Sold Date: September 20, 2014
Start Date: September 19, 2014
Final Price: $115.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 3296
Buyer Feedback: 53

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful double-gatefold LP from Philips (838 432 LY, “Lux” series, Dutch pressing, red/silver label, stereo) features Janos Starker's peerless readings of Brahms's Cello Sonatas No. 1 in E minor Op. 38 and No. 2 in F Major Op. 99*, warmly recorded with his longtime recital partner, the brilliant pianist Gyorgy Sebok, at Watford Town Hall outside London on 25*/26 June 1964 (producer: Harold Lawrence / engineer: Robert Eberenz) –almost 50 years on still landmarks in the Brahms discography and gramophone classics.

Worth noting is the fact that this handsome red/silver Dutch pressing is a bit thicker than one usually encounters – a beautiful pressing.

Of the Philips “Musica de camera” LP re-issue the critic J.O.C. wrote in his review for the April 1985 issue of The Gramophone:

“For the most part both artists play into each other's hands in a way suggesting a marriage of true minds. Starker's sparing vibrato and refusal to wallow in plangent sound just for its own sake (note his reticent and very 'separate' notes in the cantabile following the pizzicato at the opening of the Second Sonata's Adagio) does not mean that Brahms emerges as more classic than romantic. The playing is as keenly responsive to the music's heart-beat as to its structural logic. A lively tempo for the First Sonata's Minuetto and for the Second Sonata's finale pays off too.”

The beautiful cover photo was taken by Arjé Plas, while the insightful liner notes on the interior panels of the gatefold jacket, provided in German and French only, were written by Karl Grebe.

PLEASE NOTE:

These Philips “Lux” pressing are quite heavy – even with minimal packaging, prepared for shipping they weigh over 600 kg. This means that outside of Europe the cost for shipping is about $30 USD, and that is just for standard airmail. Certified airmail (with a tracking number) costs $33 USD. Those in doubt can visit the Spanish postal website (Correos.com), which is available in English. Although this listing states “free” shipping, it is not really free, of course. I have to pay for shipping like everyone else. Anyway, all this to say that those who feel the price is high need to take the cost of shipping into account. If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to write and I will be happy to help. Thank you.

CONDITION:

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

The condition of the gatefold jacket is VERY GOOD+. There is minor edgewear, more so at corners, as well as mild shelfwear, but that is all. There are no bends, seamsplits, owners’ markings, or other faults, the heavyweight gatefold jacket remains perfectly solid, bright, glossy, and extremely attractive in appearance – overall, a very good collector's copy.

The condition of the LP is near-MINT and playback is superb – overall, a truly fine 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:
Payment by PayPal is greatly preferred. Payment should be made within 5 days.

SHIPPING:
Shipping is free to anywhere in the world; this is true regardless of the number of LPs you buy, be it 1 or a 100. All LPs will be sent via standard airmail (7-10 days delivery). Note: There is no tracking number provided with standard airmail. Should you wish to have your item(s) sent via certified airmail (i.e., with a tracking number), please contact me.

FEEDBACK:
I will promptly leave feedback for all buyers. Please do not leave negative, or even neutral, feedback without first giving me an opportunity to resolve any dissatisfaction you might have with an item or transaction. I do understand that, on occasion, a buyer might believe the item description to be inaccurate or that a buyer may be disappointed in some other way regarding the sale. I promise I will do my very best to resolve any unhappiness you've experienced in your buying experience with me to your complete satisfaction. Thank you.

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.