Kim Borg
An elegant artist with a firm, though not particularly large bass baritone, Kim Borg was heard most effectively in recital. His Metropolitan Opera debut appearances as Count Almaviva did not show him to advantage, for the best part of his voice lay somewhat lower and, when pushed for volume, the instrument could take on a brittle quality. In the smaller houses of Europe and on the concert stage, however, he was a commanding presence. His singing of the song literature, including the songs of Sibelius, was authoritative and finely nuanced and the frequent inclusion of one of Sarastro's arias demonstrated his resonant lower register and unfailing legato. Borg was also a composer of some note, having written two symphonies, a contemporary setting of the Stabat Mater, some chamber music, and a number of songs.
Borg's primary studies took place at Helsinki's Sibelius Academy, although he later undertook further training in Vienna, Rome, and even New York. After initially presenting himself as a concert singer, he entered the realm of opera in 1951 with a debut as Colline in Denmark. During that same period, he was engaged by Walter Legge for the role of Rangoni in a recording of Boris Godunov to be made with Boris Christoff. The success of that recording afforded Borg international recognition. Subsequently, he was engaged by the Glyndebourne Festival where his Don Giovanni was received in 1956 as well-sung, but far too severe. Similar misjudgments about the suitability of roles thwarted what might have been a more fruitful Metropolitan career. Nonetheless, Borg made himself welcome in Stockholm, where he became a member of the Royal Opera in 1960. Another positive relationship was forged with Hamburg, where he appeared frequently.
Borg's own Boris Godunov was a superb creation, one ideally tailored to his vocal gifts. In Europe, he confined himself largely to bass roles, including such deeper bass parts as Osmin, Baron Ochs, and Hagen. In 1980, Borg retired from the opera stage to concentrate on teaching at the Conservatory in Copenhagen, where he had become a professor of singing in 1972. During the years of his prime, Borg recorded often, most frequently song recitals and oratorios. Dvorák's Stabat Mater and Haydn's Creation are both worthy examples of his art.
© TiVo
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Sibelius: Orchestral Works (Remastered 2021)
Hans Rosbaud, Sudwestfunkorchester Baden-Baden, Kim Borg
Klassik - Erschienen bei SWR Classic am 08.10.2021
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Haydn: La creation (Live)
Gundula Janowitz, Fritz Wunderlich, Hermann Prey, Kim Borg, Wiener Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan
Klassik - Erschienen bei Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg am 01.01.1983
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Haydn: The Creation
Irmgard Seefried, Richard Holm, Kim Borg, Berliner Philharmoniker, Igor Markevitch
Klassik - Erschienen bei Deutsche Grammophon (DG) am 01.01.1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kim Borg: Essentials
Klassik - Erschienen bei Deutsche Grammophon (DG) am 19.07.2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Immortal Recordings 1952 - 1954
Oper - Erschienen bei Finlandia Classics am 01.01.2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov
Boris Christoff, Nicolai Gedda, Eugenia Zareska, Kim Borg, Orchestre National de France, Issay Dobrowen
Klassik - Erschienen bei Warner Classics am 01.06.1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kim Borg sings Sibelius Songs
Klassik - Erschienen bei Deutsche Grammophon (DG) am 01.01.2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Anthologie du lied (Mono Version)
Erna Berger, Kim Borg, Josef Greindl
Klassik - Erschienen bei BNF Collection am 01.01.1957
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
15 Great Singers - Kim Borg sings Russian Opera Arias
Kim Borg, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Horst Stein
Klassik - Erschienen bei Deutsche Grammophon (DG) am 01.01.1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Suomalaisia lauluja (Arr. for Voice and Piano)
Klassik - Erschienen bei Finlandia Classics am 01.12.2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Lied Album
Kim Borg, Erik Werba, Robert Levin
Klassik - Erschienen bei Finlandia Classics am 14.01.2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Opera Album
Oper - Erschienen bei Finlandia Classics am 01.01.2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rossini: Stabat Mater
Maria Stader, Kim Borg, RIAS Symphonie-Orchester, Ferenc Fricsay
Klassik - Erschienen bei Deutsche Grammophon (DG) am 01.02.1955
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kauneimmat joululaulumme 2
Pop - Erschienen bei WM Finland am 16.05.2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Golden Years 1952 - 1956
Klassik - Erschienen bei Finlandia Classics am 01.01.2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Airs de concert pour basse, K. 513 & 612 (Mono Version)
Verschiedenes - Erschienen bei BNF Collection am 01.01.1957
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Lebendige Vergangenheit - Kim Borg
Münchner Philharmoniker, Kim Borg
Oper - Erschienen bei Preiser Records am 04.03.2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart & Beethoven: Airs de concert (Mono Version)
Maria Stader, Astrid Varnay, Kim Borg
Verschiedenes - Erschienen bei BNF Collection am 01.01.1957
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Me käymme joulun viettohon
Pop - Erschienen bei WM Finland am 25.04.2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kauneimmat joululaulumme
Pop - Erschienen bei WM Finland am 16.05.2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo