My Lord What A Morning

by Marian Anderson

My Lord, What a Morning is a gentle and engrossing memoir, abounding with the tender and inspiring stories of Marian Anderson's life in her own modest words. From her humble but proud beginnings in south Philadelphia to international vocal renown, the legendary contralto writes of triumph and adversity, of being grounded in faith and surrounded by family, and of the music that shaped her career.

Anderson published My Lord, What a Morning in 1956 on the heels of her groundbreaking role as the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. In it are bittersweet reminiscences of a working-class childhood, from her first job scrubbing the neighbors' steps to the sorrow and upheaval of her father's untimely death. Here are the stories of a young girl with prodigious talent, and her warm remembrances of the teachers, managers, friends, accompanists, and fans who worked to foster it. Here is a veritable travelogue of her concerts across the globe and rare glimpses at the personal life of a woman more concerned with family than celebrity.

An entire chapter devoted to the Easter concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 reveals Anderson's immense respect for Eleanor Roosevelt, who resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution when they refused to let Anderson perform at Constitution Hall. Supplanting sorrow and regret for anger and violence, Anderson demurely imparts her views on discrimination and on becoming an icon in the struggle for civil rights.

With eleven photographs and a touching new foreword by Anderson's nephew, famed conductor and poet James DePreist, this new paperback edition of My Lord, What a Morning revives the classic portrait of a musical legend who was resilient in the bullying face of bigotry and gracious in the unfaltering glow of fame.

Genres: Biography, Music, History, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Classics

334 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1956

About the author

Acclaimed for renditions of spirituals, contralto Marian Anderson, the first such African American singer, performed at metropolitan opera of city of New York in 1955.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_...

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The humility of her person and love that she has for music really comes through in Marian Anderson's autobiography. I love what she has to say about singing and couldn't agree with her more. She did not let her career effect her passion for music or the purpose of her voice in illustrating the emotion behind the words. Also impressive is the perspective she gives on the issues of her time regarding race in America. By saying that she possesses humility is almost an understatement regarding the innocence and purity with which she discusses some of the most heart breaking examples of segregation that were true during her lifetime. I appreciate the honesty that she presents in this book, and it affects me more that it is coming from her own voice. The autobiographies we see now are so often written or co-authored by someone else. Reading this older autobiography has made that difference apparent to me. I haven't completed the book yet, but I am very pleased with what I have read so far. I found this book through "Nook" as a free book. There are some strange punctuation errors because of the formatting, but I am more than happy to have this copy. i had looked for it at the library and in other bookstores and found nothing, so it to find it all and for free was a real miracle!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is, for me, an extremely difficult book to review. So much of it was so wonderful - and yet, at other times, I found it challenging to read. I got lost in the details of concert tours, musicians, and so on, and I struggled to finish, because there was no clear story line. But that was my failure, not the failure of the book. It is not actually a straight, chronological autobiography, and - here's the important thing, and the reason I gave it four stars, after all - it is not meant to be.

So what is it? It is two things. The first is Marian Anderson telling the story of her life. This is uneven, for she is a reticent woman, but she succeeds in letting us know who she is on a deep level. A dignified, compassionate, and intelligent artist emerges from these pages. That alone makes the book worth reading for anyone with an interest in music, singing, or spirituality. Ms. Anderson's faith and her love of friends, family, and her art shine through in this book. But she has no real interest in telling her readers about her struggles as an African-American woman making her way in what was, essentially, an Apartheid state. Anyone reading for that history will be disappointed.

I've touched on the second level of this book already. It's, most of all, a record of Ms. Anderson's life as an artist. She is often vivid and clear in describing her struggles with foreign languages, with learning and expressing the deepest levels of a song, and with absorbing the lessons her various teachers tried to impart. Much of this was fascinating. Thus the four star rating. I did hope for more drama, and a more linear story. But that was most likely my failing as a reader. I am still glad I borrowed this book, for Marian Anderson is a true heroine and a true artist.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad I read this.

This was a bit of a challenging book to rate in that it wasn't written by a writer (somehow someone has added some children's books written long after she passed away to her author, and I will work on rectifying this), was published in the 1950s and while it touches quite a bit on racism, etc, she wasn't a fighter and was writing for the classical music audience plus black readers back in the 1950s, BUT she also reminds me of my grandmother who was born at a similar time to her--it was a far more polite generation.

