I listened to "O helga natt" for the first time. Here's my reaction. Here's the Spotify playlist of all of the reactions I've done: open.spotify.com/playlist/5Dz...
Pavarotti and Buchelli looked up to Jussi. Pavarotti said his goal was to sound like Jussi. If Jussi had done a song, Pavarotti would listen to his version and try to sound as good as him. That says something about how amazing this Swedish tenor was. Love from Norway 🇳🇴
This is the best Christmas song ever. I always cries when I listen to this one. Nobody sings this better than Jussi. Best regards from the neighbor Norway.
Jussi Björling is not only considered one of the greatest Swedish singers of all time, he's by many considered the greatest operatic tenor that EVER lived, kinda says a lot about Jussi.
And Jussi Björling was Pavarottis idol. He admired Jussi’s singing and always approached his own singing with ”How would Jussi sing this?” His singing is amazing and extraordinary. They say about Jussi Björling: He sang with a tear in his voice. We swedish people have no idea of this man’s greatness. We should hav a Jussi-day.
Strange that the jussi Björling museum was shut down in the town where he was born due to budget cuts.. Says how much sweden consider it's musical legasy
I’m glad you liked it! Being Norwegian, it may seem strange for me to feel pride in Jussi Björling’s singing. But the thing is, his version of this song just happens to be an integral part of Norwegian Christmas music. I’m glad petty rivalry between our two countries hasn’t ruined that.
Norway is my favorite country. As a Swede I admit that Jussi is spectacular but Kirsten Flagstad is IMO the greatest of them all. And Aase Nordmo Lövberg is another fantastic singer from Norway.
I'm Swedish (now living in London though) but born just by the border and to me and I remember the first time I heard Sissel Kyrkjebö and I was as proud as only a teenager can be that "we" produced such singers :)
Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø normally sings the Swedish version because I've heard it is considered the best version of this song 😋 As a matter of fact I think she singing the Swedish version is the best of all I've heard! Her voice is so clear and powerful 😍 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PK-NZc4O6mA.html
I'm in Canada and my girlfriend is an opera performer and music teacher with focus on vocals at university level ; she claims that Jussi is one of the greatest Tenor's period. She uses some of his work as examples for her students.
Before Jussi, the greatest opera singer was Caruso, in many peoples' minds. However, Caruso died in 1921, and therefore, his voice although perserved isn't perserved with that crisp quality that the 1930's to 50's offered Jussi Björling. A bit unfair to Caruso.
Your girlfriend is quite correct. I personally consider him the greatest tenor of all time, and I'm not alone. There are many legendary tenors throughout history, but only one that sounds like this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xT09SI0LAjg.html
Jussi Björling comes from my hometown Borlänge. I have 78 turn disc with Jussi. I play it on my 78 turn travel gramophone. And it's crazy loud when Jussi use his whole voice... And that with no electronics 😮
I love this version so much 🥹Jussi was my beloved grandmother’s favorite singer and when I was a child 50-60 years ago my grandmother told us to be totally quiet when Jussi sang in the radio. As a Dane I understand the Swedish lyrics which makes it even more emotional. No Christmas without Jussi 🙌🏼✨
Jessi had one quality that separated him from all the other greats. Sure, he had the power, the range, the control, but the source of his angelic delivery was simply God, manifesting His Life, His Spirit, thru one human being. This song will be sung by choirs of angels. For all eternity no beginning, no end.
Reading his medical records nowadays Gives a new perspective on his drinking story. Because of his heart condition he took two medicines that had implications then they were given togever that wasn’t known at that time and can be a reason for the very sad rumors of him as an heavy drinker. But it doesn’t matter, I don’t understand your comment here.
@@patrikhafstrom8954 Some people are like that - if something negative can be said about a person, they just HAVE to bring it up - relevant, or not. I feel a bit of pity for such people, but pejrhaps not a whole lot.
When my parents moved to Stockholm they saw and heard him in Kungsträdgården the very first night. Since then my father HAD to hear his version of "O Helga Natt" every Christmas Eve. At the LOUDEST(!) volume we listened to this and enjoyed. My father looked like a very pleased cat with a vey catlike smile on his face. So many have tried to do this like Jussi....my father said always: "No, that´s not a Jussi."There is noone like Jussi." I know the world agree.
