Jussi Bjorling : His four recordings of O Helga Natt (O Holy Night) in chronological order

0:00 22nd Dec1945 New York.Unknown pianist (possibly Frederick Schauwecker)
4:25 21st Dec 1946 New York.Unknown pianist (possibly Frederick Schauwecker)
9:04 20th Dec 1954.Stockholm,Pianist Harry Ebert
14:00 8th Feb 1959.Stockholm,Conducter Nils Grevillius
These are the four wonderful recordings that Jussi Bjorling made of O Helga Natt (O Holy Night) in chronological order.
The glass master disc of the first recording (1945) was broken and I've attempted to restore the recording to at least give a performance without gaps, although the recording quality (not the singing) is still very poor.
The 1946 recording is brilliant and was apparently made in New York for short wave transmission to Sweden.
The 1954 recording is live and was made at the Stockholm Southern Hospital.
The 1959 recording should have been in stereo ,but along with others that Jussi recorded on that day it was recorded in mono as the engineer set the equipment wrongly.
The words as sung in Swedish, Jussi's native language are
O helga natt, o helga stund för världen
Då gudamänniskan till jorden steg ned
För att försona världens brott och synder
För oss han dödens smärta led
Och hoppets stråle går igenom världen
Och ljuset skimrar över land och hav
Folk, fall nu neder, och hälsa glatt din frihet
O helga natt, du frälsning åt oss gav
O helga natt, du frälsning åt oss gav
Ty frälsarn krossat våra tunga bojor
Vår jord är fri, himlen öppen nu är
Uti din slav du ser en älskad broder
Och se, din ovän blir dig kär
Från himlen bragte frälsaren oss friden
För oss han nedsteg i sin stilla grav
Folk, fall nu neder, och hälsa glatt din frihet
O helga natt, du frälsning åt oss gav
O helga natt, du frälsning åt oss gav
A translation to English of O Helga Natt is as follows:-
O holy night, o most holy moment in the world
When the son of God steps down onto the earth
To repent the world's crimes and sins
He suffered the pain of death for us
And a ray of hope shines through the world
And the light shimmers across the land and sea
People, fall to your knees, and happily meet your freedom
O holy night, you gave us salvation
O holy night, you gave us salvation
The Saviour removed our heavy shackles
Our Earth is free, heaven is open now
You see a beloved brother within your slave
And see, even your enemy loves you
The Saviour brought us peace from Heaven
And he descended to his quiet grave for us
People, fall to your knees, and happily meet your freedom
O holy night, you gave us salvation
O holy night, you gave us salvation
I've restored/remastered quite a few of Jussi's wonderful recordings either separately or as part of compilation videos and if you want to listen to them all the link to the playlist is
• Jussi Bjorling : Four ...

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

0:00 22nd Dec1945 New York.Unknown pianist 4:25 21st Dec 1946 New York.Unknown pianist 9:04 20th Dec 1954, Stockholm,Pianist Harry Ebert 14:00 8th Feb 1959, Stockholm,Conducter Nils Grevillius

[@mathiasjohannesson9833]

Michael McGrail, this is a fine collection of some of the few reasons for youtube. Thanks a lot. I love to hear Jussi sing this tune, it is a good inspiration. And sometimes I break down in tears of awe. At last a question, who is the gentleman besides Jussi at 7:05? Thanks again from Sweden.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@mathiasjohannesson9833 It's my pleasure Mathias thanks for listening/watching, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the video.It's a wonderful song and in my opinion, nobody sings it better than Jussi. The gentleman with Jussi at 7.05 is the Italian tenor Beniamino Gigli. I uploaded the 1959 recording again recently with a 1958 Christmas greeting from Jussi tagged on at the beginning and with coloured photos. If you wanted to watch it the link is kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKaqgZahqpd6nsU All the best from Yorkshire, England.

