Sold Date: March 8, 2014
Start Date: January 10, 2014
Final Price: $19.95 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 190
Buyer Feedback: 82

Album Title: Colin Davis Berlioz Cycle: Berlioz - Te Deum Op 22 Artist: Franco Tagliavini, tenor; London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Colin Davis Label: Philips Catalog # SAL3724/ 839 790 LY Year Released: 1969 Country: Holland Format: 33 rpm 12" LP Stereo LP Quantity: 1 
Vinyl Condition: Mint/Sealed Cover Condition: Near Mint/Sealed - gorgeous cover, small piece of the seal is missing on the bottom right back corner with a number written, otherwise perfect, good enough as a gift (see photos)
If you are not happy about my grading or for any other reason, I will be happy to accept your return within 60 days

Description: Here is your chance to get sealed, mint, and audiophile recording with cult following from Philips. Philips’s legendary Berlioz cycle with Sir Colin and the London Symphony will long remain one of the greatest achievements in the history of the recording industry.
Thank you, and rest in peace, Sir Colin Davis by Albert Imperato:
"One of the most powerful gifts that any conductor can give us is to turn audiences on to a composer who may not yet have had his justly deserved day in the sun, and in that way, Sir Colin was one of the most powerful. Just as Leonard Bernstein had given us the kind of definitive performances of the music of Mahler that changed musicians’ and audiences’ understanding of the composer’s importance, Sir Colin championed the cause of Berlioz with a fire that burned with passionate commitment and incomparable understanding. The great French Romantic, who struggled so painfully in his own time with neglect and miscomprehension, found in Sir Colin a century later an advocate who utterly transformed how modern listeners understand his works. Sir Colin’s Berlioz became a touchstone that all future musicians can turn to for guidance and inspiration. Similarly, Sir Colin’s interpretations of the music of Sibelius rang with authority and authenticity, more often than not crossing into the realm of revelation. 
In the years that I worked at Universal Music, my assignment at Deutsche Grammophon meant that I didn’t work close up with Sir Colin, who recorded for DG’s sister label, Philips. But some of his recordings were, and remain, among my most treasured. Philips’s legendary Berlioz cycle with Sir Colin and the London Symphony will long remain one of the greatest achievements in the history of the recording industry."

Little needs to be said about this audiophile classic. Known for its demonstration qualities with very low, deep bass and overall smooth and warm sound.
Own this MINT sealed record to add this unique style of audiophile choral music to your collection. * : , * ‎– Te Deum Label:  ‎– SAL3724,  ‎– 839 790 LY Format: , LP 
Country: Released: Genre: Style: Tracklist  Te Deum, Op. 22A1Te Deum Laudamus (Hymn)A2Tibi Onmes (Hymn)A3Dignare (Prayer)B4Christe Rex Gloriae (Hymn)B5Te Ergo Quaesumus (Prayer)B5Judex Crederis (Hymn And Prayer) Credits Choir –  Chorus Master – ,  Composed By – * Conductor – * Orchestra, Chorus –  Organ –  Tenor Vocals –  Notes Rear sleeve information about the composer and songs, and lyrics, printed in English.

Two-sided printed insert with same information printed in Dutch.

Track listing numbers reflect sleeve numbering.





































This particular album is from 1954-1968 golden era of audiophile sound. In this era, equipment running on tubes (or valves in British English) was used both to record as well as to run cutting lathe used to prepare the disk master. Miking techniques were usually pretty simple adding to the energy and directness of the sound. Combine the technical advantages with the best orchestras, conductors, producers, and recording engineers of the era and you have audiophile records to die for. In other words, with the albums from the golden era you usually feel that you are right there in the middle of the room where performance taking place. 
The sound was never as good either before 1954 nor after 1968. You see, stereo became commercially viable only in 1954 and transistors killed warm tube-based sound around 1968. That's why records made in those 10 years are so sought after. Some are more collectible than the others, but I can guarantee that you would love the sound from this era whether the record is collectible or not.
If you are after true audiophile sound this album has it in droves. Delightful music, warm tube sound, low noise are all here.

