Release Date: 31 October 2004
Label: Naxos - Nostalgia / Naxos Nostalgic
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 636943277928
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: ANDERSON, Marian
Description
MARIAN ANDERSON Vol.2\Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit Original 1930-1947 RecordingsFor the greater part of her long life MarianAnderson was an all-American Legend. Internationallyacclaimed as a recitalist (opera wasnever to be her niche) she was the first femaleblack American artist to win full recognition inher native country. She furthered the traditionset by other American Negro concert artists(including the tenor John Payne and sopranoEdna Thomas, and the baritone-songwriterHenry Thacker Burleigh (1866-1949) and histenor protege Roland Hayes, 1887-1977) andher name, quite apart from any obvioussymbolism of black emancipation,was fordecades a synonym for the finest performancesnot only of spirituals but also of German liederand European and Scandinavian art song.Whatever she sang with that 'biblical voice',that 'incomparable stream of resonance' whichLauri-Volpi aptly defined an 'unexpected fusionof contralto, mezzo and soprano', her dynamicpresence and communicating power madeAnderson in many senses a pioneering spirit.The daughter of an iceman and coalmerchant and a laundress, Marian was born inSouthern Philadelphia on 19 February 1897, inhumble but God-fearing circumstances, whichgave no indication of the glorious career thatwas to follow. Musically gifted, as a child sheplayed both violin and piano and from the ageof six sang in the South Philadelphia UnionBaptist Church Choir. Her father died whenshe was twelve and from that point her mothertook the reins, encouraging Marian musically.In her teens, still billed 'The 10-year-oldcontralto', she appeared regularly in spiritualconcerts and at one of these events she was'discovered' by no less a figure than Hayeshimself, who promptly recommended herprecocious talent to concert promoters.By 1923, when she entered and won aPhiladelphia singing competition,Anderson wasalready a seasoned performer but aspired tofurther study at the Philadelphia Academy.When denied admission to that establishmenton racial grounds, she moved instead to NewYork for private tuition first with GiuseppeBoghetti and subsequently with Frank La Forge(1879-1953), the Illinois-born pianist, songwriterand vocal coach through whose introduction, in1924, she made her first recordings, for Victor.These included 'Deep River' and 'My Way'sCloudy', two of the many now standardspiritual arrangements by the Pennsylvania-bornBurleigh.In mid-1925,Anderson outstripped 300other applicants in a competition, whichcarried the prize of a New York Philharmonicconcert at the Lewisohn Stadium on 27 August.Although this success won her nationalrecognition, she had already set her sights ongreater, transatlantic, opportunities for furthertraining and, under the auspices of the NationalAssociation, she travelled to England. There, shewas encouraged by, among others, theconductor Sir Henry J.Wood (she made her firstWigmore Hall appearance with him in 1928)and soon found herself launched on a Europeanconcert career.Whilst the novelty of a black womanpe
Tracklisting
Various
Wisdom:Grenfell:Murray
Whiteman
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