[@annem6714]

This song sung by Jussi Björling is what brings me Christmas every year. Thanks from Finland.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@annem6714 It's my pleasure, thank you for listening. Yes, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Jussi's O Helga Natt. Best regards from Yorkshire, England.

[@irishmike3514]

It does not have to be Christmas to listen to such incredible singing!

[@kylerbenedict9214]

Pro tip : watch movies at KaldroStream. Me and my gf have been using it for watching lots of of movies these days.

[@cullenalfonso609]

@Kyler Benedict yea, I've been watching on kaldroStream for since november myself :D

[@TheNeckbender]

How is this NOT the best version ever? I can't believe it. Its crystal clear. And the power and the orchestra is just what we love these days. It's just perfection.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for you comment, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed it. If ever you want to listen to the great 1959 recording with orchestra again, I uploaded an improved video with an added, spoken, Christmas greeting from Jussi, coloured photos and an on screen translation to English .If you have time to watch it I'm sure you'd enjoy it and the link to it is kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKaqgZahqpd6nsU Thanks again for listening.

[@elizabethgabber157]

Just wonderful!! Whenever I want to feel some peace, I listen to Jussi.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Elizabeth, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the video, Jussi was a wonderful singer.

[@expatusa6002]

He just blows me away ! There will never be another Jussi Bjorling. So sad he was taken too soon.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@expatusa6002]

@@michaelmcgrailengland No...thank YOU so much for posting this. I had never heard the second version, with piano accompaniment. With the possible exception of Frederica von Stade on songs like Dvorak's Moon Song, the only singers who can consistently leave me with a lump in my throat, and fighting back tears, are Kathleen Ferrier and Jussi Bjorling. One time only, unique talents, both. There is just something that separates folk like these into a class all of their own. Not just truly beautiful voices, but possessed of tremendous emotional content. I guess what, in a different genre of music, might be called 'soul'.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@expatusa6002 Thanks for your message, I agree completely with what you say about Jussi and the wonderful Kathleen Ferrier. I've heard of Frederica von Stade but never listened to her. I'll seek her out tmorrow!!

[@expatusa6002]

@@michaelmcgrailengland I just saw elsewhere that you hail from Yorkshire ? I moved to the USA about 10 years ago, but come from Leeds, West Yorkshire ! I would recommend you check out von Stade's 'Bailero', and others, from 'Songs of the Auvergne'. Kind Regards.

[@expatusa6002]

Moon Song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6i5inmmjpiJgpY Bailero from "Songs of the Auvergne": kzbin.info/www/bejne/laLdfouHjL1lh7s

[@celinejohnston3694]

My father's favourite tenor. Now I know why! His voice is liquid gold, surreal phenomenal. He's so good iti unreal.🇸🇪🐐.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Celine.

[@celinejohnston3694]

@@michaelmcgrailengland like yourself Michael McGrail. We know our opera singers. Bjorling is untouchable in this Christmas carol. His voice is liquid gold. I can't understand why people are saying David Phelps is just as good, he doesn't come close to Jussi bjorlings astonishing voice. And other excellent tenors, Caruso, Stefano, Pavarotti, McCormack, gedda, Wunderlich, Mario del Monaco , Mario lanza, Domingo, . And many more. These are all brilliant tenors. I can't understand why certain people say David Phelps is better! He never sang in the big operattas like these greats. Thank for this Michael McGrail. At least we know exceptional singing..

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@celinejohnston3694 Well Celine, I suppose the old saying "beauty is in in the eye (and ears) of the beholder" is very true as far as music is concerned and we should be grateful that we are able to appreciate the beauty in the great singers that you have mentioned. Thanks again for listening.

[@daviddenton6924]

Jussi 's voice to me is hearing the voice of God, everytime I hear this tears fill my eye's and I feel the emotion through my whole body. Thank you Jussi and God for giving us your wonderful gift. May you forever Rest in Peace 🙏

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening to this as well David. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from Yorkshire, England.

