ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This handsome LP from Columbia (FCX 914, French pressing, blue/silver label, “baguette-style” jacket, dowel spine, mono) features the great Samson François in an all-Debussy recital, superbly recorded in the warm acoustics of the Salle Wagram, Paris, in July 1961.

 

The exact contents are as follows:

 

L’Isle joyeuse

 

4 Preludes, from Book I

No. 8 La fille aux cheveux de lin

No. 10 La cathédrale ingloutie

No. 11 La danse de Puck

No. 12 Minstrels

 

La plus que lente, valse

 

Pour le Piano

            Prelude

            Sarabande

            Toccata

 

1 Etude, from 6 Etudes Book II

            No. 11 Pour les arpéges composés

 

2 excerpts from Suite Bergamasque

            Claire de lune

            Passepied

 

A true keyboard maverick, Francois' playing boasts a flair and visionary quality that leaves many of his contemporaries sounding bland by comparison. He was a risk taker, and while all of his gambits did not succeed, these Debussy selections are marvelously characterized, imbued with blazing conviction, high drama, and stirring poetry – stunning!

 

There are superlative liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Jacques Seiller, printed in French only. The striking cover photo of Francois is uncredited.

 

CONDITION – PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY:

The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.

 

The condition of the jacket is VERY GOOD+. Were it not for a 2” crack (not a true seamsplit) to the upper edge, this would rate nearly as NM. There is some minuscule wear at corners and mild discoloration to the rear panel, but that is all. Otherwise, the album remains solid and very attractive in appearance – overall, a very good collector’s copy.

 

The condition of the dowel spine is VERY GOOD. There is a 2” seamsplit to the right side of the inner paper sleeve, but that is all; otherwise, all is fine.

 

The condition of the LP itself is VERY GOOD. While there are a few slightly noisy passages, in general the playback is quite fine. However, those requiring a flawless or near-MINT copy are kindly advised to look elsewhere. Overall, this rates as an excellent collector's copy.

PLEASE NOTE:
This LP has been carefully cleaned using a VPI cleaning machine. All LPs are provided with a new Nagaoka (or Nagaoka-style) inner sleeve. The images I've provided are of the actual item you are potentially bidding on - these are not stock images or images I've taken from other sites. Bid with confidence!

PAYMENT:
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REFUNDS:
Returns are honored, and any buyer you makes a return will be refunded in full. Please contact me before making a return.

Please see my other classical LP and CD auctions, and feel free to write with any questions, I'll be glad to help.