My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord (#2396)

Track Listings

1. God Is Here: setting by John Ferguson

2. Fairest Lord Jesus: arr. Charles Forsberg

3. Der Geist hilft unsrer: Johann Sebastian Bach

4. Bogoroditse Devo: Sergei Rachmaninoff

5. Our Father: Alexander Gretchaninoff

6. Noel: Christmas Eve: Kenneth Jennings

7. The Lord is an Everlasting God: Kenneth Jennings

8. Stabat Mater: Krzysztof Penderecki

9. Before I Go My Way: Peter Hamlin

10. Daemon Irrepit Callidus: Gyorgy Orban

11. Water Night: Eric Whitacre

12. Yom Seh Le-Yisrael: arr. Dudley Cohen

13. Take My Hand Precious Lord: arr. Ed Lojeski

14. My Souls Been Anchored In The Lord: arr. Moses Hogan

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Dr. Anton Armstrong is the Harry and Thora Tosdal Professor of Music and conductor of the St. Olaf Choir. The interests of Dr. Armstrong, who succeeded Kenneth Jennings in 1990, lie in the tradition of Western European choral music, 20th century compositions and folk music arrangements from the U.S. and the wider global community.

Armstrong grew up on Long Island, New York. He was a member of the American Boychoir, an American counterpoint of the Vienna Boys Choir. Armstrong graduated from St. Olaf in 1978 with a Bachelor of Music degree. He continued his studies at the University of Illinois, earning a Master of Music degree in choral music, and at Michigan State University, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.

Armstrong is a frequent guest conductor, lecturer, and clinician throughout North America and in Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and the Caribbean.

Tracks:

Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees - Various Artists
His Name So Sweet - Various Artists
'Roun' About The Mountain - Various Artists
Swing Low , Sweet Chariot - Various Artists
Sit Down, Servant - Various Artists
Were You There - Various Artists
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - Various Artists
Deep River - Various Artists
Honor! Honor! - Various Artists
My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord - Various Artists
On Ma Journey - Various Artists
A City Called Heaven - Various Artists
Ride On, King Jesus - Various Artists
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Various Artists
Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass - Various Artists
Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Various Artists
There Is A Balm In Gilead - Various Artists
Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler - Various Artists
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
My Way Is Cloudy - Various Artists
Nobody Knows The Touble I've Seen - Various Artists
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray - Various Artists

Tracks:

Holy, Holy, Holy - Leontyne Price
Lead, Kindly Light - Leontyne Price
Blessed Assurance - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
What A Friend We Have In Jesus - Leontyne Price
Amazing Grace - Leontyne Price
The Lord's Prayer - Leontyne Price
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior - Leontyne Price
The Church's One Foundation - Leontyne Price
Bless This House - Leontyne Price
I Need Thee Every Hour - Leontyne Price
Schlesische Volkslieder: Fairest Lord Jesus - Leontyne Price
I Wonder As I Wander - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
Porgy And Bess: Summertime - Leontyne Price
America The Beautiful - Leontyne Price
Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing - Leontyne Price
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - Leontyne Price
Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Leontyne Price

Customer Reviews:

The Price Club.......2005-04-28

"I am here," said Leontyne Price when interviewed as she opened the new Metropolitan Opera with Samuel Barber's underrated ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, "and you will know that I am the best and will hear me. The color of my skin or the kink of my hair or the spread of my mouth has nothing to do with what you are listening to." Back in the 1960s Price was one of the greatest divas in all of opera, and it wasn't just her voice but her magnificent stage presence, combined with her social activism. All of the above come into play in this collection of secular songs and ditties, some of them traditional plantation chanties and others, art songs and a scattering of pop music. And some of them, like Gershwin's "Summertime," cross the ever-permeable boundaries between Broadway and classical. These recordings were made at different times in Price's career, and her voice, while always angelic, has different shadings and reaches a different range of timbre in each separate recording date, but there is no question that, as time goes by, she is able to impart a richness of life experience noticeably absent from some of her earlier work.

"Ave Maria" sounds heavenly no matter which way you slice it, and as for "I Wonder As I Wander," it brings tears to your eyes. If you have a heart that's beating you will be moved by this rendition. "Ein feste Burg" is pretty strong, but Price seems more comfortable with the traditional spirituals, though perhaps it is the slightly off-kilter sounds of the Ambrosian Singers (what a name) who back her up on many of these tracks, that detract slightly from the experience. Compare "Lead Kindly Light" for a clear sense of what constitutes authority vs. what is a wee bit overproduced. If you had this compilation, and perhaps one of Leontyne Price's Christmas albums, you could attain nirvana any time you wanted to, just flip a switch and close your eyes, let her lift you up on wings of song.

A living legend.......2005-03-10

Leontyne Price (still alive) and already passing into immortality amongst vocal artists, both classical and popular. Leontyne Price stands at the pinnacle of her classical art, but those who only know her work in La Forza del destino or the Verdi Requiem are in for a heart rending treat with this album where Leontyne Price goes home to her roots in Mississippi and gives an unabashed account of the classic spirituals she sang as a young woman. Like John Mc Cormacks rendering of Irish songs there is a personal longing and devotion expressed here that reveals a side of the artist not known in the bulk of their "classical" repetoire. A sense of going home like Citizen Kane's rosebud, or as Dorothy Gale observes at the end of the Wizard of Oz "everything I could ever have wanted was right in my own backyard "

not your daddy's old timey spiritual.......2004-06-23

Agreed this is a good cd for a beautiful voice, but this is not, repeat not, for someone who wants to hear that old-timey religious fervor that you think of when you've been to a Black Baptist hand-clapping, standing, swaying, and singing service.

Immaculate Vocals of Leontyne Price.......2003-12-31

IMMACULATE, SUPERB vocal range and style! There's no other words that can complement Miss Leontyne Price's vocal arrangements. Miss Price's voice is strong, and shrills very nicely to the instruments played on many songs listed on this double CD which is a joy to treasure; every song listed are songs I was raised to hearing and singing. Miss Price is the reason why many of these songs remain in popularity and presently used. Miss Leontyne Price has been incredible in many of her past performances. This is my fourth CD of Miss Price and I am glad to own this particular CD forever and ever. Many thanks to the executors who found this remarkable album and upgraded it to a CD format! **Angi**

Great Gospel Stuff.......2001-04-12

This is a great CD. The only problem I have with it is that on some of the selections there is a boy's choir screaming in the background, and this takes away (a bit) from her performance. That said, her best selections are those that are either unaccompanied or those where her voice is not buried. Songs that strike me are - His Name So Sweet, He's Got The Whole World, Were You There, I Wonder as I Wander, Lift Every Voice and Sing, and my all time favourite Summertime. Enough said.

Average customer rating:

The Rediscovery?
AMAZING
Rediscovering Leontyne Price
Masterful Recital Performance From Price at Her Peak
Love Leontyne But Stick To The Studio Gems.