[@Brassi3]

At school in Finland we had to study Swedish, which I didn't like too much, but then my Swedish speaking mother played often Jussi Björling's records, and now when I listen to this incredible voice, I must admit I'm happy I understand the lyrics. These songs vividly remind me of my mother who adored this unique tenor. 💙

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Your mother had a very good taste in music and obviously passed it on to you. It's nice when music brings back happy memories.

[@slowhand4414]

God must weep with joy when He hears this beautiful hymn sang by the most magnificent voice He created. It's 1210A in NY Christmas 2019. Thank you, Michael, for giving us all this special gift. Merry Christmas!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your kind message,The pleasure is all mine and I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the video. Jussi's voice certainly was uniquely beautiful and, to my mind, he had a way of putting emotion into his singing that few, if any, singers have equaled. Best Christmas Wishes from Yorkshire,England.

[@fatlarry1184]

It's also 6:00PM in NY Christmas 2020....it's timeless

[@basssinger47]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Hallo Michael, ich antworte mal auf deutsch und hoffe, du kannst das übersetzen. Jussi war sicherlich einer der besten Tenöre überhaupt, bis heute. Ihm nahe kommt Fritz Wunderlich, der in Klangfarbe, Timbre und vokalen Transparenz Jussi nahe kommt. Jussi hatte allerdings das größere Volumen. In der Diktion waren beide gleich exzellent. Leider starb Wunderlich sehr viel früher, er hätte sonst auch eine Weltkarriere vor sich gehabt. Sein Tamino, behaupte ich, ist bis heute unerreicht. Viele Grüße Edgar

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@basssinger47 Hello Edgar. Yes, German is absolutely fine., one click on Google translate gives a pretty accurate translation. I certainly agree with what you say about Fritz Wunderlich, he was a wonderful singer with a great future ahead of him. I haven't uploaded many of his recordings because most of them are in good quality stereo and what I'm mainly trying to do is to help to preserve the names of the great artists of the past by improving the audio quality on the old mono recordings, particularly the acoustics made before 1925.I have found a few mono recordings of Fritz and shall get on to them in the near future. Best Regards, Michael.

[@basssinger47]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Hallo Michael. Danke für deine schnelle und kompetente Antwort. Es ist wunderbar, dass du die vielen Aufnahmen uns Allen auf KZbin zur Verfügung stellst. Ich bewundere dein Engagement und finde es absolut toll, dass du diese fabelhaften alten Sänger so in Ehren hältst. Bitte weiter so und herzlichen Dank dafür. Edgar

[@stolof]

Jussi sings absolutely amazing in all four versions and the 1946 version is to me the most exceptionally well sung and the voice is at its most beautiful. Thanks and God Jul!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

I've just found you message, the pleasure's all mine. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video and send you very best wishes for the New Year from Yorkshire, England.

[@suffes1]

Yes, 1946 is Björling in his most beautiful voice. The most perfect version of o Holy.

[@dubbelhenke854]

The 1946 version is pure magic. The ending. OMG. Thank you Jussi for your wonderful gift to all of us. 🎶💖

[@pigsonthewing08]

1946 version made me cry

[@dubbelhenke854]

The second version is pure heaven!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Dubbel, and I certainly agree with your comment.

[@isaiahjohnston823]

Jussi bjorlings voice is so powerful and sweet. Mario lanza was brilliant, but , jussi bjorlings voice is so powerful yet yielding it's unreal. He was called the Caruso of the north. If Caruso was around the same time as jussi bjorling, I'm sure bjorling would still be my favorite. His voice is priceless.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Isaiah.

[@anndonnelly7747]

Jussi - practically a member of my family after decades of loving his voice - his La Boheme convinced me that opera was "it" for me...

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Ann, Yes he is an inspirational singer, I hope that you enjoyed the video.

