Axel Stordahl (August 8, 1913– August 30, 1963) was an arranger who was active from the late 1930s through the 1950s. He is perhaps best known for his work with Frank Sinatra in the 1940s at Columbia Records. With his sophisticated orchestrations, Stordahl is credited with helping to bring pop arranging into the modern age.
Early years
Stordahl was born in Staten Island, New York to Norwegian immigrant parents. He began his career as a trumpeter in jazz bands which played in several dance bands around Long Island and the Catskills during the late 1920s and early 1930s. He also began arranging around this time, and in 1933 he joined Bert Bloch's orchestra in both capacities. Over the next couple of years, Stordahl sang on the side in a vocal trio dubbed the Three Esquires.
Big bands
In 1935, he joined Tommy Dorsey's new orchestra and soon became the band's main arranger. In January 1940, Sinatra joined the group as vocalist, and it became apparent that Stordahl's arrangements were particularly well suited to the singer's voice.
"Begin the Beguine" is a popular song written by Cole Porter. Porter composed the song between Kalabahi, Indonesia, and Fiji during a 1935 Pacific cruise aboard Cunard's ocean liner Franconia. In October 1935, it was introduced by June Knight in the Broadway musical Jubilee, produced at the Imperial Theatre in New York City.
Music
A Beguine was originally a Christian lay woman of the 13th or 14th century living in a religious community without formal vows, but in the creole of the Caribbean, especially in Martinique and Guadeloupe, the term came to mean "white woman", and then to be applied to a style of music and dance, and in particular a slow, close couples' dance. This combination of French ballroom dance and Latin folk dance became popular in Paris and spread further abroad in the 1940s, largely due to the influence of the Porter song.
Based on the title dance, the song is notable for its 108-measure length, departing drastically from the conventional thirty-two-bar form. Where a typical "standard" popular song of its time was written in a fairly strict 32-measure form consisting of two or three eight-measure subjects generally arranged in the form A-A-B-A or A-B-A-C, "Begin the Beguine" employs the form A-A-B-A-C1-C2 with each phrase being sixteen measures in length rather than the usual eight. The final "C2" section is stretched beyond its 16 measures an additional twelve bars for a total of 28 measures, with the twelve additional measures providing a sense of finality to the long form.
Begin the Beguine (Spanish:Volver a Empezar) is a 1982 Spanish film written and directed by José Luis Garci, starring Antonio Ferrandis. The plot follows the story of a Spaniard who returns to his homeland after many years in exile when he wins the Nobel Prize in literature. Its original Spanish title is Volver a Empezar, which means Starting Again.
It is the year 1981, the famous writer Antonio Albajara (Antonio Ferrandis) arrives at Gijón, his hometown, from Stockholm, where he has just received the Nobel Prize in Literature. For forty years, Albajara has been a professor of medieval literature at the University of Berkeley, California. He has alternated his teaching with the literary production that has given him worldwide fame. In Gijón, Antonio is reunited with Elena, his first and great love, before he was forced to his exile in 1937 Civil War. However, this visit is not definitive because a serious and deadly disease affects the writer.
Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra ''Dreamtime The Strings of Stordahl'' 1953
Pistas
A1 As Time Goes By
A2 A Blues Serenade
A3 It's Easy To Remember
A4 That Old Feeling
B1 Imagination
B2 What Is There To Say
B3 Love Letters
B4 I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
published: 05 Dec 2019
"Night and Day" (1942) Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl
"Night and Day" (1942) Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl
published: 06 Aug 2021
DREAM TIME-The Strings of Stordahl(1953)/Orchestra conducted by AXEL STORDAHL
as time goes by
a blues serenade
it's easy to remember
that old feeling
imagination
what is there to say?
love letters
i’m getting sentimental ouer you
published: 21 Dec 2021
Axel Stordahl - Neiani
Axel Stordahl
Neiani
Jasmine & Jade (1960)
Dot Records (DLP 25282)
published: 18 Feb 2013
Axel Stordahl - The Moon of Manakoora (1960)
The Moon of Manakoora
Composer: Alfred Newman
Performer: Axel Stordahl & Orchestra
Label: Dot DLP 25282 - Track A3
Recorded: 1960
published: 08 May 2011
Axel Stordahl - Imagination (1953)
Imagination from the LP 'Dreamtime'
Composer: Jimmy Van Heusen
Performer: The Strings Of Axel Stordahl
Label: Capitol H445 - Track B1
Recorded: 1953
published: 31 Oct 2011
Frank Sinatra - The Coffee Song 1946 Axel Stordahl orchestra
Frank Sinatra - The Coffee Song 1946 - Axel Stordahl orchestra
published: 07 Oct 2012
Over the Rainbow (feat. Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra, the George Siravo Orchestra, Hugo...