Rediscovered (Dig)
Leontyne Price
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection
In Concert
Verdi: Aida/Il trovatore/Puccini: Madama Butterfly/La Rondine/Tosca/Turandot
Leontyne Price Christmas Songs Chants de Noel.Weihnachtslieden Wiener Philharmoniker Herbert Von Karajan
The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns & Sacred Songs

ASIN: B00006HCUX
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Tracks:

Applause
Care selve
Bel piacere
Avanti al tuo cospetto; Piangero la sorte mia
He, Zigeuner, greife
Hochgeturmte Rimaflut
Wisst ihr, wann mein Kindchen
Lieber Gott, du weisst
Brauner Bursche f - hrt zum Tanze
Roslein dreie in der Reihe
Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn
Rote Abendwolken ziehn am Firmament
mamma morta
Tu vois le feu du soir
Main dominee par le coeur
C'est ainsi que tu es, Paganini
Je nommerai ton front
Nocturne, Op. 13 No. 4
The Daisies, Op. 2 No. 1
Sleep Now, Op. 10 No. 2
Winter Song
In the Wand of the Wind
His Name So Sweet
My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord
Lord, I Just Can't Keep from Cryin'
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
Summertime
Ecco: respiro appena; Io son l'umile ancella
Vissi d'arte

Customer Reviews:

The Rediscovery?.......2007-05-17

Few sopranos in their prime have consistently
balanced vocal beauty and power as well as Price did.
I'm sure her smooth legatos were the envy of
her contemporaries, and those since. However,
I do not think this album is the best recording
of her live recitals.

Vocally, Price is in great form. I have no
complaints with the voice. My issue is with the
performance as a total package, in it's entirety.
The ambiance and general "feel" of this recording
is odd. To me, it sounds like Price was coaxed into
entertaining a groups of friends after a high society
dinner party; It's as if someone had suggested after dinner,
"Leontyne, why don't you regale us with a few classical
arias?"

Truthfully, this sounds like a completely impromptu performance.
The pianist is on autopilot, banging through each aria
in a fevered, sometimes overbearing bravura. Price
displays excellent musicianship by adjusting to
the volume and varying tempos without compromising
superb artistry. At times, it appears that Price and the
pianist are battling for artistic control. The
audience is obviously in love with her, as well they
should be. They are not reserved in their thunderous
applause and whistles. I personally prefer to hear Price
backed by full orchestra. The rendition of Spirituals
are well sung and sound more appropriate with the piano accompaniment.
"Vissi d'Arte" is regal and elegant, in grand fashion.
"Chi il bel sogno" from La Rondine is a richly
legato master work.

While Leontyne Price's vocal performance on this album is
top-notched, I would only recommend this "rediscovered" performance
as a collection keepsake. For some reason, I can't part
from the feeling that perhaps this recording was never
meant to be released. It's not bad, but by no means is it
definitive of Leontyne Price's remarkable contributions
as an operatic legend.

AMAZING.......2007-02-13

Leontyne Price. Do I need to say anything more. That astoundingly wonderful voice, tremendous dramatic range --- earthy, angelic, strong, tough, tender, playful, loving --- a performer that never grows stale, always fresh and new.

Rediscovering Leontyne Price.......2005-07-28

This magnificent recording is a collection of rare and beautiful arias sung by the gifted lyric-dramatic soprano Leontyne Price, the very first successful black opera diva, who reigned supreme in the 60's and 70's. While there are many full-length operas starring Price, this compilation album is quite refreshing because it's new and lovingly remastered from the original tapes/LPs. Among the arias are Bel Piacere- a Handel piece full of gorgeous ornamentation, Care Salve from Falla's Atlantida, very beautiful and majestic. Other songs include Summertime from Porgy and Bess and songs by Samuel Barber. Leontyne Price had versatility. While she was famous for her Aida, Leonora in Trovatore, Leonora in Forza Del Destino, as Tosca, and as many of the dramatic Verdi and Puccini roles, she sung roles that were modern and thrilling- Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra was one. She sang Lieder, she sang Gospel, she was a one-woman opera. This recording is a fitting tribute to her artistry. However there are many other fine compilation albums out there that far surpass even this new one - the best is The Prima Donna Collection, Leontyne Price in Concert, An Evening With Leontyne Price, The Best of Leontyne Price and The Ultimate Leontyne Price.

Masterful Recital Performance From Price at Her Peak.......2005-01-21

World-renowned soprano Leontyne Price can be an intimidating presence on any stage but not on this live concert recording. She lends a warm, lovely presence and of course, her unparalleled voice, to this eclectic program, which amazingly at the age of 38, represented her Carnegie Hall recital debut in 1965. It's hard to imagine her sounding any better than this at any point in her career, and just as importantly, the program reflects her heightened awareness of what serves her powerful voice best. It's a wonderful record of an obviously triumphant evening, and in what must be one of the recording industry's most monumental oversights, it languished in the RCA vault for thirty-seven years.

Price starts with three opera arias from Handel, all very clean in delivery and one especially noteworthy, "Piangerò la sorte mia" from "Giulio Cesare in Egritto". She is simultaneously opulent and regal while displaying a strong sense of pathos as Cleopatra contemplates her fate. The ten-minute Brahms "Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103" is stunning for the freshness she provides with her flexible quicksilver tones, all delivered in her very expressive German. The four Poulenc selections are delivered in a such a delicate manner that it can only be described as buttery, and as such, perfect for the Gallic verses. And her big opera moment comes with Giordano's "La mamma morta" from "Andrea Cénier" sung with her requisite passion. Regardless though, Price really soars with the American selections where her voice takes on an added dimension of humanity. She begins this portion with three stellar selections from Samuel Barber, all shimmering showcases for her voice: the haunting "Nocturne, Op. 13 No. 4", the light and airy "The Daisies, Op. 2 No. 1" and the near spiritual "Sleep Now, Op. 10 No. 2". These segue seamlessly into two lush pieces by the relatively unknown Lee Hoiby, who wrote specifically for Price. For me personally, the high points of the entire recording are the four spirituals, which she sings with an unearthly combination of roof-raising conviction and clarion tones. She concludes with classic arias from Puccini and Cilea and of course, her definitive version of George Gershwin's "Summertime". This is as fulfilling a recital as you could possibly hear from this wondrous singer. Essential listening.

