A Life In Music

In her 41 short years, Kathleen Ferrier lived a life of unique artistry, acquiring an iconic status which remains potent to this day. She rose in the space of four years from a a simple background to perform at the greatest opera houses in the world, yet in the process she retained the popular affection of a generation. Much of Ferrier’s art lies in the sheer range of her repertoire. The tone of her voice was ideally suited to Bach and Handel arias, but she was equally at home with the expressive lieder of Schubert and Schumann. For many though, it was Ferrier’s single-handed revival of the British folk song which set her apart. To this day “Blow The Wind Southerly” and “I Know Where I’m Goin’” have an immediate association with her voice. Over 40 years after her untimely death, she still retains a special place in British musical history and in the hearts of many. This collection brings together 22 of her best loved recordings for the Decca label, with the documentary “An Ordinary Diva” which was commissioned by the BBC in 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her death.