[@helenag3530]

As Pavarotti noted in an interview when asked implicitly to compare himself to Bjorling, "I'm only human!" Indeed. Bjorling had it all, a uniquely beautiful voice trained since childhood in his father's group of young male singers, an unimaginable control of legato, no trouble with high notes (as he put it, low notes challenged him!!), and excellent taste. He was short, stocky, no actor (he believed that a singer should act with his voice, which he certainly did), and an alcoholic, but for me he has been the sublime best of what opera singers offer. It is no accident that a survey of both American and British opera fans responded to a survey of who was the best operatic tenor ended with Bjorling the number one. Just listen to those four renditions of "O Holy Night," when he actually slightly overshoots the high note, and to his last recording of Madama Butterfly with Los Angeles, the year before is death, and you surely feel in touch with the divine! I have asked friends to play any of my numerous Bjorling recordings when I'm on my deathbed so as to leave the everyday world with the best it has to offer. Thank you so much for this post , Mr McGrail, and the photos that I've never seen before. And... warm greetings to those who understand Bjorling's unparalleled gifts.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

It's my pleasure Helena, thank you for listening and for your interesting comment, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the video. I've restored/remastered quite a few of Jussi's wonderful recordings and I've put links below to two that you might particularly like. The first is the 1959 recording of O Helga Natt with an added spoken Christmas greeting from Jussi, coloured photos and an on screen translation to English. The second video is of six great stereo recordings made in 1957. Thanks again for listening. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKaqgZahqpd6nsU kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioisi4l7bZWXraM

[@user-jl2ws7fu8x]

The Greates Opera singer ever!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks also for listening to this one James.

[@paullewis2413]

Opera singer covers all voice types. However if you mean opera tenors then yes probably he was/is the greatest ever.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@paullewis2413 Thanks for listening and for your comment Paul.

[@bjornhellman8474]

I want to meet with Jussi in heaven, Im sure he made it there, this was his call and the last performance was perfect and full with spirit, supernaturally inspired. He left the earth 6 months later.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Bjorn.

[@suffes1]

What a gem !! All 4 in one and the same post! 1945 - the lyrical sweet version. 1946 - the superior singing. 1954 - the emotional deep version and 1959 the immortal sacred version! Next Christmas we can put this one on in the morning and let it run all day. All inclusive! The statue on the picture at 0.38 stands on the square in Borlänge, Björling's birthplace. At Christmas, the statue sings O Holy Night so it echoes across the square.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for your message Suffes,I'm glad your pleased with it.Thanks also for the information about the "singing" statue,it sounds good.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Hello, I tried to read your message on the Kung Helmer video but it it seems to have gone, perhaps you deleted it. You have encouraged and supported me over the last two or three years and I would be grateful for any tips, suggestions or criticisms from you as I know that they would be given for the best reasons.

[@suffes1]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Hej! No, I did not remove it. Do not understand what happened. Have now posted what I remember I wrote.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@suffes1 Your new message only partly shows in notifications and I can't find it in the video comments, perhaps I've accidentally changed my settings. However I had a look at the email KZbin sent to me notifying me of your message and there it shows the full message including the link to the Jussi video. It is a nice song and I have it on a Naxos CD that, I think, is better audio quality than the one on KZbin.I might have a go at enhancing it and uploading it.

[@suffes1]

@@michaelmcgrailengland OK fine. Yes, it's a good idea to post it, I think you should. That melody really highlights how beautifully he could sing.

[@anderslandgren6745]

As a Swede, one has precious little to be proud of and cherish as contributions to civilisation these days. Jussi Björling, however.... Sound just flows _through_ him. So rich, so effortless, so full, so... overwhelming and perfectly controlled and elegant at the same time. The only christmas tradition I give a sh*te about any longer, actually :-D

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Anders.The music is the best thing about Christmas for me and Jussi's O Helga Natt is the cream on the coffee. I uploaded an improved version of his 1959 recording that I think you might like. It has slightly better audio quality, an added, spoken, Christmas greeting from Jussi, colourized photos and an on screen translation to English (although that, of course, will not be of use to you) .The link to the improved video is kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKaqgZahqpd6nsU

[@charger440]

They are all beautiful but the second one, I never get tired of listening. Thanks for posting Michael!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

I've just found your message Jocelyn. The pleasure's all mine, thanks for listening, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@suffes1]

Agree with you Jocelyn. 1946 is the most perfect and well-sung O Holy that exists. Then, of course, 1959 is the most bombastic, impressive and sacred version.

