Marian Anderson & William Primrose - Brahms: 2 Songs for Contralto, Viola & Piano

[@LeslieHarlowviolist]

As a violist, of course I have always loved this recording for the viola playing of my hero Primrose, but this has to be the most beautiful singing of these songs ever. Marian Anderson's exquisite voice and expression set the highest standard ever.

[@syncopate50]

My piano teacher in high school had this recording. It was my first exposure to Anderson, to the viola as a solo instrument, and (after the 1st symphony), to Brahms. My teacher set this up as the template in my mind for a certain sort of excellence. He was not wrong.

[@joshsussman9432]

I simply was not prepared for the exquisite depth and profundity of Marian Anderson's singing. Wow, my goodness.

[@andrearchiecameron]

She sounds like a viola and he sounds like a contralto. Amazing.

[@lastupendaboy]

Stunning….

[@SarumChoirmaster]

I was once extremely fortunate as a high school senior to perform this with an extremely great contralto and pianist at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1976 - Angela Coffer and Vernon Roberts. It was a spiritual encounter for she sounded like Marian Anderson and Vernon reminded me of Brahms himself. I think Dr. McElrath was pleased.

[@jonvank1]

I'm in shock. All these years and I did NOT know this beautiful recording. Perfection all around...and the sweetness of Primrose...good heavens !!!!

[@genlyai5055]

Neither did I . Ravishing.

[@direfranchement]

I think this is probably the best I've ever heard her. I'm sure that recordings of the period in which she was in prime voice were able to capture only a glimmer at best of what it was to experience her in concert. I've never quite been able to appreciate acoustically what I've seen written about the beauty of her voice, but this recording gives me a clue as to how marvelous she may have been at her vocal peak, and just why the voice itself was so celebrated, in addition to her place as an American icon.

[@BiggerBadderViolist]

The vibrato is matched to perfection, right down to the individual oscillations sometimes. Amazing.

[@1812over]

Marian Anderson's voice remains without comparison! Just wonderful!

[@ЛидияАлешечкина]

Какой глубокий, красивый голос!!! Шикарно!!!!!

[@BobMadickman]

😊

[@urherman1]

the glorious music o Brahms performed by three great musicians whose primary mission was to convey the expressive and emotional depth of music--Anderson, her accompanist Rupp and Primrose. A trio of what chamber music is all about.

[@sebastiandangerfield9933]

This is NOT chamber music 🙄🙄

[@Wavewolfaroha]

Just doesn't get any better than this--both artists in their prime...greatest music! Thank you...

[@morrigambist]

When I heard the first few notes, I thought "too slow," but these artists justify their tempos. I had never heard Anderson's voice in its prime before; it's very beautiful. Thanks for this posting!

[@TheViolaviolaviola]

My God!!! How beautiful!!!!!!!!

[@danasumova6581]

Zejména v druhé písni jsou velmi osobitě poskládány oba hlasy - Marian i violy. Už už se zdá, že to nemůže ladit, vždycky to Brahmsovi sklouzne do harmonie, která skladbu ještě povyšuje. Je to nádhera a dokonale melodické. S velkou úctou děkuji za nahrávku a zdravím z Čech, z Rakovnicka.

[@LanzaLover2]

This is an absolutely gorgeous recording! The liquid melodies play with each other. So relaxing. Superb! I never knew of this recording before and I am so blessed to hear it now! I revel in the beauty!

[@robinhendrix66]

Thank you so much, as the others have said. I'm performing this Saturday, 8 mai, with a cellist and my dear husband accompanist. In rehersal, I begged them to slow the tempo, and they did a bit. Now thanks to your posting, they have agreed that it's much more beautiful at tempos close to these. We musicians today have a tendancy to push all the tempos, but art does triumph now and then. Slow it down and hear the harmonies and the play of the many lines of beautiful music. Wish us luck for Saturday. And if Marian Anderson were here, I would thank her myself. I thank you, again.

