The contralto Kathleen Ferrier age 41 years died following a long illness against cancer.
Her death came as a terrible shock to her many admirers.
Here is 'Klever Kaff' singing Schubert's An die Musik.

Sung in German.

English Translation:
...........To Music.........

You, noble Art, in how many grey hours,
When life's mad tumult wraps around me,

Have you kindled my heart to warm love,
Have you transported me into a better world,
Transported into a better world!

Often has a sigh flowing out from your harp,
A sweet, divine harmony from you

Unlocked to me the heaven of better times,
You, noble Art, I thank you for it!
You, noble Art, I thank you!

PHOTOS:
Kathleen singing in recital. Usher Hall, during the Edinburgh International Festival with Bruno Walter as piano accompanist.
In Princes Street Gardens during the Edinburgh International Festival.

Short extract from Wikipedia:-
"Shortly after Ferrier's death an appeal was launched by Sir John Barbirolli, Bruno Walter, Myra Hess and others, to establish a cancer research fund in Ferrier's name.
Donations were received from all over the world.
To publicise the fund a special concert was given at the Royal Festival Hall on 7 May 1954, at which Barbirolli and Walter shared the conducting duties without payment.

The Kathleen Ferrier Cancer Research Fund helped establish the Kathleen Ferrier Chair of Clinical Oncology at University College Hospital,London in 1984.

As the result of a separate appeal, augmented by the sales proceeds of a memoir edited by Neville Cardus, the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to encourage young British and Commonwealth singers."

In the Queen's New Year's Honours List of 1953 Kathleen Ferrier was awarded the CBE.

The Royal Philharmonic Society, in the summer of 1953 awarded her their Gold Medal.

Much has been written about Kathleen Ferrier with many of her recordings placed on YouTube, so I shall just quote the American contralto Marian Anderson:

"What a face----- and what a voice!"

Among the many tributes from her colleagues, that of the conductor Bruno Walter has been highlighted by biographers:
"THE GREATEST THING IN MUSIC IN MY LIFE HAS BEEN TO HAVE KNOWN KATHLEEN FERRIER AND GUSTAV MAHLER.... IN THAT ORDER."

Says it all really.

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