Recording Information
Classification: Stockholm Cast
Year of release: 1985
Language: Swedish
Type: Stage cast
Cast
Jesus of Nazareth…………Bruno Wintzell
Judas Iscariot…………Roger Pontare
Mary Magdalene…………Annika Skoglund
Pontius Pilate…………Cornelis Vreeswijk
King Herod…………Peter Harryson
Simon Zealotes…………Robert Biggles Sohlberg / Björn Wikström*
Caiaphas…………Rico Rönnbäck
Annas…………David Båvenholm
Peter…………Göran Rydh
Maid by the Fire…………Elisabeth Sjöström
Soldier…………Saeed Hooshidar
Old Man…………Robert Biggles Sohlberg
Priests…………Robert Biggles Sohlberg, Nicke Wagemyr
Soldiers…………Per Anderson, Jon Berger, Mark Dowling, Roberto Gonzales, Bengt Grönning, Peter Halström, Dave Nerge, Nicke Wagemyr
Herod Girls…………Susanne Häll, Anna Bella Munther, Brita Theresa Norman, Ariana Pizzignacco, Scotti L. Preston, Elisabeth Sjöström, Elisabeth Sterner, Åsa Thörnqvist
Asterisk (*) indicates that these two men possibly alternated in the role and were credited as such on the album.
Orchestra
Guitars: Lars Jonsson, Lars Wellander
Bass: Rutger Gunnarsson
Piano: Robert Wells
Piano, Synthesizer: Peter Ljung
Synthesizer: Lennart Sjöholm
Drums, Percussion: Klas Anderhell
Trumpets: Urban Agnas, Magnus Johansson, Leif Lindvall
Trombones: Walter Brolund, Mikael Råberg, Erik Stenborg
Flute: Jan Kling
Audio Production Information
Produced by Lennart Sjöholm
Engineers: Conny Ebegärd, Häkan Wollgärd, Pontus Olsson
Mixed by Häkan Wollgärd at Sonet Studios
Translation by Britt G. Hallqvist
Musical Direction by Lennart Sjöholm
Vocal Coach: Lars-Gunnar Björklund
Recorded at Sonet and KMH Studios, Autumn 1985
Thanks to our sponsors: SAS, Bonnierföretagen, H&M – the shop of the year, Le Bistrot de Wasahof, Toyota Auto Import – an SMA company, Pripps AB, McDonald’s, Ansvar.
Thanks also to: The Agency, Alfa Offset, Wolgsjö Screen, VGB Golvsand AB, Gunnar Looft Rexlam, Fredells Trä, Sapa, Ternhoff Textil, Sonet.
Track Listing
Side 1:
Ditt Folk Har Du Förlett (Heaven On Their Minds)
Nu Ska Du Bli Stilla (Everything’s Alright)
Hosianna (Hosanna)
Simon Ivraren (Simon Zealotes)
Pilatus Dröm (Pilate’s Dream)
Vart Ska Min Kärlek Föra (I Don’t Know How To Love Him)
I Getsemane (Gethsemane)
Side 2:
Herodes Sång (King Herod’s Song)
Kan Vi Börja Om, Säg (Could We Start Again Please?)
Judas Död (Judas’ Death)
Åter Inför Pilatus (Trial Before Pilate)
Superstar (Superstar)
Återuppståndelsen (John 19:41)
Historical Notes from a Fan
The wave of Jesus Christ Superstar revivals begun by the 1984 Madrid production continued with its Swedish return, at Stockholm’s Göta Lejon in early October 1985. Bruno Wintzell returned from the original cast as Jesus, and the direction was by Julie Arenal, who had choreographed the original Broadway company of Hair (which she went on to restage in Europe, including the original Swedish cast), Indians, Boccaccio, and the Japanese production of Funny Girl. Cast member Saeed Hooshidar assisted Ms. Arenal. Scenic design was by Annabella Carlander, with costumes by Carina Dangoor, lighting by Torkel Blomquist, and sound by Jerker Antoni.
Not much is known about this run, but it is easy to speculate that this production faced some of the same issues as the Madrid run, including the increasing difficulty of financing theater productions in general (witness the extensive list of sponsors thanked in the album liners above).
As far as the recording (which is out of print and fairly rare) goes, the orchestrations easily date to the Eighties, but the cast more than makes up for the sound. Wintzell sounds much better than he did on Seventies recordings, while Roger Pontare makes up for Judas being just out of his range by getting creative with the melody line to make it work for him, showcasing his voice to great effect on such tracks as “Heaven On Their Minds.”
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