Love Leontyne But Stick To The Studio Gems........2004-03-04

I have been an admirer of the great Price since I was a boy of 10 after discovering her tremendous recoding of "Carmen" with the greats Corelli, Freni, and von Karajan. In my humble opinion, the greatest period of her voice was the 50's-60's, where her incredible force and power were nicely balanced with a lyric openness and clarity. This live recording stems from that most golden period, before the more unattractive Price qualities came into play in the early-mid 70's - a major tendency to scoop and slide, a lack of crisp enunciation, and a cloudy timbre. Be that as it may, I was disappointed with this performance on a whole. Simply put, with the exception of the Spirituals, I find Ms. Price's performance uncommitted and almost like she is rushing through from one number to the next. This might be the "fault" of her accompanist, David Garvey. In every instance where a duplicate version exists in a studio recording by Ms. Price, I wholeheartedly prefer those over these live ones. Usually artists are even more committed and intense when performing before the public. I simply do not find that intensity here. My advice - stick to the great studio recordings or, at least, different live recordings, of which I know exist but have not as of yet purchased.

Average customer rating:

In a class of her own
CELEBRATE Marian Anderson's powerful, liberated voice with JOY!
Timeless performances
My favorite singer
Honest Transfer of Great Material from 78s

Prima Voce - Marian Anderson / Shaw

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Marian Anderson
Spirituals
Marian Anderson Rare and Unpublished Recordings, 1936 - 1952
Marian Anderson 1897 - 1993
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

ASIN: B0000037L2
Release Date: 1997-01-07

Tracks:

Cantata No. 81: Jesus schlaft, was soll ich hoffen
Cantata No. 112: Zum reiner wasser
St. Matthew Passion: Erbarme dich, mein gott
Cantata No. 12: Kreuz und krone
Messiah: He Shall Feed His Flock
St. John Passion: Es Ist Vollbracht (English)
Christmas Oratorio: Bereite dich, zion
City Called Heaven
Lord, I Can't Stay Away
Heaven, Heaven
Trampin
Oh What A Beautiful City
Were You There?
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
I Don't Feel No-Ways Tired
Deep River
Go Down Moses
My Soul's Been Anchored In The Lord

Amazon.com

Marian Anderson's rich contralto tinged with sadness touched the hearts of many and made her one of the most-loved American singers. She's probably best known for her spirituals on recordings made in the twilight of her career. In these good transfers, she sings an ample selection of those favorites made in her prime, the late 1930s; they're no less touching and made even more compelling by the freshness of her voice, which is just as fresh in the Handel and Bach arias from the Messiah, St. Matthew Passion, and more. - -Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

In a class of her own.......2007-07-21

Dignified,lovable and instantly recognisable Marian Anderson is much beloved first afro-american singer to achieve world-wide recognition,together with Paul Robeson she represents almost biblical royal couple from whom later generations sprung and followed.True,she certainly had to fight with unjustice,prejudice and obstacles (curiously enough,she was instantly recognised as artist of highest calibre in Europe while they troubled her back home) but all those events are far now,as I am writting this in Summer 2007 and what is the most important is her musical legacy.Contrary to liner notes on this CD where they suggest her singing might be old fashioned by todays standards,I found her singing simply stunning,serious,deeply moving and sincere.In fact,of all "Prima Voce" compilations,this is the one I believe has not aged or became museum relic,this is a pure masterpiece that can be cherished forever and time cannot erase or diminish art like this.

CELEBRATE Marian Anderson's powerful, liberated voice with JOY!.......2006-03-25

On April 9, 1939, the voice of Marian Anderson shook my whole being unforgettably. She began her concert by singing our nation's hymn, "Our Country 'Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty,"
a prayer for all to give voice to.

Two events that took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., had a profound effect on my life. In a minister's family any political discussion was usually 'careful'. But when the Daughters of the American Revolution ruled that Marian Anderson could not give a concert in their Constitution Hall my parents spoke passionately about Anderson's rebuff, and then praised First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the skies for her immediate response which was to invite Marian Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial.

What happened had charged the air with electricity. The hush was palpable. To listen we were limited to the radio, but we would see the newsreel before many days.

All this is an introduction to this CD which shows the power and range of Marian Anderson's talents. Among these offerings are several from cantatas, and some 'spirituals' - - and I mention the familiar because they make me feel as though I am truly in her presence once more: The 23rd Psalm; "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd"; "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child"; "Deep River"; and "My soul's been anchored in the Lord."

The latter could be said to describe both Marian Anderson and Martin Luther King. I have felt the unshakeable presence of each, Marian with her glorious contralto, Martin with his baritone. Noone could miss the reality of justice & faith overcoming hate & ignorance. Reviewer mcHAIKU can still feel the impact, and their influences on my life have been part of me for decades.

Timeless performances.......2005-12-08

Marian Anderson suffered from several circumstances, but always endured them, it appeared, with grace and dignity. She suffered from being black at a time when black persons were not taken seriously as classical artists, and she was simply not allowed to sing in many venues. She was forbidden the stage of the Metropolitan Opera until past her prime (1955). After she became an icon of the civil rights movement, her reputation as a singer became overshadowed. Miss Anderson's treatment by her own countrymen for much of her life was an abomination, but it had nothing to do with music. Modest as she was about all aspects of her life, I don't think she would want her artistry relegated to a footnote in social history!

This is a fine collection of Marian Anderson's singing in oratorio and spirituals. None of her wonderful opera arias or lieder are here, and those call for a separate volume. Miss Anderson stood out from many great singers in her fine understanding of the subtle differences among all of these genres. She used different tone colors and types of vocal production for each of them, as appropriate, a nicety seldom enough observed today. In other words, she was no "belter." We have singers nowadays making millions for yelling at the top of their lungs, and sometimes making multi-millions for trying to out-yell their colleagues in giant arena events closely simulating cattle-call competitions. Perhaps one needs to meditate quietly for an hour or so before attempting to share the more inward and spiritual artistry of Marian Anderson.

From the first selection here (out of over 72 minutes of music included), "Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen" from Bach's Cantata No. 81, one can only marvel at the tonal beauty, depth of feeling, immediacy of communication, and technical accomplishment of the great contralto. In this aria, the long-held word "schläft" is not just thrilling as a piece of vocalism, but does just what Bach meant it to: express the gentle, timeless, cosmic-yet in this case ominous-slumber of the Savior. Seldom, outside of Miss Anderson's singing, have these Bach arias so risen above the "sewing-machine" school of performance. Her style is freer and warmer in the spirituals, which no one but Paul Robeson sang as impressively. There are eleven of them here, though not her most famous, "He's got the whole world in his hands." That too must be acquired elsewhere, as is easily done. There are no cheap shots in this anthology, just great performances of great music with no playing to the grandstands.

My favorite singer.......2005-09-27

This is a great CD. Despite the obvious technical limitations at the time of original recording, the sound quality on this CD is really good. I love Marian Anderson (as a contralto myself,I strive to be like her)and I think this CD does her justice. It's great to hear the range of her vocal talent. The combination of opera and spirituals is wonderful. The songs also vary in vocal range. I was happy to hear a collection of songs that showcased the strength of her voice at its lower and upper ends. Overall, I'd say this was an excellent CD.