[@dubbelhenke854]

@@suffes1 The second version - you can hardly believe your ears, What a spectacular, shining, glorious voice!

[@user-os3hw9up8t]

His voice makes you cry. Perfect mix between vigor and subtlety. For me, if not the best, he stood on the podium!! Thank you, Jussi, for so much beauty... ❤️

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Alexis.

[@orlando098]

He's so great in this, thanks for the different versions. The 1946 and 1959 are both fabulous huh? But I had heard the last one before and it's nice to hear the other version with just piano

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for your comment. I've only recently found the 1946 version and I agree with you,as far as Jussi's singing is concerned it's on a par with 1959,but the orchestra in that one is just brilliant!

[@keltus_warrior6491]

Rich and splendid! He passed at such a young age; a mournful loss to our world.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment.

[@keltus_warrior6491]

@@michaelmcgrailengland I did not know about "Jussi" until seeing this post. I read that he died from alcoholism. My father was an alcoholic, and at times abusive. He died at age 61. His gifts were many, as were his torments and demons. Does anyone know abouit Jussi's children?

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@keltus_warrior6491Jussi had three children. Rolf was born out of wedlock when Jussi was just 17 and went on to be an opera singer. He died in 1993. Jussi had two other children to Anna-Lisa, the woman he married. They were Anders who died in 2022 and Ann-Charlotte who, as far as know, is still alive. I, like yourself, lived with an alcoholic and, although Jussi was described as an alcoholic by his wife in her biography of him I find it hard to believe that, if that were true, he could have achieved all that he did. I prefer to think of him as someone who drank too much.. It's possible that alcohol contributed to his death but he had an enlarged heart and died of a heart attack. Over a period before his death he had other heart attacks. Whatever the situation, nothing can take away his greatness as singer and I'm very pleased that my video introduced you to him.

[@keltus_warrior6491]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Thank you greatly for this follow up. This is such a sorrowful tale. As to Jussi's purported alcoholism, I'd prefer it if people did not speculate on such matters. However, a certain level of genius comes with alcoholism. My dad was a self-taught violinist and harmonicist (amateur). His next younger sister was a conservatory graduate concert level pianist and had drinking problems throughout her life.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@keltus_warrior6491 Sad stories, who knows what might have happened if drinking hadn't played it's part in their lives. By the way, I uploaded an improved version of the 1959 recording of O Helga Natt that I think you might like. It has slightly better audio quality, an added, spoken, Christmas greeting from Jussi, colourized photos and an on screen translation to English .The link to the improved video is kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKaqgZahqpd6nsU Thanks again for listening.

[@ramonavandermerwe1159]

The most beautiful and touching voice!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Ramona.

[@johnthomas5129]

Thank you Michael for this wanderfull four versions of Bjorling's recordings of O Helga Natt

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your message John,I'm glad you like the recordings.

[@Shoreseeker2]

Absolutely marvelous thank you.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment I'm glad you like the video.

[@bengtekman8616]

Thank you Michael! The 1946 and 1959 versions sound best to my ears. I think that it could be sung different, but not better. What a fantastic voice!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

It's my pleasure Bengt, thanks for listening, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. The 1946 and 1959 versions are wonderful.

[@FISTRIG]

Jussi had a most beautiful voice I have enjoyed for many many years !!! Thank you for these recordings !

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for your comment Ray.I'm glad you enjoyed listening to these recordings.