Provided to YouTube by Universe Remasterings
Over the Rainbow (feat. Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra, the George Siravo Orchestra, Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra) · Frank Sinatra · Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra · the George Siravo Orchestra · Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra · Edgar Yip Harburg · Harold Arlen · Edgar Yip Harburg · Harold Arlen
The Voice: Songs by Sinatra / Swing and Dance with Frank Sinatra (1942 - 1951 Columbia Years)
℗ Universe Remasterings
Released on: 2013-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 07 Jun 2018
Rick Stephenson - As Vintage As It Gets - Volume 3 - These Foolish Things
Written by Eric Maschwitz and Jack Strachey in 1935, recorded by Frank Sinatra on Columbia Records in 1946. As always, a real joy to add my voice to this Axel Stordahl arrangement.
Pistas
A1 As Time Goes By
A2 A Blues Serenade
A3 It's Easy To Remember
A4 That Old Feeling
B1 Imagination
B2 What Is There To Say
B3 Love Letters
B4 I'm ...
Pistas
A1 As Time Goes By
A2 A Blues Serenade
A3 It's Easy To Remember
A4 That Old Feeling
B1 Imagination
B2 What Is There To Say
B3 Love Letters
B4 I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Pistas
A1 As Time Goes By
A2 A Blues Serenade
A3 It's Easy To Remember
A4 That Old Feeling
B1 Imagination
B2 What Is There To Say
B3 Love Letters
B4 I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
as time goes by
a blues serenade
it's easy to remember
that old feeling
imagination
what is there to say?
love letters
i’m getting sentimental ouer you
as time goes by
a blues serenade
it's easy to remember
that old feeling
imagination
what is there to say?
love letters
i’m getting sentimental ouer you
as time goes by
a blues serenade
it's easy to remember
that old feeling
imagination
what is there to say?
love letters
i’m getting sentimental ouer you
Provided to YouTube by Universe Remasterings
Over the Rainbow (feat. Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra, the George Siravo Orchestra, Hugo Winterhalter and His Or...
Provided to YouTube by Universe Remasterings
Over the Rainbow (feat. Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra, the George Siravo Orchestra, Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra) · Frank Sinatra · Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra · the George Siravo Orchestra · Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra · Edgar Yip Harburg · Harold Arlen · Edgar Yip Harburg · Harold Arlen
The Voice: Songs by Sinatra / Swing and Dance with Frank Sinatra (1942 - 1951 Columbia Years)
℗ Universe Remasterings
Released on: 2013-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universe Remasterings
Over the Rainbow (feat. Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra, the George Siravo Orchestra, Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra) · Frank Sinatra · Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra · the George Siravo Orchestra · Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra · Edgar Yip Harburg · Harold Arlen · Edgar Yip Harburg · Harold Arlen
The Voice: Songs by Sinatra / Swing and Dance with Frank Sinatra (1942 - 1951 Columbia Years)
℗ Universe Remasterings
Released on: 2013-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Written by Eric Maschwitz and Jack Strachey in 1935, recorded by Frank Sinatra on Columbia Records in 1946. As always, a real joy to add my voice to this Axel S...
Written by Eric Maschwitz and Jack Strachey in 1935, recorded by Frank Sinatra on Columbia Records in 1946. As always, a real joy to add my voice to this Axel Stordahl arrangement.
Written by Eric Maschwitz and Jack Strachey in 1935, recorded by Frank Sinatra on Columbia Records in 1946. As always, a real joy to add my voice to this Axel Stordahl arrangement.
When they begin
the beguine
it brings back the sound
of music so tender
it brings back a night
of tropical splendor
it brings back a memory of green
I'm with you once more
under the stars
and down by the shore
an orchestras playing
and even the palms
seem to be swaying
when they begin
the beguine
to live it again
is past all endeavor
except when that tune
clutches my heart
and there we are swearing to love forever
and promising never
never to part
a moments divine
what rapture serene
to clouds came along
to disperse the joys we had tasted
and now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
so dont let them begin the beguine
let the love that was once a fire
remain an ember
let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
when they begi...
published: 14 Jan 2012
Begin The Beguine - (Julio Iglesias) - Rhumba - Cover by Horia Ioan - Yamaha Genos
Ein sehr gefühlsvolles Lied. Ein Lied welche ich seit über 30 Jahre sehr liebe. Die fantastisch gesungene Variante von Julio Iglesias hatte ich mir ausgewählt und daraus entstand wieder eine Rhumba.
published: 23 Feb 2019
Begin The Beguine
Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell doing Begin The Beguine from The Broadway Melody of 1940.