Honest Transfer of Great Material from 78s.......2001-03-24

There are eleven spirituals on this CD, but it opens with a stunning traversal of seven sacred selections from the Baroque era, six selections of Bach and one of Handel. Ms. Anderson's sweetness, sincerity and artistry are complemented nicely by a young Robert Shaw conducting the RCA Symphony Orchestra (you can clearly hear the later Shaw of the Bach B Minor Mass in places, and the selection from the St. Matthew Passion is a haunting reminder that Shaw was never able to commit a complete Matthew to disc for posterity, though it was his favorite work and its recording a goal in his life - but I stray). What the Baroque selections lack in the latest in musicological authenticity they more than make up for in heartfelt simplicity and directness. It's Baroque music for the ages, and it may move you to tears.

The eleven spirituals, on the other hand, are accompanied only by an unidentified pianist, one who is certainly quite accomplished and gives Ms. Anderson a superb level of support. The question will need to be asked, I suppose, "Is there perhaps more inspiration present in the singing of the spirituals than in the Baroque selections?" Not at all; the artistry in both is equal. Indeed, modern audiences, used to hyped-up versions of these spirituals, may be slightly disappointed at the plainness of these renditions. I wasn't; I was enchanted.

Mosaic: A Collection of African-American Spirituals With Piano and Guitar
Average customer rating:

Beauty, power, and clarity

Not traditional American Negro spirituals mostly.

Great opera, not spiritual style I thought title suggested.

A Glorious Burgeoning Diva!

Classical music with heart and soul

Mosaic: A Collection of African-American Spirituals With Piano and Guitar

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns & Sacred Songs

Italian Songs for Tenor and Piano

Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski

ASIN: B0006A9FUU
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Tracks:

Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Roun'about de Mountain
Lord, I Just Can't Keep from Cryin'
My Soul's Been Anchored
City Called Heaven
Give Me Jesus
O Glory
Come Down Angels
He Never Said a Mumblin' Word
Watch and Pray
Walk Together Children
Deep River
This Little Light of Mine
Lord, How Come Me Here?
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Ride Up in the Chariot

Customer Reviews:

Beauty, power, and clarity.......2007-05-06

Buy this CD for her rendition of "He Never Said a Mumbalin' Word" alone --- truly lovely, simply brilliant.

Not traditional American Negro spirituals mostly........2005-10-24

If you are looking for the soulfull melodic or jubilation of traditional American Negro spirituals, this is not it. But it is masterful musicianship.

Great opera, not spiritual style I thought title suggested........2005-09-08

This is a very good classical collection. The rating would have been higher if the description had suggested the actual style of the music. I am giving it 3 stars because this is a very good OPERA style collection - not the spiritual style I was hoping for. Given the title and simple instruments, I thought it would be different - more relaxed. I wish a sample of the music had been available. If you want spirituals sung in an OPERA style you will love this. She is an amazing talent.

A Glorious Burgeoning Diva!.......2005-05-07

Though this particular selection of songs may not be one the recital lover would choose, MOSAIC introduces to the recording audience the magnificent voice of Angela M. Brown, a gifted singer whose career has been nurtured by appearances with small opera companies until her highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut in 'Aida' last year. Now this intelligent singer is currently replacing the indomitable Jessye Norman in a Detroit Opera premiere and even in that vulnerable position of comparison she is making a triumphant statement.

MOSAIC is pleasant enough recital of African American Spirituals with sensitive piano and guitar accompaniment. But it is in the few unaccompanied songs that the splendor of this very large voice with a seemingly bottomless register is best displayed. Brown has a glowing top as well as a lush bottom in her register and her attention to the control of the cascade of sound is simply thrilling. Brown knows this repertoire well and is convincing in her delivery of not only the message but the depth of emotion of each song.

Hopefully a recording of songs and arias will follow soon, especially as her opera reputation grows. But for now, MOSAIC is a fine introduction to a voice whose destiny seems assured. Grady Harp, May 05

Classical music with heart and soul.......2005-03-01

Daniel Alexander Payne, sixth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church worked tirelessly to purge emotionalism from African American modes of worship, and derided spirituals as "corn field ditties." Starting with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and into current century, composers such as Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Moses Hogan and Joseph Joubert have sought new, classical interpretations of these timeless, soulful songs.

I must confess, I've never been a big fan of classicised spirituals. Spirituals ARE emotional, expressions of unbearable pain, of longing, of optimism and ultimate belief in salvation. To strip them of that by prettying them up is to deny their very reason for being.

But having said all that: I absolutely loved MOSAIC! Angela Brown does not let her classical training get in the way of putting a song over with heart and soul. She obviously loves these songs, and her rich voice moved me to tears on several occasions. The instrumental accompaniments (Joseph Joubert on piano, Tyron Cooper on guitar) are gorgeously subtle and supportive.

The sound quality of this disc is superb, a fitting tribute to the many African American composers represented here. Highly recommended!

Marian Anderson Rare and Unpublished Recordings, 1936 - 1952

Average customer rating:

Marian Anderson - an outstanding collection

Marian Anderson Rare and Unpublished Recordings, 1936 - 1952

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Prima Voce - Marian Anderson / Shaw
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Paul Robeson Live at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B00000C2C7
Release Date: 1999-11-30

Tracks:

Se Florindo E Fedele
Begrussung
Die Flote Weich Gefuhl
Die Forelle
Der Doppelganger
Wohin?
Der Jungling Und Der Tod
Der Erlkonig
Denn Es Gehet Dem Menschen
Ich Wandte Mich Und Sahe
O Tod, Wie Bitter Bist Du
Wenn Ich Mit Menschen
Befreit
Im Feld Ein Madchen Singt
Var Det En Drom?
When I Am Laid In Earth
O Men From The Fields
When Night Descends (In The Silence Of Night)
Elegie
Let Us Break Bread Together
My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord
Trampin'
Sinner, Please Doan Let Dis Harves' Pass
Honor, Honor
The Cuckoo
Will O' The Wisp

Amazon.com

The rich-toned, musically elegant, always dignified contralto Marian Anderson (1897-1993) is probably best known as the first African-American to sing at New York's Metropolitan Opera House, but by the time she did (in the mid '50s), her once burnished, glorious voice was no longer at its best. Years before, when she was not permitted to sing in the Daughters of the American Revolution's Constitution Hall (or any other hall in the U.S. capital), she gave a concert in the open air, in front of the Lincoln Memorial, which was attended by press, dignitaries, and a crowd of more than 75,000. Much of her late work is well known--arias from Verdi's Un ballo in maschera, spirituals, and the like--but this CD also allows us to hear the voice when it was young--in the 1930s and '40s. One can almost hear Schubert's trout ("Die Forelle") dancing around in the water, and an aria by Scarlatti shows Anderson's coloratura abilities--the big voice could be scaled down to intimate, chamberlike proportions. She brings her intelligence and textual insights to other songs by Schubert and Brahms as well. This is a marvelous collection and a fine tribute to an American original. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Marian Anderson - an outstanding collection.......2003-05-03

This CD with recordings of Marian Anderson between 1936 and 1952, should be heavily promoted. The CD gives listeners a fantastic opportunity to hear the singer in a variety of song styles and languages. I heard her sing live, once, in the 1960's and was stunned then by her vocal skills and musicality. This is the first record or CD which truly reflects her amazing talent.