[@HugoLindmark]

Wow, that note at 8:13! My heart broke.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for you comment Hugo.

[@tazsu43]

Szívemig szárnyal az a gyönyörű hang !

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment.

[@ramonavandermerwe1159]

?

[@jbkleinbaum]

Thanks for posting this. Until recently, I only knew the last recording. The pianist in 1946 is almost certainly Frederick Schauwecker, who was Bjorling's regular accompanist in the US from 1945 until 1960. Chances are, he's also the pianist in 1945.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

It's my pleasure, thank you for listening and for your comment and you could well be right about the pianist.

[@raymondtonns2521]

Michael thanks for putting up photos of Herr Bjorlings' life and career . iceing on the cake

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening again Raymond, I'm really glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@Situnadei]

WONDERFUL, a voice for ETERNITY, MERRY CRHISTMAS

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening. Very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. If you wanted to listen to it again over the Christmas period I uploaded an improved version of the 1959 recording that I think you might like. It has slightly better audio quality, an added, spoken, Christmas greeting from Jussi, colourized photos and an on screen translation to English .The link to the improved video is kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKaqgZahqpd6nsU video

[@aktor789]

Thanks Michael McGrail for these exceptionally sublime recordings! This was the sound of my mothers radio at chritsmas time.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Mikael, I'm glad you enjoyed the music. Yes,I'm 78 now and this was the sort of music that was on the radio when I was young. I wish they still played it.

[@dubbelhenke854]

I had heard number three and four before. Number two is incredible. What a voice. Sweden has had 4 really great famous world opera stars, Jenny Lind, Christina Nilsson, Jussi Björling and Birgit Nilsson. Well yes Gedda, Von Otter, Branzell, Thorborg, Wixell, Ligendza, Söderström, Winbergh and others are very good but I'd say that the above 4 are the only true superstars in the opera history. Thank you for this ultra-interesting upload! Hälsning från Sverige. (Jag har varit på Jussi-museet i Borlänge flera gånger, och även besökt hans grav på Stora Tuna kyrkogård.)

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your message Dubbel,I'm really pleased that you like the video and if you visit Jussi's grave again please say hello and thank you to him from me. Best wishes for the New Year from Yorkshire, England..

[@PippaAT]

I would give anything to visit Jussi's grave, but alas, it is not possible. If ever you go again, please say a prayer, from a lady in England.

[@dubbelhenke854]

@@PippaAT I will and I promise not to forget it. Also for you Michael. 🌹🎶❤️Although I live a bit further away today, I will visit it at least once in snowy winter, once in jubilant spring and then in summer. Have you seen this wonderful program? Subtitles in English. The latter part when Jussi visits the grave of his parents and his beloved brother Gösta. 😢🌹🎶 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n33OZmiPjdR7jqs

[@PippaAT]

@@dubbelhenke854 Thankyou from the bottom of my heart. You can never know just how much that means to me. I cry tears of joy at the thought. ♥

[@PippaAT]

@@dubbelhenke854 I have seen the video, but shall now watch it again. The CD Three Legendary Tenors, about Jussi, Caruso and Gigli, is also excellent.

[@andersbergman252]

Nu mår jag mycket bra!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Tack for din kommentar Anders. Best wishes from England!

[@vickiw3335]

The most beautiful renditions you will ever hear. Check out the Jussi Bjorling Society-USA! We adore him!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Vicky. I uploaded the 1959 recording a few years ago and when I started colourizing the old black and white photos I did an updated version with improved audio, an added, spoken, Christmas greeting from Jussi and an on screen translation to English. If you would like to watch the video the link is kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKaqgZahqpd6nsU

[@reginaltedbrown]

Yes,GOD is very pleased .You can tell because of the tears .

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for you comment Reginal, I'm very pleased that you enjoyed the video.

[@brendanmccann2455]

Brilliant 👏🎭

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Brendan, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@jackarecito7270]

No one like Jussi.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment.