No copyright infringement intended
published: 22 Mar 2011
Johnny Mathis - BEGIN THE BEGUINE - SPECIAL 12'' DISCO VERSION - 1979 + LYRICS
Orig. 12-inch DISCO-Version, 1979. BEST VERSION OF ALL TIME! .HERE COMES THE LYRICS:
When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
It brings back a memory ever green
I'm with you once more under the stars
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine
To live it again is past all endeavor
Except when that tune clutches my heart
And there we are, swearing to love forever
And promising never, never to part
What moments divine, what rapture serene
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
So don't let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was o...
published: 27 Jan 2014
JULIO IGLESIAS - BEGIN THE BEGUINE HQ
EXTRAORDINARIO TEMA DE UN GRANDE DE LA MUSICA EN ESPAÑOL, EN CASTELLANO ESTO SE LLAMA "VOLVER A EMPEZAR"
published: 12 Nov 2015
Mario Frangoulis - Begin The Beguine - With extras
When they begin
the beguine
it brings back the sound
of music so tender
it brings back a night
of tropical splendor
it brings back a memory of green
I'm wit...
When they begin
the beguine
it brings back the sound
of music so tender
it brings back a night
of tropical splendor
it brings back a memory of green
I'm with you once more
under the stars
and down by the shore
an orchestras playing
and even the palms
seem to be swaying
when they begin
the beguine
to live it again
is past all endeavor
except when that tune
clutches my heart
and there we are swearing to love forever
and promising never
never to part
a moments divine
what rapture serene
to clouds came along
to disperse the joys we had tasted
and now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
so dont let them begin the beguine
let the love that was once a fire
remain an ember
let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
when they begin the beguine
oh yes let them begin the beguine
make them play
til the stars that were there before
return above you
till you whisper to me
once more darling I love you
and we suddenly know what heaven we're in
when they begin
the beguine
When they begin
the beguine
it brings back the sound
of music so tender
it brings back a night
of tropical splendor
it brings back a memory of green
I'm with you once more
under the stars
and down by the shore
an orchestras playing
and even the palms
seem to be swaying
when they begin
the beguine
to live it again
is past all endeavor
except when that tune
clutches my heart
and there we are swearing to love forever
and promising never
never to part
a moments divine
what rapture serene
to clouds came along
to disperse the joys we had tasted
and now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
so dont let them begin the beguine
let the love that was once a fire
remain an ember
let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
when they begin the beguine
oh yes let them begin the beguine
make them play
til the stars that were there before
return above you
till you whisper to me
once more darling I love you
and we suddenly know what heaven we're in
when they begin
the beguine
Ein sehr gefühlsvolles Lied. Ein Lied welche ich seit über 30 Jahre sehr liebe. Die fantastisch gesungene Variante von Julio Iglesias hatte ich mir ausgewählt ...
Ein sehr gefühlsvolles Lied. Ein Lied welche ich seit über 30 Jahre sehr liebe. Die fantastisch gesungene Variante von Julio Iglesias hatte ich mir ausgewählt und daraus entstand wieder eine Rhumba.
Ein sehr gefühlsvolles Lied. Ein Lied welche ich seit über 30 Jahre sehr liebe. Die fantastisch gesungene Variante von Julio Iglesias hatte ich mir ausgewählt und daraus entstand wieder eine Rhumba.
Orig. 12-inch DISCO-Version, 1979. BEST VERSION OF ALL TIME! .HERE COMES THE LYRICS:
When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender
It...
Orig. 12-inch DISCO-Version, 1979. BEST VERSION OF ALL TIME! .HERE COMES THE LYRICS:
When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
It brings back a memory ever green
I'm with you once more under the stars
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine
To live it again is past all endeavor
Except when that tune clutches my heart
And there we are, swearing to love forever
And promising never, never to part
What moments divine, what rapture serene
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
So don't let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
When they begin the beguine
Let them begin the beguine, make them play
Till the stars that were there before return above you
Till you whisper to me once more, darling, I love you
And we suddenly know what heaven we're in when they begin
When they begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine
Orig. 12-inch DISCO-Version, 1979. BEST VERSION OF ALL TIME! .HERE COMES THE LYRICS:
When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
It brings back a memory ever green
I'm with you once more under the stars
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine
To live it again is past all endeavor
Except when that tune clutches my heart
And there we are, swearing to love forever
And promising never, never to part
What moments divine, what rapture serene
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
So don't let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
When they begin the beguine
Let them begin the beguine, make them play
Till the stars that were there before return above you
Till you whisper to me once more, darling, I love you
And we suddenly know what heaven we're in when they begin
When they begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine
Gala Performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London
2004
"... It could have been 'us' in the same situation and we would desperately want someone to help 'us'...
