The 1939 Lincoln Memorial Concert (First restored release)

The 1961 Copenhagen Concert (First Release)

By 1939 Marian Anderson was feted worldwide, but a concert planned for Washington's Constitution Hall was blocked for one reason: she was black. With Eleanor Roosevelt's support the concert took place instead on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was a triumph - now, perhaps, too little recalled.

This release would be merited simply because it is music-making of the highest order, but this is more - it's an important piece of American history.

The Copenhagen Concert is a further triumph. Held in especially high regard in Scandinavia (Sibelius adapted some of his works for her), Anderson basks in the audience's affection.