Actual item pictured, not a stock photo. Click images to enlarge.
Records are carefully cleaned before shipping and sent to you ASAP using 200 pound test "bend-resistant" corrugated cardboard mailer. 
Additional Info: Thank you for your interest in the record I have to offer. I am not a professional record dealer, but music enthusiast just like you! In fact, I am scientist by day and stereophile and DJ by night. I collect audiophile records and if I offer one for sale on eBay, I usually spend all my profits right here on eBay to buy more records! 
I know what it's like to order a record in "mint" condition and to receive a scratchy and moldy "dog" of a record. That's why I am very conservative in my grading and mint condition is reserved for sealed records only. No exceptions. No excuses. This is matched by a generous return policy: if the grading for your record is not as described, just return it to me within 60 days and get a full refund. Still sealed records must be returned sealed in order to be eligible for a refund.
I grade PLAY-GRADE most of my records or VISUALLY grade sealed records using the following standards:
Mint (M): Sealed record. No exceptions. No excuses. Please note that many European import records were not sealed in the first place. I can list them as Near Mint (NM).
Near Mint (NM): This is the highest grade I use. Vinyl Shows no obvious signs of wear but has been played or handled so it may have a few minor paper scuffs. The cover has no damage or split seams and shows only minor signs of wear or age.
Very Good Plus (VG+): Handled and played but well taken care of. The vinyl is shiny but may have a small scratch or scuffs. The cover shows slight storage wear or age. The cover may have the beginning of ring wear or writing, stickers, stamps, cut corners, neatly taped seams or hole punches.
Very Good (VG): Vinyl is still shiny but surface is marked with scuffing or light scratches. The cover has more obvious ring wear, scuffing, rounded corners, writing or conspicuously taped seams. 
I would not sell anything below VG grade unless specifically noted.


Now about the music: I collect and sell records from the golden era of audiophile records 1954-1968. Recordings during this period were produced using valve (tube) amplifiers and the lacquers were cut using valve driven lathes. As a result these early records have a rich glowing sound quality not present on most later pressings made with transistor technology. The use of simple microphone set-ups, usually just one or two may in part account for the more natural and satisfying sound of these early recordings. 
This combined with of some of the most celebrated conductors, singers and instrumentalists of the 20th Century, produced on LP by superb recording engineers, and using top quality vinyl, makes makes albums from 1954-1967 unique, valuable, and appealing.   Sound aside, many people enjoy viewing the wonderfully colorful LP jacket designs, so unique to the 50's and 60's.
I also specialize in sealed albums. Even if they are not from the 1954-1967 era, they are veritable time capsules that sound amazing compared to the modern technologies like CD and mp3. Sealed albums are true "mint" recordings (as opposed to the abused eBay "mint" category many sellers use for obviously used records). You are going to be the first person listening to the record and hear it just the way the record producer intended you to hear. In my experience, the sound of a decent sealed record is very close to audiophile.

If you are just starting out: In my opinion, any decent audiophile LP record will sound amazing compared not only to mp3, but even to any CD. No need to start another holy war regarding LPs vs. CDs, but you need to try it for yourself to be convinced. The fact remains that many people prefer the sound of LPs to that of CDs. This is why that in addition to the hardcore classical LP collectors, more and more audiophiles are now buying used albums. 
Also, you have to ask yourself a question: Is my wonderful mp3 collection going to be around 20 or even 10 years from now? Probably not. Digital formats become obsolete. Who remembers Minidisc anymore? That's the nature of the beast. On the other hand, your LP collection is yours to keep. Many good quality collectible LPs were made in the 50s and still sound like new 60 years later! They will last another 50 years just fine.
In any case, you will need four things to get started: record player, decent cartridge, phono pre-amplifier, and good cleaning pad for you records. While there is literally no upper limit on the amount of money you can spend on these four things here is the list of recommended components to get you started for well under $1,000:
1. Record player: Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB (about $250) - good deal in every respect. It has onboard pre-amplifier so you don't need to buy one below. Comes with respectable AT95E cartridge. Another good option is Pro-Ject Debut Carbon turntable (about $400). It doesn't have the pre-amplifier but it has more audiophile features that might work for you. It comes with Ortofon OM 10 or 2M red audiophile grade cartridge.
2. Cartridge: Both suggested turntables above include good cartridges to start with. But if you want a little bit better sound, especially from Audio-Technica, then upgrade to Shure M97xE High-Performance Magnetic Phono Cartridge (about $70). For the Pro-Ject turntable you can upgrade to Ortofon 2M Blue (about $200), Bronze (about $349) or Black (about $440). I told you that there is no upper limit to what you can buy for your audiophile needs. There are $10,000 cartridges out there, if you got the money. Oh well, I rest my case.
3. Pre-amplifier: If you get a turntable without pre-amplifier you will need a phono pre-amp. That is unless your amplifier comes with phono-in input. Good choices for phono pre-amp are Pro-ject Phono Box (any version, starting from $99 to $699 for all tube Pro-Ject Tube Box for $699 - well worth the money, in my opinion) or any preamp from Music Hall.
4.Finally, you need a decent record cleaning gizmo to remove dust from your records to fully enjoy them. My unreserved recommendation is for Audio Technica AT6012 Record Care Kit AND Audio-technica AT6012X record cleaner pad. Get them both. While they sound about the same they are quite different. AT6012 is for wet cleaning while AT6012X is for dry cleaning. AT6012X is only available on eBay, directly from Japan, but A6012 can be bought from any online store. If the record is quite dirty I usually use wet cleaning and if there only few specs of dust here and there I would use AT6012X.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or issues. I will be happy to help. And enjoy your music!