This book does cover some things from her life, but focuses a great deal on her career and her development as singer and artist (musical artist). On the one hand, it wasn't written to be a statement on racism, but on the other hand there is quite a bit in there. This book was written the decade before Jim Crow laws were made illegal. Anderson neither ignores the issues, nor makes radical statements since her focus was on her music. BUT this does not mean she didn't make any statements, she most certainly did.

In order to sing well and with the right attitude, she wrote that she couldn't dwell too much on her situation when she was the one exception as a black hotel guest--her management did the booking, but she could tell--so she handled herself in a way to help dispel ignorance, including in parts of Europe. That said, there are a few significant events surrounding her that I think need to be understood in the time she was living and not by contemporary times, and this isn't a spoiler for the story of her career. 1. When the DAR in Pennsylvania refused to allow her to perform in their hall, Eleanor Roosevelt quite the DAR--later a different DAR branch stood with Anderson in another state by buying a large block of tickets to one of her concerts. 2. She was the first black singer to be a member of the Metropolitan Opera company and as a soloist. Read the book for more details and what she thought of certain criticism. 3. Once she had established herself at a high level, she was able to take a stand and refuse to sing in any hall that had segregated seating.

Some of the things she longed to see have come to pass, but sadly not all have. Here is one that has improved but may not yet be all the way there in the classical music world:

My people have a right to expect that if an opportunity were open one of our own should not be by-passed, But the facts must be faced, and they have two aspects. A Negro must qualify on musical grounds and must be equal to the best competition if he is to find a place. On the other hand, there is no incentive for him to qualify if he knows that there will be no place open for him.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marian Anderson, a legendary contralto, recounts her story. She was the first African-American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. In 1939, the Washington DC chapter of the D.A.R. refused to let her perform at Constitution Hall. As a result, D.A.R. member Eleanor Roosevelt resigned. So did my operatic grandmother. I love that my grandmother who idolized Marian Anderson and who adored her chapter of the D.A.R. was indignant about this unequal treatment of rare talent.

Marian's descriptions of her life experiences are dynamic. She talks about how a poor, black teen was provided voice lessons, about her years of overcoming abject poverty & discrimination, about later touring in Europe & others parts of the world, and her famous performance at the Lincoln Memorial.

Marian's recordings (in CD format) are available online. What a voice! Her family continues to carry her legacy through the Marian Anderson Historical Society http://www.mariananderson.org/mission... . At the website you can listen to clips of her magical voice.

An excerpt from the website: "The Marian Anderson Historical Society would like to continue Marian Anderson's legacy by assisting and mentoring vocal classical artists in their professional careers. MAHS has provided financial sources for auditions, performances, wardrobe and competitions and would like to accumulate and distribute to scholars a directory that includes booking agents, managers, and classical producers. The Society would also like to produce its own concert series by establishing a Philadelphia base Marian Anderson Scholars Concert showcasing the Marian Anderson Scholars..."

[Carol Sklenicka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually loved the modest, careful tone of this book. Reminded me of my mother's generation, but it made me want to know much more about Marian Anderson's life than she chose to tell here.

[Kristen Flock-Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a charming read. About half of the book is a (not very) chronological telling of Marion Anderson’s career and the other half is her description of her processes and impressions. The walkthrough of her life story shows that Anderson is not much of a storyteller, many of her anecdotes are brief and only somewhat illuminating. Some of her descriptions of her approach to her art a little on the light side as well. However, the over all tone of the writing is more than enough to acquaint the reader with the character and personality of Anderson. She is a very humble, unassuming person who truly just wanted to sing, and through hard work accomplished so much in a time of great adversity for Black artists. She takes very little credit for her success, and even mentions several times that it is a likely fault in her that she is not more outgoing; it’s sad that someone with so much talent should feel it’s not her place to claim her triumphs or advocate for herself more fully,but this partially comes from the time period she was living in and partially due to her more subdued nature.

