Marian Anderson - Let Freedom Ring (1939 - 1961)

A legendary African-American interpreter of both operatic and concert repertoire, Marian Anderson was possessed of one of the finest contralto voices in living memory. Her career was notable not only for her artistic achievements -- which were many -- but also for a dignified tenacity in the face of discrimination. She opened doors for subsequent generations of black American singers.

After concertizing around the world in the 1930s and becoming the toast of Europe, Anderson’s agent, Sol Hurok, brought her back to America in 1935 for a historic homecoming at Town Hall in New York. His hope that her international stardom would shield her from racial discrimination in her homeland was unfortunately not realized. As was the case with all African Americans, concert artists included, Anderson was subjected to many indignities—not the least of which were segregated concert halls and denial of access to hotels and restaurants while touring. Though she initially avoided taking a political stance, this role was thrust upon her in 1939 when the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to rent Constitution Hall for Anderson’s proposed Easter Sunday concert. After being turned down by additional venues in the nation’s capital, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt took up the cause (she had brought Anderson to the White House three years earlier), along with many other politicians and celebrities. To make a long story short, the Easter concert went forward on April 9, 1939, but was moved to the Lincoln Memorial on the Mall. Over 75,000 were in attendance, and the concert was broadcast live over NBC (tracks 1 to 9),

The Copenhagen Concert (tracks 10 to 28) is a further triumph. Held in especially high regard in Scandinavia (Sibelius adapted some of his works for her), Anderson basks in the audience's affection.

Tracklist:

01 - Opening Announcement
02 - Speech by U
03 - America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee) 
04 - La Favorita- 'E fia vero_' - 'Oh mio Fernando!' - 'Scritto in cielo' 
05 - Ave Maria, D
06 - Intermission Announcements
07 - Gospel Train 
08 - Trampin' 
09 - Closing Announcement
10 - 5 Lieder, Op
11 - 4 Songs, Op
12 - Die Forelle, D
13 - Ave Maria, D
14 - Erlkönig, D
15 - Samson et Dalila, Op
16 - Comin' Through the Rye 
17 - Von zwei Rosen, Op
18 - Es war zur holden Lenzeszeit, Op
19 - Läksin minä kesäyönä käymään (
20 - Belshazzar's Feast, Op
21 - 6 Songs, Op
22 - Done Foun' My Los' Sheep 
23 - Hold On! 
24 - He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
25 - He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (Reprise) 
26 - My Soul's Been Anchored in de Lord 
27 - Heav'n, Heav'n 
28 - O What a Beautiful City! 

Marian Anderson - Let Freedom Ring (1939 - 1961)

(ca, 180 kbps, cover art included)