (maybe 81; cba google - I went down from uni to see it) and this is no better: the notes are in the right places and he's looking pleased with himself, as he always does/always did in concert. Compared with Björling, I don't think there's much beauty here. Don't get me wrong: there's much to admire. D appears more involved: P is just banging out the notes (however lovely).
For that spot with Bjoerling before the high note, I had an inkling that it may be on Bjoerling’s secondo passagio, and I checked and it’s right on that F#! Of course I am making this post under the assumption that Bjoerljng adheres to the standard biological rules of tenors, which he most definitely does not 😂. Perhaps that could be why he had a bit of trouble, much like us Baritones around an Eb. Since it’s right where he would start to cover.
I would love for you to react to Pentatonix, an acapella group. Their mashup of Pure Imagination/Christmas Time is Here is magical. All of the 5 singers have 4-6 octave ranges.
My reaction is as valid as anyone else, is it not? BJÖRLING ~ Great song, but I can't stand his vibrato. It seems really uneven and strange. Too much sliding around also, I find it unpleasant. NORMAN ~ I know she was great, but I'm just not really a fan. To me the placement is just not even and some weird vowels. DOMINGO & PAVAROTTI ~ if we have to deal with operatic tenors, yep, some of the best...actually I think I like Domingo better, richer more mellow tone...Pavi gets a bit bright at times. KAUFMANN ~ I agree, he is great here, but as a non-native English speaker, there are some vowels that sound a bit unnatural, he is opening his mouth too wide on the "ahs." Very interesting to hear him signing in a more "natural" less forced way. Really a lovely tone and nice vibrato.
Domingo is the most overrated opera singer ever, idk how people can enjoy his voice and technique after hearing the greats such as Corelli, Del Monaco, Bergonzi, Gigli
A voice would sound incredibly dry and sterile without some vibrato. Given the broad vibrato of some much-admired operatic singers, I find your comment about Mr. Bjorling's peerless voice 'uneven and strange'. I find comfort that your opinion, of which you are indeed entitled, is EXTREMELY in the minority.
![Reaction to Helen Sjöholm - Du Måste Finnas/You must be real - [English Subtitles]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/33_oo5YJ1f4/mqdefault.jpg)
You could easily make the argument that Bjorling's Helga Natt is one of the most beautiful pieces sung by a human.
When Pavarotti say its good shit, its good shit. Jussi.
This song with Jussi bring me to tears every time.
Björling was world famous, Pavarotti was a big fan of his for an example, but I dont think they made christmas-albums at that time so maybe thats why you havent heard his version of this song before😊 (Björling started his career around 1930 and died 1960 but this song is still one of the most played christmas songs in Sweden❤).
And in Norway
The first 5 minutes are about Jussi Björling. The great vocalist. Thank you for acknowledging him.
Jussi Björling is the certified GOAT
If Bjorligs recording was done at the same time as Pavarotti , I think he would sound the best, by far
Bjorlings voice is so beautiful and powerful.
Not sure if the insanely precise diction is obvious to non-Swedish speakers, but every single vowel is absolutely dead on, which can be very difficult in that language, which has very narrow lanes for the exact right color. Language is also the reason for not taking a breath where you usually get it, it comes in the middle of a word. Sometimes it seems he never breathes. Another thing that always amazes me with Bjorling is that for such a bright tenor voice, his low register flows so easily.
As much as I love his high notes and his entire upper register I have become hyper aware of his beautiful low notes. I agree, the ease and strength of his low notes is remarkable.
Jussi Björling is the best tenor ever, no competition.
How? Where does this opinion come from? I find his vibrato very unpleasant.
@@ikemyung8623
Whilst Björling is my favourite tenor because of the inherent beauty of his sound and his amazing technique, I’m not going to get into the ‘who is the greatest’ game. Others are allowed their favourites. However, there can be little doubt about his greatness as a technician - critics, conductors, singing teachers, other singers have attested to this through the decades.
To provide just one quote, here is Richard Miller from his book ‘Training Tenor Voices’: ‘This book is dedicated to the memory of Jussi Bjoerling, perhaps the greatest tenor technician of the century, whose vocal proficiency, artistry, and professional objectivity serve as inspiration and goal to all tenors.’
@@ikemyung8623maybe you should go check your hearing? Something is wrong with it
@@ikemyung8623me too. I've never loved his vibrato. Also My old voice teacher said on person his ring wasn't there as in records
@@ikemyung8623 well, people say pavarotti is, but pavarotti said jussi was without compare sooo...
Björlings O Holy is unsurpassed and will remain so…
Awesome sweater! Bjorling was, is, evermore. Love Norman and Pavarotti.
Bjorling was an impeccable singer with a beautiful voice. The other singers featured here are remarkable as well. I'm satisfied that many posters did not get into who was better, as the individual contributions from all these great singers are more important rather than who was best.