You should know that Jussi was a superstar in his time and traveled the world singing, esp New York and London. And is considered one of the best of all time, even my other tenors. Pavarotti was once compared to Jussi, and his respons was "Please, im only human".
@@SoyAntonioGaming Jussi had been dead for 30+ years before there was an autotune. Pavarotti retired in 2004 and didnt release much after the arrival of autotune that frankly was so shit for the first few years it made things worse. Not to mention that autotune cant handle opera even today. Classical music, alot of heavy metal and the like is beyond its capacity. To this date it has never been used in opera.
"When I'm about to train a new opera, I first listen to how Jussi Björling did it. His voice was unique and it's his path that I want to follow. I would more than anything else wish that people compared me with Jussi Björling. It's like so I'm striving to sing." -Luciano Pavarotti "Anouther quote came from Luciano Pavarotti when he was compared to being in the same league as Bjorling. Pavarotti replied "Please, I'm only human" a statement demonstrating that even the great modern tenor had enormous respect for Bjorling."
Some - like Luciano Pavarotti - even consider Jussi Björling the greatest tenor of all times. From 1938 he was the leading tenor on the Met in NYC but also made numerous apperances at the Royal Theatre ("Operan") in Stockholm, La Scala, Covent Garden etc. The swedish lyrics to this song are good - but the french original is even more radical in catching the revolutionary spritit of Christ. Good choice!
Pavarotti didn’t consider Bjorling the greatest tenor of all times. Pavarotti favourite tenor was Giuseppe Di Stefano while is father preferred Beniamino Gigli. And Bjorling is one of the greatest but then you can mention others starting from Caruso.
@@69brancaleone Do you know of any good recordings of caruso? I never heard one that didnt suffer from being from an era without good recording technology. I Know he must have been good though because he is one of the people with an immortal name even though most people that actually heard him sing will be long dead by now. It's kind of like those recordings of Rachmanonof you can hear that he was good but not the full scope of it.
@@rimmersbryggeri Caruso was first singer to sell over a million recordings of famous aria “Vesti la giubba” from Pagliacci, a super star. And even if quality of recordings is not good comparing to modern technology, u can hear the richness of sound of his incredible voice, a real golden timbre. I advice to hear later recordings, in particular the best duet with baritone Ruffo in “Si pel ciel” from Otello, it’s a vocal fighting between two of the greatest male voices of all time.
I have an unforgettable memory of O helga natt with Jussi from a Swedish hospital in Dec 1987. After giving birth to my first born I eventually went to sleep and woke up at 7 on Christmas Eve when the nurses woke us up, playing the song carrying a CD-player and serving lucia-buns and gingerbreds. I'd heard Jussi before with that song for sure, but that morning I was so moved. A true miracle. 🙏
As a Norwegian and fellow Scandinavian I love how you can hear the characteristic little guttural sound he makes when singing things like "ljuset" (the light) and in the middle of some of his other "U" and "I" sounds. Wich is one of the two typical sounds that you would have to be born and raised in Sweden be able to make. Although the Danes are well known for doing a similar thing at the end of words. The technique, if you will, would make it much more difficult to sing those notes, I imagine. As the sound is formed by half closing of the note or word far back in the throat. And it definitely breaks with classical music training. But it is so so beautiful and so so typical and characteristic Swedish, and I really appreciate him putting more of his amazing personality and personal touch in this amazing performance.
Did you notice his voice having that shimmering brassy sound like the bells? I literally see the Night opening before my eyes when I heard this song. And the finale! It's like an absolute conviction on the truth of the message. I like Jussi's version even more than Pavarotti's one. There is such a wide range of emotions; the amazement on the message, the tenderness at the cradle and the power of the heavenly truth. I also like it in Swedish. I hear more power and lyricism in the Swedish language.
I didnt know this until I worked as a touristguide on an old swedish boat with a portrait of Jussi. Sometimes when I mentioned it, people from all over the world came up to me and said "Jussi Björling, omg, he is the best", always in an emotional way, it was striking! I was like yeah sure idk haha :)
@@audhumbla6927 Great story, but not surprising, if they know anything about great singing, they know Jussi. Here is his great celebration of music ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wNODHvkAqZk.html Music gives us peace and rest, for both heart and soul! We can escape to it in hard times.
