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J. Alfred Tanner
Johan Alfred Tanner, better known as J. Alfred Tanner, (March 16, 1884 – May 27, 1927) was a Finnish singer and songwriter. He is considered as one of Finland's most important songwriters ever, he wrote the lyrics to over 100 songs and recorded about 70 of them. Tanner was born in Artjärvi but grew up Helsinki. Initially he worked as a builder, but had to change his occupation when a building designed by architect Gustaf Estlander collapsed in Kaivopuisto in 1907, even though Tanner was not responsible for the disaster. Instead, Tanner became an entertainer and started to perform at the cinematograph Helikon at Kluuvinkatu in Helsinki. There he became good friend with Rafael Ramstedt and Theodor Weissman, with whom he also performed at the capital's restaurants and cafes. Between 1911 and 1926, Tanner recorded 70 songs in Finland, Sweden and Germany. The 1924 recording session was made in Camden, New Jersey. Tanner made a visit in the US in 1922, but the socialistic Finnish American settlers boycotted his performances, because for them Tanner was a symbol for the white Finland. In the 1920s, Tanner was diagnosed with tuberculosis and died at his summer place Nujula in Rautalampi. Some of Tanner's most popular songs are Kulkurin valssi, Orpopojan valssi, Laulu on iloni ja työni and Kalle Aaltonen. His co-worker and personal friend Rafael Ramstedt translated a few of his songs to Swedish and recorded them. Many of Tanner's songs are published in the book Kuolemattomat kupletit and in several song booklets. |
Birth and Death Data: Born March 16, 1884 (Artjärvi), Died May 27, 1927 (Rautalampi)
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1920 - 1929
Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal, lyricist, composer
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Victor | B-24712 | 10-in. | 12/1/1920 | Kulkurin valssi | Juho Koskelo | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | composer | |
Victor | B-27859 | 10-in. | 4/30/1923 | Orpopojan valssi | Juho Koskelo | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | lyricist | |
Victor | B-27860 | 10-in. | 4/30/1923 | Kalle Aaltonen | Juho Koskelo | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | lyricist | |
Victor | B-27861 | 10-in. | 4/30/1923 | Liisa ja lasse | Juho Koskelo | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | lyricist | |
Victor | B-30255 | 10-in. | 6/9/1924 | Tuhatjärvien lumien maa | J. Alfred Tanner | Male vocal solo, with violin and piano | vocalist, baritone vocal | |
Victor | B-30257 | 10-in. | 6/9/1924 | Kymmenen pientä neekeripoikaa | J. Alfred Tanner | Male vocal solo, with violin and piano | vocalist, baritone vocal | |
Victor | B-30258 | 10-in. | 6/9/1924 | Oi sä hellä Helsinkimme | J. Alfred Tanner | Male vocal solo, with violin and piano | composer, vocalist, baritone vocal | |
Victor | B-30259 | 10-in. | 6/9/1924 | Nujalan talkoopolkka | J. Alfred Tanner | Male vocal solo, with violin and piano | composer, vocalist, baritone vocal | |
Victor | B-30260 | 10-in. | 6/9/1924 | Viimeinen lautta | J. Alfred Tanner | Male vocal solo, with violin and piano | vocalist, baritone vocal | |
Victor | B-30261 | 10-in. | 6/9/1924 | Jannen hanuripolkka | J. Alfred Tanner | Male vocal solo, with violin and piano | vocalist, baritone vocal | |
Victor | BVE-57440 | 10-in. | 11/21/1929 | Laulu on iloni ja työni | Laine-Toppila Orkesteri | Accordion and xylophone duet | composer | |
Columbia | 87485 | 10-in. | approximately June 1921 | Kulkurin valssi | Juho Koskelo | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | composer | |
Gramophone | BW129 | 10-in. | 7/15/1926 | Nujulan kaupungin historia | J. Alfred Tanner | Male vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, baritone vocal |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tanner, J. Alfred," accessed September 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/209998.
Tanner, J. Alfred. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved September 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/209998.
"Tanner, J. Alfred." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 September 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: J. Alfred Tanner
Discogs: J. Alfred Tanner
Allmusic: J. Alfred Tanner
IMDb: J. Alfred Tanner
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Tanner, J. Alfr. (Johann Alfred), 1884-1927 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2011120288
Wikidata: J. Alfred Tanner - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q11865406
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/179334963
MusicBrainz: J. Alfred Tanner - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/5ae44a8e-dcba-4cf1-856e-078a3deb857b
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