Pistas
A1 As Time Goes By
A2 A Blues Serenade
A3 It's Easy To Remember
A4 That Old Feeling
B1 Imagination
B2 What Is There To Say
B3 Love Letters
B4 I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
as time goes by
a blues serenade
it's easy to remember
that old feeling
imagination
what is there to say?
love letters
i’m getting sentimental ouer you
Provided to YouTube by Universe Remasterings
Over the Rainbow (feat. Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra, the George Siravo Orchestra, Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra) · Frank Sinatra · Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra · the George Siravo Orchestra · Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra · Edgar Yip Harburg · Harold Arlen · Edgar Yip Harburg · Harold Arlen
The Voice: Songs by Sinatra / Swing and Dance with Frank Sinatra (1942 - 1951 Columbia Years)
℗ Universe Remasterings
Released on: 2013-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Written by Eric Maschwitz and Jack Strachey in 1935, recorded by Frank Sinatra on Columbia Records in 1946. As always, a real joy to add my voice to this Axel Stordahl arrangement.
Axel Stordahl (August 8, 1913– August 30, 1963) was an arranger who was active from the late 1930s through the 1950s. He is perhaps best known for his work with Frank Sinatra in the 1940s at Columbia Records. With his sophisticated orchestrations, Stordahl is credited with helping to bring pop arranging into the modern age.
Early years
Stordahl was born in Staten Island, New York to Norwegian immigrant parents. He began his career as a trumpeter in jazz bands which played in several dance bands around Long Island and the Catskills during the late 1920s and early 1930s. He also began arranging around this time, and in 1933 he joined Bert Bloch's orchestra in both capacities. Over the next couple of years, Stordahl sang on the side in a vocal trio dubbed the Three Esquires.
Big bands
In 1935, he joined Tommy Dorsey's new orchestra and soon became the band's main arranger. In January 1940, Sinatra joined the group as vocalist, and it became apparent that Stordahl's arrangements were particularly well suited to the singer's voice.
When they begin
the beguine
it brings back the sound
of music so tender
it brings back a night
of tropical splendor
it brings back a memory of green
I'm with you once more
under the stars
and down by the shore
an orchestras playing
and even the palms
seem to be swaying
when they begin
the beguine
to live it again
is past all endeavor
except when that tune
clutches my heart
and there we are swearing to love forever
and promising never
never to part
a moments divine
what rapture serene
to clouds came along
to disperse the joys we had tasted
and now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
so dont let them begin the beguine
let the love that was once a fire
remain an ember
let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
when they begin the beguine
oh yes let them begin the beguine
make them play
til the stars that were there before
return above you
till you whisper to me
once more darling I love you
and we suddenly know what heaven we're in
when they begin
the beguine
Ein sehr gefühlsvolles Lied. Ein Lied welche ich seit über 30 Jahre sehr liebe. Die fantastisch gesungene Variante von Julio Iglesias hatte ich mir ausgewählt und daraus entstand wieder eine Rhumba.
Orig. 12-inch DISCO-Version, 1979. BEST VERSION OF ALL TIME! .HERE COMES THE LYRICS:
When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
It brings back a memory ever green
I'm with you once more under the stars
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine
To live it again is past all endeavor
Except when that tune clutches my heart
And there we are, swearing to love forever
And promising never, never to part
What moments divine, what rapture serene
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
So don't let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
When they begin the beguine
Let them begin the beguine, make them play
Till the stars that were there before return above you
Till you whisper to me once more, darling, I love you
And we suddenly know what heaven we're in when they begin
When they begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound of music so tender, It brings back a night of tropical splendor, It brings back a memory ever green. I'm with you once more under the stars, And down by the shore an orchestra's playing And even the palms seem to be swaying When they begin the beguine. To live it again is past all endeavor, Except when that tune clutches my heart, And there we are, swearing to love forever, And promising never, never to part. What moments divine, what rapture serene, Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted, And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted, I know but too well what they mean; So don't let them begin the beguine Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember; Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember When they begin the beguine. Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play Till the stars that were there before return above you, Till you whisper to me once more, Darling, I love you! And we suddenly know what heaven we're in,