My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord (#2396)

Average customer rating:

My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord (#2396)

Manufacturer: St Olaf Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

A Choral Tapestry
Hallelujah
Great Hymns of Faith
Great Hymns of Faith Vol. 2
Beautiful Savior

ASIN: B00021YYO0
Release Date: 2001-08-01

Tracks:

God Is Here: setting by John Ferguson
Fairest Lord Jesus: arr. Charles Forsberg
Der Geist hilft unsrer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Bogoroditse Devo: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Our Father: Alexander Gretchaninoff
Noel: Christmas Eve: Kenneth Jennings
The Lord is an Everlasting God: Kenneth Jennings
Stabat Mater: Krzysztof Penderecki
Before I Go My Way: Peter Hamlin
Daemon Irrepit Callidus: Gyorgy Orban
Water Night: Eric Whitacre
Yom Seh Le-Yisrael: arr. Dudley Cohen
Take My Hand Precious Lord: arr. Ed Lojeski
My Souls Been Anchored In The Lord: arr. Moses Hogan

Album Description

Dr. Anton Armstrong is the Harry and Thora Tosdal Professor of Music and conductor of the St. Olaf Choir. The interests of Dr. Armstrong, who succeeded Kenneth Jennings in 1990, lie in the tradition of Western European choral music, 20th century compositions and folk music arrangements from the U.S. and the wider global community.

Tracks:

Deep River
City Called Heaven
Lord, I Can't Stay Away
Were You There?
Tramping
My Soul's Been Anchored
Heav'n Heav'n
Sometimes I Feel
Go Down, Moses
O Wasn't Dat A Wide, Wide Ribber
My Old Kentucky Home
Hard Trials Into Dere's No Hidin' Place
Let Us Break Bread Together
Carry Me Back To Ol' Virginny
Oh! What A Beautiful City
I Know De Lord's Laid
I Don't Feel In No Ways Tir'd
Caro Mio Ben
Paisir D'Amour

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A Wonderful Portrait
A Well Deserved Portrait

Grace Bumbry: A Portrait

Manufacturer: Gala
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Mendelssohn: Elijah

ASIN: B00000J8E9
Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

Es muss ein Wunderbares sein
Gesang Weylas
Verborgenheit
Deep River
My Soul's Been Anchored In The Lord
Sweet Little Jesus Boy
This Little Light O'Mine
Ride On, King Jesus
Zigeuner-Lieder Op. 55: Mein Lied ertont ein Liebespsalm
Zigeuner-Lieder Op.55: Ei, ei wie mein Triangel
Zigeuner-Lieder Op.55: Rings ist der Wald so stumm und still
Zigeuner-Lieder Op.55: Als die alte Mutter mich noch lehrte singen
Zigeuner-Lieder Op.55: Reingestimmt, die Saiten!
Zigeuner-Lieder Op.55: In dem weiten, breiten Luft'gen Leinenkleide
Zigeuner-Lieder Op.55: Darf des Falken Schwinge
Wie Melodien Op. 105
An die Nachtigall Op. 46 - 4
Auf dem Kirchhofe Op. 105 - 4
Alte Liebe Op. 72 - 1
Der Tod, das ist die kuhle Nacht Op. 96 - 1
Dein blaues Auge halt so still Op. 59 - 8
Ah! Perfido Op. 65
Salome: Final Scene: 'Ah, ich habe deinen Mund gekusst, Jochanaan'

Tracks:

Interview
Tosca: 'Vissi d'arte'
Interview
Macbeth: 'Vieni t'affretta'
Interview
Cavalleria Rusticana: 'Voi lo sapete'
Interview
Ernani, Act 1: 'Ernani, involami'
Interview
Aida: 'Chi mai fra gl'inni e i plausi...Fu las sorte dell'armi'

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful Portrait.......2004-08-07

This compilation album of recitals and operatic performances featuring "her royal" Grace is long overdue. Grace Bumbry's fiery interpretations have garnered praise the world over, and this compilation features several of her calling card roles, in addition to roles many thought would put a stop to her career.
This intimate portrait of sorts allows one to hear first hand how roles such as Santuzza, Tosca, Salome, and both Aida and Amneris should be sung. Ms. Bumbry's dramatic interpretations of roles often sung by lyric sopranos give these "dramatic" heroines new life.
Of the 2 CD set, the second CD is the most valuable, for it includes several in depth interviews with "her Grace" and allows the listener to witness first hand a proud (not arrogant) diva whose self assured attitude found its way into her concert and operatic performances and sustained this singer who I feel is the greatest living mezzo/soprano of our day!

A Well Deserved Portrait.......2002-07-15

These CDs show a wonderful artist. Grace has an amazing voice and tackles several roles well. Also great is her interpretation of one of Dvorak's song cycle. The treasures in the set are the interviews which I think allow us to hear how Grace interprets her rolls and it shows a bit of sass on her part. Wonderful set for a wonderful artist.

Average customer rating:

The Lady from Philadelphia

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

When I Am Laid
Se Florinado E Fedele
Es Is Vollbratch
He Shall Feed Is Flock
He Was Deprised
But The Lord Is Mindful
O Rest In The Lord
Gestillte Sehsucht
Geistliches Wiegenlied
Elegie
When Night Descends
Carry Me Back To Old Virginity
My Old Kentucky Home
I Dont Feel No Ways Tired
I Know The Lord's Laid
I Cant Stay Away
My Soul's Been Anchored
Hard Trails
No Hidin' Place

Average customer rating:

A Long Time Coming...
Her Best Album
Price At Her Peak
of course world class
the greatest american soprano of the 20th century

The Essential Leontyne Price

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003FWD
Release Date: 1996-08-13

Tracks:

Aida: Act I: Ritorna vincitor!
Aida: Act I: E l'amor mio?
Aida: Act I: I sacri nomi di padre, d'amante
Aida: Act III: Qui Radames verra!
Aida: Act III: O patria mia
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act II: (Prelude)
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act II: Ecco l'orrido campo
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act II: Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act III: A tal colpa e nulla il pianto
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act III: Morro, ma prima in grazia
Il Trovatore: Act I: Che piu t'arresti?
Il Trovatore: Act I: Tacea la notte placida
Il Trovatore: Act I: Di tale amor che dirsi
Il Trovatore: Act IV: Siam giunti
Il Trovatore: Act IV: D'amor sull'ali rosee
Ernani: Act I: Surta e la notte
Ernani: Act I: Ernani! Ernani, involami
Ernani: Act I: Tutto sprezzo che d'Ernani
La forza del destino: Act II: Son giunta! Grazie, o Dio!
La forza del destino: Act II: Madre, madre, pietosa Vergine
La forza del destino: Act II: La Vergine degli angeli
La forza del destino: Act IV: Pace, pace, mio Dio