[@stege9979]

Those Swedish prononciations are perfect..as is our hero of all times..Jussi (the living God).

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment.

[@JoelFinkel]

There is no better singer of Adolphe Adam's masterpiece.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Joel .

[@barbarawhite8660]

There is no greater singer. Period.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@barbarawhite8660 Thanks for listening and for your comment Barbara.

[@gtjohnson1216]

Well...the great Pavarotti once said: "how can I be compared to him? "I'm only a man"

[@anderstjernstrom7173]

Someone once thought that Pavarotti was showing off and told him: -Who do you think you are, Jussi Bjorling?

[@basssinger47]

That says all. Humbling Pavarotti.

[@joelhoffman521]

4 of them are better than one

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Joel.

[@leonardopizzella7834]

Castellano: gracias. Catalán: gràcies. Euskera: eskerrik asko. Gallego: grazas. Inglés: thank you. Francés: merci. Italiano: grazie. Portugués: obrigado. Ruso: spasibo. Polaco: dziękuję Checo: Děkuji. Esloveno: dober dan. Quechua: Paschi. Aymara: Pachiqaña. Guaraní: Aguyje. Arabe: shokran. Japonés: Arigato. Chino: duō xiè

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Leonardo, I've never seen so many thank yous, but you'll just have to settle for "the pleasure's all mine" in English. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the video.

[@helenag3530]

Short, pudgy, and hapless on the stage (he believed an actor should act with his voice alone), he was the greatest tenor of all time (yes, 18:20 defies credulity!). I've listened to him, with gratitude to the fates that be, for most of my life and I plan to play his recordings on my deathbed, for hearing him is halfway to heaven!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Helena. You've probably heard enough of O Helga Natt for now but when you want to listen again, I uploaded an improved version of Jussi's 1959 recording with better sound quality, a spoke Christmas greeting from him and colourized photos. If you want to watch the video the link is kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKaqgZahqpd6nsU

[@helenag3530]

Too much or even enough of Jussi is impossible, and to think that this recording was a year before his death! Grazie mille!!!@@michaelmcgrailengland

[@georgkallstrom3036]

Det blir inte bättre än så!

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment Georg, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@georgkallstrom3036]

@@michaelmcgrailengland Sorry for the swedish! I’m very glad for your upload and that our Jussi Björling still lives! All the best! Georg

[@Xerxes89]

Thank you! Are they all sung in the same key?

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

It's my pleasure, thank you for listening. They are in different keys but I'm not sure whether they were actually sung like that or whether it's caused by varying recording speeds on the equipment used to make the recordings.

[@mariaekman13]

❤️‍🔥

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Maria, I'm glad that you like the video.

[@antoniosacca1767]

😂

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening Antonio.

[@barrusheb]

A pleasant voice but lightweight. The best version by far is Lanza's, but he sings anything better than any other tenor.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

Thanks for listening and for your comment. I disagree with you wnen you describe Jussi Bjorling's voice as "lightweight" and although I like Mario Lanza's recording of O Holy Night I think that it falls far short of Jussi Bjorling's 1959 recording. Just my opinion, of course. You may have seen them already but I've given links below to a couple of video's I uploaded that you might enjoy. The first is a comparison video of O Holy Night with Caruso, Lanza, Bjorling and Pavarotti and the second is Mario Lanza with eight arias from two Hollywood Bowl Concerts and many coloured photos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4HUfImZqsqNg5o kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV7Em4xshJ6Ao7M

[@elizabethgabber157]

@@michaelmcgrailengland I respectfully say that his voice is far from lightweight. He was a gift from God to us. Very very strong voice incredibly beautiful. Elizabeth.

[@michaelmcgrailengland]

@@elizabethgabber157 Thanks again for listening Elizabeth and I completely agree with you.

[@basssinger47]

So do I. Completly.

[@sananton2821]

lmao