The 1939 Lincoln Memorial Concert (first restored release) | The 1961 Copenhagen Concert (first release)

By 1939 Marian Anderson was feted worldwide, but a concert planned for Washington's Constitution Hall was blocked for one reason: she was black. With Eleanor Roosevelt's support the concert took place instead on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was a triumph - now, perhaps, too little recalled.

This release would be merited simply because it is music-making of the highest order, but this is more - it's an important piece of American history.

The Copenhagen Concert 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.

Tracklisting:
Opening announcement
Speech by the US Secretary of the Interior
My Country, Tis of Thee
Donizetti - La Favorita: Fia dunque vero … O mio Fernando …Scritto in cielo
Schubert - Ave Maria
Announcements
Spiritual: Gospel Train
Spiritual: Trampin
Close
Brahms - Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer
Brahms - Von ewiger Liebe
Schubert - Die Forelle
Schubert - Ave Maria
Schubert - Der Erlkönig
Saint-Saëns - Samson et Dalila: Mon coeur s ouvre à ta voix
Trad: Comin Through the Rye
Kilpinen - Von zwei Rosen
Kilpinen - Det var i vårens ljusa tid
Trad: Läksin minä kesäyönä käymään
Sibelius - Belsazars gästabud
Sibelius - Svarta rosor
Spiritual: Done Foun My Los Sheep
Spiritual: Hold On!
Spiritual: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Spiritual: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (reprise)
Spiritual: My Souls Been Anchored in de Lord
Spiritual: Heavn, Heavn
Spiritual: O What a Beautiful City!