Tracks:

Cosi fan tutte: Act I: Come scoglio immoto resta
Madama Butterfly: Act II: Piangi? Perche?; Un bel di vedremo
Madama Butterfly: Act III: Tu? tu? piccolo Iddio!
TOSCA: Act II: Vissi d'arte
Manon Lescaut: Act II: In quelle trine morbide
Manon Lescaut: Act IV: Sola, perduta, abbandonata
Dialogues des Carmelites: Act III: Mes filles, voila que s'acheve
Don Giovanni: Act I: Don Ottavio, son morta!
Don Giovanni: Act I: Or sai chi l'onore
Don Giovanni: Act II: Crudele? Ah, no, mio bene!
Don Giovanni: Act II: Non mi dir
Turandot: Act I: Signore, ascolta!
Turandot: Act III: Tu che di gel sei cinta
Ariadne auf Naxos: Es gibt ein Reich
Antony And Cleopatra: Act III: Give me my robe

Tracks:

Otello: Era piu calmo?
Otello: Mia madre aveva una povera ancella (Willow Song)
Otello: Ave Maria
Fidelio: Act I: Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?
Suor Angelica: Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto!
Carmen: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera)
La Traviata: Act I: E strano, e strano !
La Traviata: Act I: Ah, fors' e lui
La Traviata: Act I: Sempre libera
Le nozze di Figaro: Act III: E Susanna non vien!
Le nozze di Figaro: Act III: Dove sono
Die Agyptische Helena: Act II: Awakening Scene
La rondine: Ore dolci e divine
Salome: Finale

Tracks:

Eugene Onegin: Act II: Puskai pogibnu ya
Eugene Onegin: Act II: Ya k vam pishu
Eugene Onegin: Act II: Net, nikomu na svete
Eugene Onegin: Act II: No tak i byt'!
La rondine: Act I: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
VANESSA: Act I: He Has Come, He Has Come!
VANESSA: Act I: Do Not Utter A Word
Carmen: Act I: Pres des remparts de Seville (Seguidilla)
Manon: Act II: Allons! il le faut!
Manon: Act II: Adieu, notre petite table
Macbeth: Act IV: Sleepwalking Scene: Vegliammo invan due notti
Macbeth: Act IV: Sleepwalking Scene: Una macchia e qui tuttora
La Boheme: Act IIII: Addio. Donde lieta usci (Mimi's Addio)
Die Frau ohne Schatten: Act II: Empress's Awakening Scene
Dido and Aeneas: Act III: Thy Hand, Belinda!
Dido and Aeneas: Act III: When I Am Laid In Earth
Don Carlo: Act V: Tu che le vanita conoscesti del mondo

Tracks:

Otello: Act I: Gia nella notte
Otello: Act I: Quando narravi
Otello: Act I: Venga la morte!
Cosi fan tutte: Act I: Ah, guarda, sorella
Madama Butterfly: Act I: Bimba, bimba, non piangere
Madama Butterfly: Act I: Bimba dagli occhi
Madama Butterfly: Act I: Vogliatemi bene
Requiem: Recordare
Porgy And Bess: Act II: Bess, You Is My Woman
Norma: Act III: Me chiami, o Norma
Norma: Act III: Mira, o Norma
Ernani: Act II: Tu, perfida!
Ernani: Act II: Ah, morir, potessi adesso
Cosi fan tutte: Act II: Sorella, cosa dici?
Cosi fan tutte: Act II: Prendero quel brunettino
Aida: Act IV: La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse
Aida: Act IV: Presago il core della tua condanna
Aida: Act IV: Vedi? Di morte l'angelo
Aida: Act IV: O terra, addio

Tracks:

Un Ballo in Maschera: Act II: Teco io sto!
Aida: Act III: Ciel! mio padre!
Aida: Act III: Rivedrai le forest imbalsamate
Aida: Act III: In armi ora si desta il popol nostro
Aida: Act III: Padre! a costoro schiava non sono
Requiem: Angus Dei
Manon Lescaut: Act I: Oh, saro la piu bella!; Tu, tu, amore?
Cosi fan tutte: Act I: Soave sia il vento
Porgy And Bess: Act II: I Loves You, Porgy
Aida: Act II: Silenzio! Aida verso noi s'avanza
Aida: Act II: Fu la sorte dell'armi
Aida: Act II: Pieta ti prenda del mio dolor
Aida: Act II: Alla prompa che s'appresta
Il Trovatore: Act IV: Udiste?
Il Trovatore: Act IV: Mira, di acerbe lagrime
Il Trovatore: Act IV: Vivra! Contende il giubilo
Madama Butterfly: Act II: Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio (Flower Duet)
Carmen: Act IV: C'est toi! - C'est moi!
Carmen: Act IV: Ou vas-tu? - Laisse-moi!

Tracks:

Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Villanelle
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Le spectre de la rose
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Sur les lagunes
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Absence
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Au cimetiere (Clair de lune)
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: L'ile inconnue
Four Last Songs: Fruhling
Four Last Songs: September
Four Last Songs: Beim Schlafengehen
Four Last Songs: Im Abendrot
Clair de lune, Op.46, No.2: Clair de lune
Notre amour, Op.23, No.2: Notre amour
Au cimetiere, Op.51, No.2: Au cimetiere
Au bord de l'eau, Op.8, No.1: Au bord de l'eau
No.1, Cinq melodies de Venise, Op.58: Mandoline
Main dominee par le coeur
Miroirs brulants No.2: Je nommerai ton front
Miroirs brulants No.1: Tu vois le feu du soir
Ce doux petit visage

Tracks:

Knoxville: Summer Of 1915, Op.24: Knoxville: Summer Of 1915
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Seit ich ihn gesehen
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Er, der Herrlichste von allen
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Ich kann's nicht fassen
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Du Ring an meinem Finger
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Helft mir, ihr Schwestern
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Susser Freund, du blickest
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan
Widmung (No.1, Myrthen, Op.25): Widmung
Mignon (No.28, Liederalbum fur die Jugend, Op.79): Mignon
Volksliedchen, Op.51, No.2: Volksliedchen
Schone Wiege meiner Leiden (No.5, Liederkreis, Op.24): Schone Wiege meiner Leiden
Er ist's (No.23, Liederalbum fur die Jugend, Op.79): Er ist's
Heiss mich nicht reden (No.5, Lieder und Gesand aus Wilhelm Meister)
Lust der Sturmnacht, Op.35, No.1: Lust der Sturmnacht
Allerseelen, Op.10, No.8: Allerseelen
Schlagende Herzen
Freundliche Vision, Op.48, No.1: Freundliche Vision
Wie sollten wir geheim, Op.19, No.4: Wie sollten wir geheim
Der Gartner (Morike-Lieder No.17)
Lebe wohl (Morike-Lieder No.36)
Morgentau (From An Old Songbook)
Geh, Geliebter, geh jetzt (Spanisches Liederbuch No.34)

