Reviewed by Tony Cummings

African American singer Marian Anderson possessed what many consider one of the most beautiful contralto voices of the century (Toscanini described it as “the voice that comes once in a hundred years”). Trained by Dino Boghetti her talent was recognised despite the racism of the age and by 1929 she was singing at Carnegie Hall and in 1930, London. By 1935 she had recorded “Ave Maria” which apparently sold 750,000 copies! These recordings, made between 1938 and 1941, are well known pieces by Purcell, Handel, Brahms and Bach (her version of the latter’s “Es Is Vollbracht” is truly beautiful) interspersed with Negro spirituals and gospel songs like “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired” and “My Soul’s Been Anchored”. Another gigantic talent this 1995 compilation deserves attention.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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