Marian Anderson Concert at the Lincoln Memorial

English · Music, Performing Arts, History

On April 9, 1939, contralto Marian Anderson gave a landmark concert at the Lincoln Memorial after being denied the use of Constitution Hall because of her race. With the memorial’s steps as her stage and a vast crowd gathered before her, Anderson performed outdoors in a setting that made the event both a musical occasion and a powerful public statement.

Her rich, resonant voice carries the concert, moving through a program of classical and spiritual music. The open-air performance gives the recording a sense of scale and immediacy: this is not simply a recital in a concert hall, but a moment in which music, place, and the struggle for equal access meet.

The listening experience is defined by Anderson’s poised artistry and the historic significance of the occasion. The concert offers a chance to hear a celebrated singer at a pivotal public performance, where the intimacy of a solo voice stands in striking contrast to the monumental setting.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.