Tracks:

Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees - Various Artists
His Name So Sweet - Various Artists
'Roun' About De Mountain - Various Artists
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Various Artists
Sit Down, Servant - Various Artists
Were You There - Various Artists
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - Various Artists
Deep River - Various Artists
Honor! Honor! - Various Artists
My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord - Various Artists
On Ma Journey - Various Artists
A City Called Heaven - Various Artists
Ride On, King Jesus - Various Artists
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Various Artists
Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass - Various Artists
Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Various Artists
There Is A Balm In Gilead - Various Artists
Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler - Various Artists
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
My Way Is Cloudy - Various Artists
Nobody Knows The Touble I've Seen - Various Artists
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray - Various Artists

Tracks:

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lead, Kindly Light
Blessed Assurance
Ave Maria
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Amazing Grace
The Lord's Prayer
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour
The Church's One Foundation
Bless This House
I Need Thee Every Hour
Fairest Lord Jesus
I Wonder As I Wander
Ave Maria
Porgy And Bess: Summertime
America The Beautiful
Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Battle Hymn Of The Republic

Tracks:

Chants tziganes, Op. 103: He Zigeuner
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Hochgeturmte Rimaflut
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Wisst ihr, wann mein Kindchen
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Lieber Gott, du weisst
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Brauner Bursche
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Roselein dreie in der Reihe
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Rote Abendwolken
Adriana Lecouvreur: Act I: Io son l'umile ancella
This Little Light O'Mine
Interview With Leontyne Price By John Pfeiffer

Amazon.com

This 11-CD set, one might say jokingly, contains all the music ever written for the soprano voice and a bit for mezzo as well. And indeed, it's a staggering collection: In addition to her great Verdi heroines (the two Leonoras, Aida, Amelia, and Elvira in Ernani), Price is heard in her Puccini roles--Manon Lescaut, Butterfly, Tosca--and at least two dozen other roles, most of which she never sang on stage. Here are her heroic, secure Leonore in Fidelio, Strauss's high-flying Egyptian Helen, Purcell's Dido, Barber's Cleopatra, Bellini's Norma, Ariadne, Verdi's Violetta and Desdemona, Bizet's Carmen, Mozart's Countess, and Fiordiligi. Some are, naturally, more successful than others; almost none are embarrassing (Carmen comes close). In addition, she sings songs by Schubert, Schumann, and Strauss--none of them as well as say, Janet Baker or Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, and Barber's Knoxville, etc.--quite beautifully. Berlioz's Les Nuits d'été is not very good, but a group of spirituals is. In all, however, this is an amazing display by one of the century's greatest sopranos. There may be no new depths plumbed here, but the singing is a knockout. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A Long Time Coming..........2006-03-30

This compilation of Ms. Price's career is almost as complete as anything I've ever come across!!
An American Icon....I will forever be a loyal fan and admirer!!

Her Best Album.......2006-01-01

Along with the equally extensive "Prima Donna Collection" this is Leontyne Price's best album. Anyone who wants to become familiarized with her vocal technique and her art on record should own this album. It features her best work ever recorded. A lot of these arias and their respective soprano roles were not roles she sang on stage. Leontyne Price was not only a consummate artist, but a cautious one. The reason these arias, Lieder, Gospel and spirituals sound so beautiful and technically brilliant is because Leontyne was smart enough to sing them infrequently and in concert form. She did not take on new roles other than her repetitive Aidas, Leonoras, Butterfly, Toscas and Madame Lidoins, etc, because she was afraid of ruining her glorious voice too soon as many of her contemporary sopranos. Like soprano Zinka Milanov, Leontyne Price preserved the freshness and vitality of her voice through "operatic abstinence". Thus, the Norma, Salome, Manon, Lady Macbeth and even Traviata we hear on this album are well-rendered because she did NOT sing them on stage. She would have worn out her beautiful voice if she sung so many roles.

This collection is overwhelming. Leontyne Price proves herself to be a masterful artist of diverse repertoire. Pity she didn't really sing these on stage because she would have put Maria Callas and all the reigning divas before and after her to shame. Listen to her remarkable, unsurpassed Mozart repertoire. This she did sing in opera houses, probably because Mozart does not require a true lyrico-spinto heavyness and smaller opera houses can accomodate Mozartian voices that do not often rise above the staff/orchestra. She sang exquisite Fiordiligis at the Met. The arias from Cosi Fan Tutte here - Soave sia il vento, O Guarda Sorelle and the fiendishly difficult vocal showcase "Come Scoglio" with its vertiginious scales are all fine samples of Miss Price's artistry. She sang Susanna and Donna Anna with beauty and bravura. The Salome excerpt is quite thrilling. She would have made a terrific Salome but the role is quite difficult and it would have surely killed her voice. Leontyne Price was the number one Verdi soprano. Every opera cognoscente will tell you that. When you hear the excerpts from Verdi operas here - Lady Macbeth's Sleepwalking Scene, Aida's arias, Leonora's arias from Trovatore and Leonora's arias from Forza Del Destino, particularly La Virgine Del Angeli and the ravishing Pace Pace Mio Dio- are the best renditions of Verdi soprano singing. Anyone who wants to study how to sing in the letter-to-letter Verdi lyrico spinto style should hear these arias. A voice like Leontyne cannot be easily imitated. Maria Callas's own voice can be imitated as Romanian diva Angela Gheorghiu has proven. Leontyne was in a class of her own, a voice that is both dramatic and beautiful to hear. However, most people find fault in her lack of dramatic interpretation. I say they're not hearing hard enough. Yes, there is excessive beauty in her singing but she understood that the opera heroines should sound beautiful because they are beautiful and though I never saw her on stage, from the recordings I hear she sounds dramatic and character-driven enough for me to be satisfied. For a devoted fan of Leontyne Price, this album is the Holy Grail. She sings the most beautiful Norma, Madame Butterfly, Tosca, Aida, Violetta, Madame Lidoin, Suor Angelica, Susanna, Dona Ana, Gilda, Fiordiligi, Desdemona and countless other heroines. The last cd is a collection of Gospel, spirituals and patriotic songs. These "American", non-opera selections find her in beautiful voice and she is actually paying tribute to her roots. She was not only African-American, but a Southerner from Mississippi. Her voice must have been heavenly to hear in Church! This is the album that made me love Leontyne.