[@65attila]

This is a magnifient post with Primrose and Anderson at the Zenith of musical expression. Sadly even after all these years Anderson is known to too many as mostly a Spirituals' singer. She was glorious in whatever she sang. Prejudices and stereotypes die slowly. Regards- John

[@JohnDoe-lp2dz]

Primrose....pure silkness. Perfect Rupp, unmatched. Anderson singing with huge sentiment.

[@artinpoetsoulnature]

Great song 🎶🌹 Thanks

[@pilardiaz2558]

This is heven to me!!❤❤

[@rogerknox9147]

Wow! Marion Anderson seems divinely inspired -- the song comes from a deep place. As for William Primrose the viola obbligato is incomparable in both technique and expression. Franz Rupp's piano is in the background sonically but his control and sensitivity are a model!

[@LNcello]

viola obbligato - not really

[@sebastiandangerfield9933]

Oh right - it’s no longer fashionable to be an accompanist, or to play an obbligato. Everyone is equal. Hand out the participation trophies. Morons!

[@dsthorp]

Love this! My viola teacher's teacher.

[@barbaraweselakfranch1387]

I like it, Thys is Contralto! Marian Anderson, very beautiful voice! 🌺

[@unclejohnthezef]

piano, voice and...viola! awesome

[@CeciliaBercovich]

Best performance ever....

[@rheafoster7346]

such resonance, both vocal and viola. Outstanding performance!

[@edithcontreras7095]

La perfección técnica y estilística juntas. Maravillosos los tres. Felicidades!!!

[@JohnDoe-lp2dz]

Never in my life I´ve heard so limpid, warm and silky a string instrument sound. Anderson and Rupp, unmatched. A desert-island record.

[@sebastiandangerfield9933]

Rupp???

[@henrigraber2741]

You "forgot" Anderson...

[@genlyai5055]

RUPP?!?!??!! he's okay. Anderson and Primrose are sublime. FIFY.

[@GABRIELABERGALLO]

Such a beauty!

[@100crowns6]

Transcendental!!

[@evgenylauck4893]

Божественно!

[@haardly1]

Heavenly

[@kenzoviola]

perfection!!!

[@beth_levin_piano]

Thank you!

[@urmorph]

Not for the first time, I wish that electronic science had developed 75 years earlier. I suppose we must be thankful for what we have, including so many fine contemporary artists, but still....

[@sebastiandangerfield9933]

The recorded sound is just fine. But I suppose you mean you would prefer the phony sound of digital.

[@BobMadickman]

I am waiting eagerly for the technology that will restore the 25% we can't hear from recordings from 1880-1960. I'm 41 and waiting. 😊

[@petrof4056]

Surely, the best performance with Ferrier

[@lawrencebrown3677]

I would agree with that.

[@hartmutlindemann9735]

@@lawrencebrown3677 Unfortunately, Ferrier didn't have a violist partner as great asPrimrose. Otherwise I agree

[@genlyai5055]

Ferrier is wonderful; her violist is abominable compared to Primrose, so NO.

[@genlyai5055]

@@hartmutlindemann9735 Unfortunately, he wasn't a pimple on Primrose's posterior.

[@beverlyl.crawford3305]

Beaautifulll lovely grreat artist thank ya bev dancer drummer

[@marie-armelle458]

quelle harmonie

[@franzstxubert7438]

00:00 Op. 91/1 Gestillte Sehnsucht 07:22 Op. 91/2 Geistliches Wiegenlied

[@lavinapoeticempressdeepest7475]

👏👏👏 Love It 💋

[@pierocells]

deep,délicate,delicious,

[@johannesindusleri5745]

♥️♥️😌

[@phineasbluster2872]

While ago I searched youtube for "Walter Primrose" but i don't think i saw this GEM!!!! How perfectly gorgeous, and we should remember that J Brahms had something to do with it. Can anyone verify that he wrote these exactly for piano, viola, voice? Or is it a transcription?

[@derheimlichlauschet]

❤

[@lagitanekymt]

El estilo me parece voluptuoso. ..

[@johnruggeri843]

IMO these works and performances are special things. I say things not as disrespect but because what I am hearing is too grand to be described in a limited way.

[@unclejohnthezef]

can that photo be real?

[@syncopate50]

Yes. It's famous.