I agree with you, but if you heard jussi live you'd know that his voice was not as powerful as on many studio records, he died in 1960 in his pirme at age 49, but of course was equal or better as far as technique then any of the present or past tenors tenors of his type, so yes pav's is very close and as far as voice, it is just a matter of opinion, but pav. did not sing in as many languages as jussi did, and was not as perfect perhaps, but he later when both in where in their 40's, pavarotti had in the opera house easily
a larger voice then jussi did, and so pavarotti sang roles in his 40's that jussi did not, such as Calaf.in Turandot, Gioconda and Chenier .
I'd prefer the host to be quiet during the singing of jussi, but he kept giving his impressions, ok!. by the way did you hear tucker sing "the lords prayer"? it's better then mario lanza's.
Jussi is the clear cut winner in the replies here, I'm not surprised at the comments, as he was the God from the North. RIP.
@@rst-3192 Bjorling also never sang I Lombardi, Luisa Miller, and Ernani as Pavarotti did. Pavarotti 's home opera house was the Metropolitan, ''capacity 3850'' where he received many fine reviews. Bjorling did most of his singing at the Stockholm opera,'' capacity 1180. When Bjorling did sing at the more challenging Metropolitan, he did not receive good critical reviews in Trovatore,whereby the critic stated that Bjorling's voice was not yet heroic enough to sing Manrico. In his earlyTosca, the critic said that Bjorling's voice was too small for Cavaradossi. In Manon Lescaut, the critic said that he was LOST for the first 2 acts, but came alive in act 3. However JB did receive fine reviews in Boheme, Rigoletto and Ballo, operas that the great lyric tenor was more suited for. Bjorling and Nilsson have an excellent Turandot on records, whereby the volume on Bjorling's side of the recording had to be turned up to match Nilsson. Bjorling could never be a true Calaf in a large opera house like the Met, but beautiful on records. Big difference.
@@rst-3192 It seems that the most exuberant fans are Bjlorling's Corelli's and Lanza's. Perhaps Pavarotti's are not far behind. But the interest in Bjorling is becoming depleted a little. His museum in Borlange was closed a couple of years ago and the annual Bjorling Conference in Chicago was cancelled for various reason's but basically lack of interest. However, Bjorling will remain a great lyric tenor
Björling's top note is a B4, not a C5, as the piece is in E major. No doubt that he sounded glorious on any note!
If you only heard maestro Franco Corelli's version of O holy night, I'm sure you'll be astonished.
The note you didn’t like as much by Björling was probably sung that way intentionally, both to finish up on the true vowel we use when pronouncing ”helga” which is done with an aeh or äh vowel sound, and to set up for a larger crescendo, finishing on a more open sound while maintaining as much overtones as possible (tuning himself through the transition, you can hear a tone floating above the one he sings pop out in the transition)
TLDR, i think it’s intentional, and i kinda like it xD
Edit: made it somewhat comprehensible, was in the middle of a calculus marathon when writing the comment, and apparently my brain don’t do word good when fatigued
I respect that!
@@LucasMeachem1 I respect your ability to read my incomprehensible comment. I had to read it through twice to figure out what I tried to say xD
±1@@LucasMeachem1
@@sum41foreverownCalculus marathon? Awesome! Anecdotally, it's not surprising you're into both maths and music.
You forgot Merry christmas in swedish, God jul. According to historians you basically are saying Good beer feast in swedish. yeah we are still a bit pagan here, even though some of us made the best version of Holy night. Haha!;)
God jul (Merry Christmas) from Sweden.
Thanks for the added Christmas mood to the day. It was needed.
So interesting seeing jonas singing like this!
Also, one of your competitors 😁 Peter Mattei, O Helga Natt. Actually, I’d be thrilled to hear YOU sing that carol - your voice is perfect for it.
He could even do it damn brilliantly in D-major, going to the high A at the end.
Love Lucas' high A's.. we need more of them!!
What a wonderful video. It made me smile, you made me laugh. Perfect for the days getting close to Christmas
Greetings from Sweden my mother went to school with his daughter so she met him a few Times he was❤she said🙏
Sadly, Mr. Bjorling died in 1960 about a year before my birth. Someone asked him why he drank. He said he did that because it stopped the music. It's sad to know how much some virtuosic singers suffer when they bring immense joy to opera lovers.
Such a lovely video. Thank you. Blessings for Christmas and New Year.😇🕯🙏
You didn't recognize the placement of the vowel which bothered you as the Swedish closed vowel. He had to keep the tone rolling into the open ah and propel into the continuing phrase.
You just got to understand that he sets so very much spirit in to the words to..Jussi is the greatest ❤
"maybe he can join the Rät Päck" that line absolutely killed me 😂
What a wonderful video. So enjoyable, and with costume changes! The clip on UA-cam of your performance in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is tremendous.
Very glad you enjoyed it, thank you
Adeste Fideles as sung by Alfredo Kraus tenor concludes with a stunning High C.