Thanks for reacting to this, Jussis version of O helga natt is the boooomb Fun fact, Christopher Lee was in Stockholm one time and Jussi heard him sing and actually offered him to come and learn Opera!
Fun fact: Jussi Björling once suggested to Christopher Lee, after hearing him sing, to apply to the Stockholm Opera House. Lee was accepted, but couldn't afford to stay and study.
You'll probably be surprised to hear that Sweden used to have lots of talented opera singers. We think of Italy but there's actually quite a few Swedish singers as well. Nicolai Gedda, Jenny Lind, Birgit Nilsson and many more. It was a big export back in the days!
Used to? We've still got them! :-) Anne Sofie von Otter, Peter Mattei, Nina Stemme and Malin Byström are some of the world-famous Swedish opera singers of today.
@@katam6471 Before I heard Dmitri Hvorostovsky the first time, I thought that Jose van Dam and our own Håkan Hagegård had the most beautiful baritone voices! Also many Swedish choirs have reached phantastic heights. Sweden is a very versatile music-country, but not so much so in the symphonic genre. But Larsson's Förklädd Gud is a good compensation for that. And Jussi is the top of the top when it comes to tenors.
@@DNA350ppm I've actually sung Förklädd Gud, a memory I treasure. :-) And I think there is a lot of good Swedish classical music. Roman's Drottningholmsmusik, Stenhammar's Piano Concerto nr. 1, Berwald's Sinfonie singulière", Petterson-Berger's Frösöblomster and Alfvén's Midsommarvaka just to mention a few of the more well known. But that's not the music for this cannel, i suppose.
@@katam6471 Bravissima! It must have been awesome! Which part is your favourite? Yes, there is a lot of good classical Swedish music, but the big really great captivating symphonies - haven't revealed themselves to me, yet. But I do love all the compositions you mention, and many more. Sweden also has /had/ many very great conductors! And ballet and theater and film, must also be mentioned. But the "lagom"- genres of pop, jazz, folk, etc, are actually Sweden's forte, I suspect. And the Swedish openness to other nation's musicians. Many have come to Sweden and found a favourite audience, and some have stayed. BTW I think Jonathan is learning Swedish through songs, so I have suggested Koppången, with Malena Ernman or Ann-Sofie von Otter, lyrics by Py Bäckman. And I think Förklädd Gud is even a level or two higher, in every respect.
@@DNA350ppm My favorit part to listen to is 'Kring höstlig vaktelds bränder'. But the choir don't have much to do there, so the best part to sing would be another one. It's many years ago so I'm not sure, but I think my favourite part to sing would have been 'Välsignelse följer i gudarnas spår. Koppången is a good suggestion, I hope he will listen to it. For me though, it has to much of a folk music sound to be sung by an opera singer. Not that Malena or Ann-Sofie sings it badly, it's just that I personally prefer a more natural voice in that kind of songs. Nothing against opera voices though, I'm a big opera fan. :-)
Jussi was adamant about never singing out of his range. He thought the audience should never have to hear strained notes, so he always made sure he was more than well able for the highest and the lowest notes. That's why the sweetness of his voice always held
You know he was a mega star in the US...and the rest of the world. One of the leading operatic singers of the 20th century, Björling appeared for many years at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and less frequently at the major European opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London and La Scala in Milan. He sang the Italian, French and Russian opera repertory with taste.
Yesss! Så glad att du gjorde den här! Jag har en mycket stark åsikt om den här sången: om sångaren måste andas så det hörs mitt i "helga/holy" har den inte tillräcklig lungkapacitet utan bör välja en annan sång. Att andas efter "helga" är väl ok, men Jussi pausar inte märkbart där heller utan kör på till efter "natt", även när han brassar på för fullt. Magnificent är ordet!
Some Swedish Christmas song classics: Julen är här - Tommy Körberg & Sissel Kyrkjebö Tänd ett ljus - Triad Tomten jag vill ha en riktig Jul - Busungarna Mer Jul - Adolphson & Falk Mera Glögg - Galenskaparna & After Shave Jul igen - Just D
@@bbeightynine Den måste jag lyssna på. Jag kan inte riktigt med originalet, trots att det är två fantastiska röster som sjunger. Jag kan liksom inte smälta att Tommy, när han i andra versen ska sjunga "här är den" och det ska då rimma på föregående strof som slutar med "världen", väljer att sjunga "här é den" i stället. Det är en sån dundermiss i produktionen, nån borde ha sagt ifrån!
