1940s Finland Singers: Harmony Sisters / Geschwister Valtonen – Phantom Dancer

The sisters’ 1942 business letterhead read, “3 real sisters singing in 10 languages: American Hits – French Chansons – Finnish Folksongs”

The letterhead was designed for a career in the United States and was still used in 1992 by the bandleader, soprano Raija Valtonen

They began singing as children in a Salvation Army Choir. They were first heard on radio (Finnish Broadcasting Company, Yleisradio) in 1934.

At first, the swing jazz trio sung only in English, aiming for U.S career.

Then, in 1937, in Vyborg, they hired a new conductor and arranger, George de Codzinsky, from St Petersburg. He encouraged them to adapt a wider repertoire from Vienese waltzes to folk songs, ballads and popular hits which skyrocketed their popularity.

Their first hits included Sataman Valot (Harbour Lights) (1937) which you’ll hear on this week’s Phantom Dancer, Purppurapurjeet (Red Sails in the Sunset) (1939) and the tango Pieni Sydän (1939).

In 1938 they were offered their first concert abroard in the China-Varieté in Stockholm.

SISTERS

As the Harmony Sisters they entertained Finnish troops in the Winter War and The Continuation War.

Hits at that time included Kodin Kynttilät (When it’s Lamp Lighting Time in the Valley) (1942) and Sulle salaisuuden kertoa mä voisin (1942)

The Finnish Broadcating Company (Yleisradio) sent the Harmony Sisters on three tours of Germany in 1942-43.

They sung on radio (Großdeutscher Rundfunk) and in military hospitals as the Geschwister Valtonen in Vienna, Bucharest, Warsaw and Riga. They performed songs by Jewish composers, which at the time was officially forbidden.

They made the record Ich hab’ dich und Du hast mich (1942) in Berlin with the Benny de Weille Orchestra and Hein Mück (1943) with the Willy Mattes Orchestra. After the war
he directed the Harmony Sisters for Danish Radio under the name, Charlie
Wildman.

HARMONY SISTERS

From 1943 they performed in Sweden at Stockhom’s China-varieté, and in Liseberg and Gothenburg.

They also recorded Mister Five By Five and I’m Coming Virginia (sung in English, and which you’ll hear on this week’s show) (1943) with the Thore Ehrling Orchestra.

Finnish recording collapsed after the war and there was a law forbidding dancing until
1948. So the Harmony Sisters moved permanently to Sweden, where they played dance halls, amusement parks and on the radio.

For Cupol Records in Stockholm they recorded Farväll, Quire, Vire, Vin (1946)
Ryskt folkvisepotpourri 1-2 (Potpourri of Russian folk songs 1-2 sung in Russian) (1947), Tre finska folkvisor (Three Finnish Folksongs) and Mustalainen (in Hungarian).

They recorded Mikael Nyberg’s religious song, O, huru ljuvliga (1947).

With the Sven Arefeldt Orchestra, they recorded Gyllene ringar (Golden Earrings) and a Blå hav (La Mer) (1948), which you’ll hear on this week’s Phantom Dancer.

An offer to play in U.S eventaully came through, but when it did the Valtonen Sisters had young children and decided to stay in Europe.