[David Nazz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book randomly at the library. I did not know who Marian Anderson was. Her book is filled with details about appearances, performers, pieces of music. Many unfamiliar to myself. It is a dated book (which is both a positive and a weakness). I felt she was holding back. Her tone is very pleasant. I wanted to feel her emotion more.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marian Anderson was a trailblazer in her time. Reading her autobiography you would never know the amount of racism she faced and how many times she was turned away from places. Instead of highlighting every incident of racism or Jim Crow, she just refers to them as "difficulties." She believed that by just being her, people's hearts would change towards her people.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

The graciously-told tale of a life well-lived in song and in service.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful memoir of a woman ahead of her time. She faced many trials and never strayed from her wise and kind path. A great, accessible read.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, easy read

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

1956.
1897 Philadelphia -- 1993 [at her nephew's home in Portland OR, he was James Anderson DePriest, conductor]
Excellent book. Diplomatically written, with negative experiences and opinions carefully phrased. Emphasis on the positive in everyone. "Gentle" is a good word for this book.

Touches on occasions of discrimination [hotels and restaurants that refused her] without rancor, noting how many people and places were so very welcoming.

Fascinating to read about so many different aspects of her work and life, her early life, her mother's character, clothing for concerts, eating before and after concerts, practicing with her pianist, what spirituals mean to her. Her concert tours in Europe and reception there. The role of her manager/impresario Mr. Hurok.

After reading the book, I listened to her singing on YouTube and to a couple of good documentaries there. Secretary of the Interior Ickes's brief speech at the Lincoln Memorial concert, 1939, is worth listening to too.

[Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple straight-forward book in simple straight-forward language by a very classy lady. Marion Anderson was a woman gifted with an incredible voice in an era when blacks,like her, were routinely discriminated against. It is inspiring to hear her talk without animosity about the prejudice she faced, her role as a symbol, and her trust that in time the "goodness and generosity" of the American people would win out.

Reading this beautiful memoir, I was struck with how all-encompassing music can be & with the amount of training and practice required even in one so gifted. I was impressed with Ms. Anderson's determination and with her tremendous acceptance and appreciation of others' customs and ideas. An exceptional lady.

[Emily Kidd]

The first few lines are (still) my favorite, in fact they were the lines that I read as an excerpt in my high school lit book which led me to buy the whole volume for myself. Her childhood, the beginning of her story, was the portion of the book best pieced together; the rest didn't seem to follow an overarching timeline, but rather divided her life into sections like husband, travel, racism, etc. I like to see how everything fits together in a single day, or even in a larger timeframe like a week or a year, so I was somewhat disappointed, but Marian Anderson was an amazing lady and should be more recognized as a historical figure in the great American drama. I appreciate her struggles, and I applaud her.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. I didn't really know anything about Marian Anderson. The way this book is written is kind of strange. The author kind of jumps around in the telling of her life. At one point she is married, and then in the next chapter she is telling about some other time before that. That was what I didn't really like. Other than that it was a good read. :P

[VerJean · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Lord, What a Woman!
Published in 1956. Difficult to remember just how segregated the south, our country, the world was at that time.
Immense admiration for this artist who conducted herself without prejudice for the bigots of the world and so graciously conducted herself.
Enjoy seeing her perform on occasion on "Classic Arts Showcase" cable channel.
Recommended reading.

[Sandollar3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marion Anderson became a very famous worldwide black singer when blacks had a difficult time contributing, or being considered a part of society. She never planned on being famous, and the book chronicles the ups and downs of her life and caree.

[Maria Fernanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un buen libro, yo lo leí en español. La versión en español se llama "Un radiante spiritual" y me gustó mucho.
Tuvo una vida interesante, comenzando con su niñez y sus orígenes.
Los capítulos son cortos y fáciles de leer.
Lo recomiendo.
No tiene violencia.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading My Lord, What a Morning. Fascinating portrait of an amazingly talented woman.

[Lauri]

I am just not a fan of autobiographies. They so often need editing and lack introspection. I found that to be particularly true of this book.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book; loaned to me by Klint Day. Quite old fashioned in its references to "my people" etc.

[Jenifer Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply written auto-biography of the famous contractor who happened to be an African-American. It's an inspirational book for anyone who has a dream. Read in 2009.

[Will Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Autobiography of famous African American contralto. Born and raised in S. Philly. Sadly, no clear evidence of belief in Jesus even though she grew up in a church context.