Bjorling is singing in his native tongue and from a linguistic perspective his placement of the vowels is spot on
As a collegiate jazz vibraphonist and professional orchestral percussionist/conductor, I recognize good vibes when I hear them. Truly an under-appreciated jazz instrument. Heard *all over* the music in one of my favorite TV shows ever, _Frasier_ (the vibes may play a small part in my love for the series).
Love your content. Here's to more in 2024. Have a great Christmas, Lucas.
Can you show how it is done???Mr Baritone???
Jussi - best tenor of all times!!
Perfect. start to my winter break!
Do your homework, did his excellency Pavarotti listen to Mister Björling??
Also worth listening to David Phelps O Holy Night which features several High C sharps.
Considering that he was severely out of shape e t c, it's even more incredible that he was able to sing like he did. It's like with Freddie. It leaves you with a "How the fu** did he do that??". I'm an expat, but I still listen to this every Christmas. Of course it makes a little bit more sense to me since I know that he's singing.
when u wistel OMG so beauty
Oh man, you missed the best pun. I was sure you were going to say Jonás is going to join the bratpack! As in bratwurst? Hello??
I'd like to sea your reaction on Giulio Neri in La Calunnia... if you like 😊
Have a good one!!
Very good!!!!
Bjoerling… NO DOUBT :)
I enjoy your videos so much 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤
Can you react to Kurt molls comendatore?
can you please rate, Gallino Masini?
Can I please hear the music?????
ua-cam.com/video/Fqv_OSOeXQA/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
Too bad Caruso recorded only one Xmas carol.. amazing recent restoration...my late father loved Caruso...this restoration would've floored him.
Jussi gets out of the path????
Happy new year. I really enjoy the react videos and id love to see your reaction to ferruci furlanetto’s version of ella giammai m’amo and/or commendatore with samuel ramey, and kurt moll
I'd love to see and hear your reaction to O holy night sang by metal singer Dan Vasc. ❤
Remember what losing weight did to Callas.
Mr Meachem If you haven’t seen it, try watching the u tube video of Pavarotti In Christmas concert at the Notra Dame Cathedral Montreal 1978. He is in the Middle of his prime. Spectacular singing of incredible music.
I will!
I still love my Eileen Farrell recording
Jussi is the best ever
Thanks for the video! Lip-singing, though? Lip-syncing, right?
Yes and yes oops. Not my area of expertise LOL
Missed your videos! How you’ve been?!
Merry Christmas Lucas!
Vibraphone with Jonas
11:57 "Brightest star in the business" (Pavarotti). Arguably the most famous (slugging it out with Domingo and Carreras for obvious reasons). He did a direly-boring Ballo in Maschera at Covent Garden in 1982 (maybe 81; cba google - I went down from uni to see it) and this is no better: the notes are in the right places and he's looking pleased with himself, as he always does/always did in concert.
Compared with Björling, I don't think there's much beauty here. Don't get me wrong: there's much to admire. D appears more involved: P is just banging out the notes (however lovely).
Love your reaction videos! Merry Christmas Lucas
Leontyne Price - O Holy Night. Celestial.
For that spot with Bjoerling before the high note, I had an inkling that it may be on Bjoerling’s secondo passagio, and I checked and it’s right on that F#! Of course I am making this post under the assumption that Bjoerljng adheres to the standard biological rules of tenors, which he most definitely does not 😂. Perhaps that could be why he had a bit of trouble, much like us Baritones around an Eb. Since it’s right where he would start to cover.
O Helga Natt.
I would love for you to react to Pentatonix, an acapella group. Their mashup of Pure Imagination/Christmas Time is Here is magical. All of the 5 singers have 4-6 octave ranges.
My reaction is as valid as anyone else, is it not?
BJÖRLING ~ Great song, but I can't stand his vibrato. It seems really uneven and strange. Too much sliding around also, I find it unpleasant.
NORMAN ~ I know she was great, but I'm just not really a fan. To me the placement is just not even and some weird vowels.
DOMINGO & PAVAROTTI ~ if we have to deal with operatic tenors, yep, some of the best...actually I think I like Domingo better, richer more mellow tone...Pavi gets a bit bright at times.
KAUFMANN ~ I agree, he is great here, but as a non-native English speaker, there are some vowels that sound a bit unnatural, he is opening his mouth too wide on the "ahs." Very interesting to hear him signing in a more "natural" less forced way. Really a lovely tone and nice vibrato.
Thank you Jussi and Lucas!!!!!
Domingo is the most overrated opera singer ever, idk how people can enjoy his voice and technique after hearing the greats such as Corelli, Del Monaco, Bergonzi, Gigli
A voice would sound incredibly dry and sterile without some vibrato. Given the broad vibrato of some much-admired operatic singers, I find your comment about Mr. Bjorling's peerless voice 'uneven and strange'. I find comfort that your opinion, of which you are indeed entitled, is EXTREMELY in the minority.
Love your reaction videos.