Sold Date: January 29, 2015
Start Date: June 22, 2014
Final Price: $60.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 3386
Buyer Feedback: 13

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This handsome 2-disc 78rpm set from Columbia Masterworks (X-103, US pressing, blue/gold label, mono) features Joseph Szigeti’s justly famous account of Tartini’s Concerto in D minor for Violin and Orchestra, made with conductor Walter Goehr and a crack pick-up orchestra. Szigeti plays his own edition after the arrangement by Emilio Pente.

Filling out the disc is a riveting performance of the Arioso from Bach’s Clavier Concerto in D minor BWV 1056, here in Szigeti’s own transcription of the second movement Largo, made with conductor Fritz Stiedry and the New Friends of Music Orchestra.

Both works were recorded in 1937 and show Szigeti on fine form. All those who treasure the art of the violin will find much to admire here, playing from another age – wonderful!

Of EMI’s CD re-issue of this recording, the eminent critic Lionel Salter wrote in his review for the January 1994 issue of The Gramohone:

“At the present time, when so many violinists seem obsessed with the production of fat, voluptuous tone, it is perhaps particularly salutary to be reminded of the clean-limbed, elegantly aristocratic playing of Szigeti. He was a highly cultivated musician of considerable intellect, revered by the entire violin fraternity for his insight, sensitive phrasing and finely crafted interpretations; and the present reissue of his mid-1930s performances of three very diverse works bears witness to his artistic integrity. It is sad that in the last 20 years or so of his life his intonation failed him, but these recordings show him at the height of his powers, with not a single flaw except for the rising octaves near the end of the first movement of the Mendelssohn. In the Mozart the recording of the orchestra is forward and rather shallow, but it is Szigeti's tonal purity that at once beguiles. Beecham's hand makes itself felt in the loving shaping of the opening of the Andante: this whole movement is ravishingly beautiful. To be noted, also, is the very restrained speed of the 2/4 sections of the finale: throughout the disc, indeed, one is struck by Szigeti's avoidance of routine readings.”

The right front interior panel carries a listing of other recordings from the Columbia Masterworks catalog.

PLEASE NOTE:

In general, I playgrade all of the items I list on eBay (LPs and Cds). I do not possess a 78rpm player and so cannot attest to the playback quality – I can only visually grade it, but I try to at least do that very carefully and accurately.

CONDITION:

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

The condition of the front album is VERY GOOD. There is edgewear and shelfwear, as well as a library stamp to the front panel, but that is all. The two inner sleeves are free of seamsplits and the binding throughout remains perfectly solid. There is a library pocket/card on the inside of the back cover and it seems to have never been check out. Overall, this rates as a very collector's copy.

The condition of the 2 78rpm discs is EXCELLENT throughout. All 4 sides are free of any obvious scratches or marks and are still quite glossy. The labels are also free of any marks or spindle trails and look new. My guess, based on a visual grade only, is that playback is excellent.

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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SHIPPING:
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FEEDBACK:
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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.