This has been one of my favorite Christmas songs forever, goose-bump material! Seeing the reaction reaction of a black music lover (the most musical race on this planet!) only confirms that.
He's widely considered the greatest tenor of the 20th century - above Caruso and Pavarotti. In fact, Pavarotti would listen to Jussi's recording of an opera before he started to learn it. When asked if he thought he was better than Jussi his response was, "Oh please, I'm only human." He and Robert Merrill, a baritone at the Met were friends and made several albums together. Their recording of The Pearl Fishers Duet (one of the best duets in all opera IMO) is on RU-vid and must listen to. Bizet at his best with two great voices, though it is the tenor who carries the song.
Some others have commented about Jussi's "Till Havs", there is one where he preforms it for the Swedish Television on RU-vid. One of his more powerful preformances for sure, highly recommended.
I'm glad you listened to the voice of the people and choose Jussi instead. I must say it was a pleasure to watch you discover this great voice. When it comes to rolling the 'r', it's to make it easer to hear the lyrics. It's very common in some kinds of music, like opera and other classical music, as well as in choir music.
I can add that the accent in for example Gothenburg rolls the R's like Jussi when he sings. But the standard Swedish and Stockholm accents keeps it more soft, a little bit closer to the American sound.
O Holy Night was composed by Adolphe Adam, who also composed the ballet Giselle. The opening lyric in the original French is Minuit Chrétien. To quote Pavarotti: "“When I'm learning a new opera role, I first listen to how Jussi Björling sang it. His voice was unique. I wish more than anything that people compare me with Jussi.”
Varje gång jag hör denna sång - och det är åtminstone ett fåtal gånger varje år i december - så är det som att jag håller andan, i vad man skulle kunna kalla en bokstavlig andakt. Jussis röst var något alldeles unikt och han kunde ta höga toner med sådan lätthet. ♥ Utöver sin klassiska repertoar har han flera rätt "patriotiska" sånger inspelade, så som "Sverige" och "Nämner du Sverige", vilka också är mycket vackra. (Det drillande R:et är mycket tydligare hos göteborgare och de dialekter som finns därikring, där jag själv vax upp för övrigt.)
It's important to note that the reason why Sweden starts with christmassy things already in November is due to the First Sunday of Advent. It can fall on any date between 27 November and 3 December. So many choirs, for example, have concerts that weekend. It's the start of Christmas all over this country. And November is a dark month, so we look forward to lightening up our candelabra, both with electricity and with real candles. :) And of course, Jussi Björling's O helga natt is played and sung all over, too! :)
If you want a true swedish song, which is not really a Christmas song but it has that Christmas feeling, I would recommend Koppången. It is written by Kalle Moraeus, who is a well known musician, violinist of the swedish folkmusik tradition. The song has been recorded by many great singers, like Helen Sjöholm and Sissel Kyrkjebø, but I would recommend you to listen to the instrumental version with Kalle Moraeus himself first! This beautiful song needs no lyrics to be great!
@@lillayster Helt korrekt, fel av mig! Det stod "av Kalle Moraeus" där jag läste men det var nog MED Kalle Moraeus som menades. Hur som helst så är den fantastiskt vacker när Kalle spelar den på fiol. Det är så mycket känsla i den musiken!
Jussi hade fantastiskt röst! En riktig klassiker! Roligt att höra gammaldags sångteknik och det gamla välartikulerade sättet att sjunga med tydliga R! 😁
Thank you so much for the Jussi piece. It is so tragic the American people have so little exposure to classical music, and in particular the African-American people who have produced not just a national treasure in Wynton Marsalis but many of the greatest female operatic voices ever. Can you imagine if a course on these subjects was mandatory in schools?