Price At Her Peak.......2005-05-02

Originally a Gospel singer, Leontyne Price rose to the heights of operatic superstardom in the 60's and 70's. She enjoyed the same success Maria Callas did in the 50's. Although Callas will forever be most people's idea of the greatest soprano of the 20th century, Leontyne Price was not a force to be reckoned with. In my opinion, and this is just me, she outshone Callas and was the greater singer as far as techinicality and musicianship. Leontyne Price's best work is recorded in this album. It is her best album, together with the Prima Donna Collection. The price is expensive but it's worth every penny. Prepare to be riveted and blown away by the dynamic strength and passion of her voice as it blasts through yours stereo. While many often point out that Leontyne Price was not much of an actress, from a purely operatic/vocal level, her voice was faultless and virtuosic, powerful, passionate, beautiful, lyrical, soulful. Never have I heard a soprano so richly endowed with strong chest register- she could sing the low octaves that are found in the roles of mezzo-soprano voices or contralto voices. But she was a dramatic soprano and that's dramatic with a capital D- all the high C's were there, perfectly in place, and she was a thrilling singer when reaching for the stratosphere with her voice.

This album contains arias from operas that I didn't even know she performed- La Traviata (yes, Leontyne Price as Violetta is a moving and powerful interpretation, executed with sublime beauty. She finds herself the equal to Callas in the role- for Callas had a big voice for a role that calls for the "dying" effect. Thus, Price, like Callas, could sing roles that call for beauty and not just dramatic vigor. It's unfortunate that unlike the stars that were rising in her time- Joan Sutherland, Beverly Sills and Montserrat Caballe- Price never mastered the bel canto repertoire - Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini (although she sang a sensational Norma, excerpts are found in this recording). But her strongest suit was Verdi. She had the voice Verdi was looking for in a soprano- rich, dramatic, beautiful, able to fill up the lines with smoky and velvety hues and a gleaming high top. Check out her Amelia in Un Ballo In Maschera, her Leonora in Trovatore, her Leonora in La Forza Del Destino. Of course, her greatest role, her signature role, and one which she connected with on a personal/ancestral level was that of Aida. The first selections in this recording are from that masterpiece. As Aida, she was at her best. It was easy for her somehow, when most other sopranos tackle the role with difficulty. She conveys grace, nobility, passion and spirituality in the role of the tragic Ethiopian princess.

Further roles she excelled in that are on this recording is Desdemona in Otello, which she sung opposite Placido Domingo. Their masterful voices blend together harmonically and gloriously in the Act 1 Love Duet. She's quite the ground-breaking artist. Most Violettas in Traviata or Desdemona in Otello are Caucasian lyric soprano (Desdemona was white, Otello was black, that was Shakespeare's intention) but in opera, race does not matter and Leontyne Price's voice made her a star in a time when it was incredibly difficult for a black woman to sing opera. From the start of the century, opera was always associated with white Europeans and later on Americans. But Leontyne Price followed the inspirational example of the gutsy contralto Marian Anderson, who suffered a lot of rejection in opera due to skin color in pre-Civil Rights Movement 30's, 40's and 50's. Finally in the late 50's, Anderson, after a lifetime of singing only in private concerts and recitals, debuted at the Met as Ulrica in Un Ballo. Leontyne Price immediately picked up where she left- singing all the soprano diva roles typically associated with white singers - especially Tosca. Her Tosca is second to her Aida. As Tosca, she encompasses the diva who dies for love in the most thrilling way.

Other than Tosca, Puccini heroines were just as magnificent vehicles for her voice. She sang Madame Butterfly to great acclaim. I dont know how she did it but she suddenly ceased to be herself and became the frail, naive, lovesick Japanese Geisha. Softness and fragility is also mixed with the maturity of a woman in love, with passion and dramatic vocal color. She sang La Rondine with equal success, though this role is more along the lines of Violetta/Traviata. She sang Suor Angelica, she sang in modern works such as Barber's Antony and Cleopatra- in that infamous Zefferelli production- she sang Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, she sang in Dialoge of the Carmelites. All these are on here, along with her Baroque specialties- Dido in Dido and Aeneas. Her Mozart voice is also the best I've heard, really, even with a more dramatic and beautiful charm than other singers I've heard. She sang the acrobatic role of Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, both Dona Ana and Donva Elvira in Don Giovanni. I prefer her as Dona Ana, she is all fire, despair, intensity and repressed desire, but she sings a hysterical and lovesick Elvira with a passion as well. She even sang the Countess in Le Nozze Di Figaro. But the sky was the limit to Price. She even sang, in a Jessie Norman way, the Wagner role of Isolde. Her "Liebestod" is the greatest I've heard since Birgit Nilsson, with a passion that stemmed from her religious Gospel heart.
This is a great album and I recommend it to any fan of Price and any fan of opera in general. If you have never heard Price and want to start somewhere, start with this one. This one or the Prima Donna Collection.

of course world class.......2000-08-14

Price is amazing. I will have to also mention that Joan Sutherland in the 1960 is even more incredible, if that's possible. Check Dame Joan out, you will not be sorry. But Price is a D flawless diamond set by Cartier, in my opinion.

the greatest american soprano of the 20th century.......1999-12-12

This collection of arias, art songs, and spirituals is truly amazing for the sheer breadth and depth of this soprano's artistry. It is hard to imagine any Verdi soprano after Ms. Price who could offer us the smoky richness of her vocal color, and there are so many wonderful selections, many of them being roles she did not perform on stage. Among my personal favorites are her scene from Dialogues of the Carmelites, the Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin, and the drama of her Lady Macbeth. For those of us who heard Ms. Price over the years in opera and concert, this collection brings back wonderful memories...It is truly a must-have for any serious opera lover.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Full Service No Waiting

I will lift up mine eyes

Live on Beale Street [Live]

Cue Sheets, Vol. 2

No One Does It Better [Import]

Music for Your Mother

It's Easy to Remember

Liebesträume-The Most Beautiful Melodies For Harp

Knotwork

Living Legend

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts

Hecho Con Fernando

La Mas Grande Historia Jamas Cantada

Feeling Keeps on Coming

April in Portugal/Cocktail Time

1. God Is Here: setting by John Ferguson
2. Fairest Lord Jesus: arr. Charles Forsberg
3. Der Geist hilft unsrer: Johann Sebastian Bach
4. Bogoroditse Devo: Sergei Rachmaninoff
5. Our Father: Alexander Gretchaninoff
6. Noel: Christmas Eve: Kenneth Jennings
7. The Lord is an Everlasting God: Kenneth Jennings
8. Stabat Mater: Krzysztof Penderecki
9. Before I Go My Way: Peter Hamlin
10. Daemon Irrepit Callidus: Gyorgy Orban
11. Water Night: Eric Whitacre
12. Yom Seh Le-Yisrael: arr. Dudley Cohen
13. Take My Hand Precious Lord: arr. Ed Lojeski
14. My Souls Been Anchored In The Lord: arr. Moses Hogan