Marian Anderson in Brahms and Mahler

Here are two uncelebrated but nonetheless remarkable performances by contralto Marian Anderson, one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

Marian Anderson

This 1950 LP contains the third of her three recordings of Brahms' Alto Rhapsody, and what may be her only recording of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder.

RCA has never re-released the Brahms, and I believe the Mahler has only appeared in a reissue series devoted to conductor Pierre Monteux.

Fritz Reiner's conducting generates notes, staves and whirligigs

In the superb Alto Rhapsody, Miss Anderson is beautifully supported by a recording orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner, then at the Metropolitan Opera, and the men's voices of the Robert Shaw Chorale. Her earlier (and better known) versions date from 1939 (with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Eugene Ormandy) and 1945 (with the San Francisco Symphony and Monteux).

Monteux also leads his San Francisco band in the Mahler song cycle. Monteux did not conduct Mahler regularly - and this appears to be his only recording of that composer. His rendition is understated, which is perhaps not a fault in this wrenching composition. Miss Anderson's warm voice is well suited to this approach.

Pierre Monteux

The Mahler comes from a February 1950 session in the War Memorial Opera House; the Brahms is from an October 1950 date in the Manhattan Center. The sound from San Francisco is good; from New York even better.

My previous Marian Anderson posts were devoted to spirituals and Christmas carols.

Note (August 2023): these recordings are now available in ambient stereo.