Pioneers–Marian Anderson, Motherless Child

Now, let’s compare the recording of Casta diva with the 1936 recording of “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.”

In this recording, we can hear the strength of the voice compared with the pain produced by life’s trials and tribulations. The tone is much heavier; the style and tempo match the serious nature of the lyrics. Yet, somehow we feel that the composition required a trained voice that is no less powerful than the vocal requirements imposed by Bellini.

By the way, the Nimbus Records Prima Voce series provides the collector with an excellent restoration.