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.
"Simple Gifts" is a Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett.
It has endured many inaccurate descriptions. Though often classified as an anonymous Shaker hymn or as a work song, it is better classified as a dance song.
Background and composition
The tune was written by Joseph Brackett (1797–1882) in 1848. Brackett, a lifelong resident of Maine, first joined the Shakers at Gorham, Maine, when his father's farm helped to form the nucleus of a new Shaker settlement.
Resurgence and enduring popularity
The song was largely unknown outside Shaker communities until Aaron Copland used its melody for the score of Martha Graham's ballet Appalachian Spring, first performed in 1944. Copland used "Simple Gifts" a second time in 1950 in his first set of Old American Songs for voice and piano, which was later orchestrated. Many people thought that the tune of "Simple Gifts" was a traditional Celtic one but both the music and original lyrics are actually the compositions of Brackett. "Simple Gifts" has been adapted or arranged many times since by folksingers and composers.
Founding member Linda Littleton began classical violin at age seven. Over the years she has studied with Joanne Zagst Feldman, Ray Montoni, and Geoffrey Michaels, and performed as Principal Second Violin with the Nittany Valley Symphony. She majored in philosophy at Princeton University, with a minor in music and a specialty in the philosophy of music. While at Princeton she studied music theory and composition with professors Paul Lansky, Claudio Spies, J.K. Randall, and others.
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.
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.
Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gain'd To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd, To turn, turn will be out delight