Kathleen Ferrier, 1949: Norwegian Recital - "Altar"

In this live Norwegian radio broadcast from 1949, thirty-seven year old Kathleen Ferrier (1912-1953) performs as an encore the song "Altar," by the Norwegian composer Paul Ludvig Irgens-Jensen (1894-1969). Ms. Ferrier's performance is preceded by a brief introductory speech -- the only record of her speaking voice, according to the notes penned by her sister, Winifred Ferrier, on the reverse side of the LP jacket.

I created this music video from the extremely rare LP shown above, "Kathleen Ferrier - Broadcast Recital From Norway," issued in 1957 on the London label, serial number LL 1670. Ferrier is accompanied by pianist Phyllis Spurr.

The first minute of this video features Winifred Ferrier's introductory text from the reverse side of the LP jacket, in which she explains the genesis of this recording.