Tröttnar aldrig på Jussis version, sån känsla och styrka i hans röst! Ryser i hela kroppen, särskilt i slutet av sången. En vacker julsång är Peter Jöback´s : Jag kommer hem igen till jul
Jussi Björling is without a doubt one of the finest opera singers of all time and as such he is one of the best singers of all time because of the way an opera singer has to work to perform. Consider this, when an opera singer performs he/she is always going for the world record, every time. When a pop, jazz, or any other kind of singer performs, they make art on a different kind of level... still art and still beautiful but not on the same kind of level. One of the only other kinds of singers that are able to match it is Édith Piaf. It takes the passion for the arts to completely another level. Jussi is one of the greatest of all time!
I heard this song, and I swore to myself that before I died I would sing this like Jussi... And I did, and I'm a second base and he is a high tenor... 20 years after I was on stage in Carnegie Hall singing at Sir Karl Jenkins 75 year birthday... Just because of this song... Never lose your dreams! Someday they...
7:35 I love your commentary, dude. Exactly like that. He paces himself, honours the meaning of the song. The melancholy, the triumphant reconning of a god comming down to earth and freeing and uniting all men. Incredible interpritation, and i say that as a regular swedish atheist ;)
About the rolling Rs, as you said Swedes don't typically roll the Rs that hard in normal speech but back in the days it was all about pronouncing as clearly as you can on a stage or on recordings, kinda like how news reporters tend to have that same flat accent in every language. It's still a thing you can hear in today's theater/opera settings. I'm sure it exists in other languages, I know it happens with british accents even though they tend to "swallow" their Rs normally. A morbid but well-known example is that german guy with a funny mustache that delivered angry speeches rolled his Rs hard despite him having a very different accent. Tl;dr it's an old-school clarity-thing.
Extra tip: I think you live in the south of Stockholm. On every Christmas Eve we have a celebration on Årsta Torg where the story of the Holy Family and the birth of Christ is recreated. And it all ends with "O Helga Natt" by the church choir - maybe it´s not up to Jussi´s standard but we have got a pretty good tenor. Årsta Torg 24th december 22:00! (Glögg and palestinian treats are served...)
For me, this is not only how he performs, it is also childhood memories of my grandmother truly enjoying this song on the radio, when it came to Christmas. I guess I am not alone with family memories around this variant. I would call it a very true Swedish classic, that goes beyond just the music. Not sure if you have already reacted to it, but another song - a mirror of the Swedish soul, is "Visa från Utanmyra", best version from Jan Johansson. That song can make some Swedes cry. One can hear the hard times Sweden has experienced in that song.
Jussi was a risk taker with his singing. He exposed his Soul. If you never take any risks with your singing, never showing vulnerability, you won't touch people like he did.
I love your suprised reaction! Please listen and react to something heartbreakingly beautiful, a connection between USA and Sweden that we should always be grateful for: Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill sing the duet from the Pearlfishers. Maybe after Christmas? To be found on RU-vid! Thankk you for discovering Jussi Björling, join in the Swedish awe for the best tenor in the history of recorded music. For more Swedish (modern) Christmas music - try Malena Ernman singing Koppången (a place name) with Christmas lyrics by Py Bäckman - also uploaded to RU-vid.
Christmas in Sweden starts on Christmas Eve, the 24th of December and ends on the 13th of January. Before Christmas we celebrate the 4 Sundays of Advent. Advent means "the coming" ie of Christ. That's it folks! Enjoy Jussi Björling, the greatest tenor of all times.His singing brings tears to my eyes every time. His voice has the rare combination of lightness and enormous force. Don't ever mention Mariah Carrey at the same time as our Jussi!
You've asked for patriotic songs on a few occasions, and I'd say Jussi is part of the reason why nobody does them (also Swedish patriotic songs are often about how we used to fight great wars and win battles, which put some people off, have a listen to "Kung Karl, den unge hjälte for an example", or just "Du gamla du fria"), apart from our general attitude to patriotism. A lot of patriotic songs were written a few decades before Jussi was born, they are all pretty hard to sing, Jussi sang them, and his versions are simply untouchable. Nobody will try to do "Nämner du Sverige" or "Land du välsignade", because they won't be anywhere near as good as Jussis versions.
But Jussi had a schooled voice, of course he'd voice the rs (no pun...). Pronunciation used to be a word of honour among the old-school SWE film stars as well, Sif Ruud and Kulle like et.al.
We do have the tradition of Lucia on the 13th of december even though it's part of the christmas. It may be one of the weirdest tradition we have since we celebrate a Italian saint.
