When my Father Jussi was chosen as the 20th century’s leading male opera singer by English music critics at the turn of the century, we felt great joy and pride in the family. From my very early age I experienced singing and music at home, but most of all, I remember visiting the Opera house when Father sang. A strong memory was La bohème. I tried to hide my tears trickling down the cheek in the last act. Usually it was very exciting to sit in the orchestra seats and keep up with everything that happened on stage. Everyone wore make-up and strange costumes, but as soon as Father began to sing, I recognized him. It was easy. He sounded ‘different’ than the rest of the ensemble. My Father was in his early 30s and had then been singing for 25 years. Already at the age of four to five, my Father and his brothers began to learn the essentials of the art of singing under my grandfather David’s solid guidance.
I have spent a great deal of my life exploring the secrets of the Italian bel canto, conveyed by David and my Father, and I have reached the conclusion that there are no secrets; it is just the natural voice that has to be heard, free from settings and so-called tone formation. There is only one problem; it takes time. Manipulation of the voice in different ways to achieve quick results is doomed to fail. If I can contribute to pass the Björling singing tradition on to future generations of singers, I will be more than pleased. [Lars Björling]

• Verdi, Giuseppe (1813-1901)
  Requiem - Ingemisco
  Verdi, Giuseppe Il tramonto
  
  
• Mendelssohn, Felix (1809-1847)
  Elijah: - Ye people, rend your hearts
  
  
• Mozart, Wolfagang Amadeus (1756-1791)
  Ave verum corpus, K618
  
  
• Handel, George Friedrich (1685-1759)
  Messiah - Comfort ye my people and Ev'ry valley shall be exalted
  
  Xerxes - Ombra mai fu
  Jephtha - Waft her, angels, through the skies
  Atalanta - Care selve
  Semele - Where'er you walk
  
  
• Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750)
  St Matthew Passion - Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen, BWV244
  
  
  
• Schubert, Franz (1797-1828)
  Ave Maria, D839
  Erlkönig, D328
  Heidenröslein, D257
  Litanei auf das Fest Allerseelen, D343
  Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, D965
  
  
• Grieg, Edvard (1843-1907)
  Album for Mannsang No.10 - Den store, hvide flok vi se, Op.30
  
  
• Söderström, Nils B. (1894-1956)
  Herren är min herde
  
  
• Adam, Adolphe (1803-1856)
  O Holy Night
  
  
• Reger, Max (1873-1916)
  Mariä Wiegenlied, Op.76 No.52
  
  
• Wade, John Francis (1711-1786)
  O come, all ye faithful
  
  
• Frescobaldi, Girolamo (1583-1643)
  Voi partite mio sole
  Non mi negate ohime
  
  
• Gluck, Christoph Willibald (1714-1787)
  Paride ed Elena - O del mio dolce ardor
  
  
• Rossini, Gioacchino (1792-1868)
  Stabat Mater - Cujus animam gementem
  
  
  
• Bizet, Georges (1838-1875)
  Agnus Dei
  
  
• Haydn, Joseph (1732-1809)
  O Tuneful Voice, Hob. XXVIa:42
  The Wanderer, Hob. XXVIa:32
  Piercing Eyes, Hob. XXVIa:35
  
  
• Berlioz, Hector (1803-1869)
  Paride ed Elena - Villanelle, Op.7
  Paride ed Elena - Le Spectre de la rose, Op.7
  Les Nuits d'été - L'Île inconnue
  
  
• Nystroem, Gustaf (1890-1966)
  Sånger vid havet (Songs by the Sea)
  
  
• Bononcini, Giovanni Battista (1670-1774)
  Griselda - Per la gloria d'adorarvi
  
  
• Caccini, Giulio (1555-1618)
  Amarilli mia bella
  
  
• Copland, Aron (1900-1990)
  Long Time Ago
  
  
• Beach, Amy (1867-1957)
  Ah, Love, but a day!, Op.44, No.2
  
  
• Coates, Eric (1886-1957)
  I heard you singing
  
  
  
  
  
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