Edith Piaf at Berns in Stockholm, 1958
Choir and the Berns Grand Orchestra conducted by Robert Chauvigny.
Edith Piaf’s legendary concerts at Berns Salonger in Sweden are well-known. Even now—more than half a century later—it is said, ”I was there!” Edith Piaf had a large following in Sweden. The premiere on May 5, 1958, lasted nearly a month, with two performances each evening. Before that, a quarter of a million people had made a pilgrimage to Olympia in Paris to see her in March and April.
Among reviews after the premiere, one can read:
She is infinitely touching and captivating. She deserves to become Stockholmers’ darling as well. Svenska Dagbladet
Edith Piaf – the miracle… an extraordinary sensation. She is an intense piece of French tradition that makes many weekend trips unnecessary. StockholmsTidningen
Exceptional accompaniment by the Berns orchestra with an invisible choir under the direction of Robert Chauvigny. Aftonbladet
The unique recording of Edith Piaf’s engagement at Berns in Stockholm was given to us by Maria Cederberg Rydén, daughter of Eva and Ingvar Cederberg. At that time, they were studying at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and were engaged as a choir for Edith Piaf’s guest performance along with two fellow students. Maria Cederberg Rydén confirms what Aftonbladet’s reviewer writes above, that the choir was not allowed to be seen but had to stand behind a curtain on stage. Edith Piaf wanted to meet the audience alone. Maria Cederberg-Rydén recalls that her parents found it difficult to contact Edith Piaf; she kept to herself, but before the final performances, she showed the choir her appreciation, which they valued greatly. Edith Piaf was an idol, and they were proud to be a part of her guest performance at Berns. After the last performance, Edith Piaf was so exhausted that she was carried off the stage on a stretcher.
Lasse Zackrisson
Vax Records CD 1072 – Order the CD
1. Padam padam 3´25 (Norbert Glanzberg, Henri Contet) Universal Music Publishing Mgb Scandinavia AB
2. C’est pour ca 3´13 (Margueritte Monnot, Henri Alexandre Contet) Sony/Atv Music Publishing Scandinavia KB
3. Je hais les dimanches 3´49 (Charles Aznavour, Florence Veran) Editions Raoul Breton
4. My lost melody 4´45 (Margueritte Monnot, Raymond Asso) (Je n’en connais pas la fin) Sony/Atv Music Publishing Scandinavia KB
5. La foule 3´40 (Angel Cabral, Michel Rivgauche) Warner Chappell Music Scand AB
6. L’accordéoniste 4´10 (Michel Emer) Peermusic AB
7. Hymn to love 3´13 (Hymne a l’a mour) (Margueritte Monnot, Edith Piaf, Eddie Constantine) Universal/Reuter-Reuter Förlag
8. My love is for you 4´08 (Les Amants d’un jour) (Claude Delécluse, Margueritte Monnot, Michelle Senlis) Editions Beuscher Arpege
9. La goualante du pauvre Jean 2´32 (Margueritte Monnot, Rene Rouzaud) Sony/Atv Music Publishing Scandinavia KB / Universal Music Publishing AB
10. Bravo pour le clown! 3´45 (Henri Contet, Louiguy, Edith Piaf) Sony/Atv Music Publishing Scandinavia KB / Edition Bjorlund
11. La vie en rose 4´00 (Louiguy, Edith Piaf) Sony/Atv Music Publishing Scandinavia KB
Thanks to Eva Lagerheim
And warm thanks to Maria Cederberg Rydén for allowing us to publish this never previously released recording. A unique document from her parents’ collaboration with Edith Piaf.
Cover photo: TT News Agency/Expressen
Sound processing, mastering: Per Hallgren, Konfonium Audio AB
Graphic Design: Petra Ahston Inkapööl Producer: Lasse Zackrisson