Sold Date: November 18, 2020
Start Date: August 11, 2019
Final Price: $647.50 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 4225
Buyer Feedback: 198

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This handsome and rare 3LP box set from Sine Qua Non (SAS 2028/3, US pressing, silver labels, stereo) features Christian Ferras' sublime rendition of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin BWV 1001-1006, recorded in the United States in December 1977 and well capturing his beautiful, fulsome tone. His traversal of Bach's masterpieces for unaccompanied violin remains among the more elusive of the editions issued on LP.

It seems worth re-printing violinist Jacques Thibaud tribute to the young Ferras: "He is the most outstanding violinist of his generation, and one of the finest performers I know of: he possesses radiant tone, admirable technique, a passion for his art, and the human warmth that projects across the footlights because it has the true power of communicating feeling and of conveying the emotions of masterpieces.

It seems worth mentioning that the recorded sound engineering is magnificent. Had Ferras set down these works for DG or another of the major labels, this set would be far better known and would certainly rank among the classic recordings of the Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin. Really, it is an astonishing achievement. And on a sad note, they were recorded not long before his tragic early death, by suicide, at age 49 in 1982.

Included then are the following:

Sonata No. 1 in G minor BWV 1001
　Adagio (4:28)
　Fugue (5:28)
　Siciliana (3:44)
　Presto (4:02)

Partita No. 1 in B minor BWV 1002
　Allemande (5:02)
　Double (2:13)
　Courante (3:38)
　Double (4:08)
　Sarabande (4:09)
　Double (2:00)
　Bourrée (3:42)
　Double (3:18)

Sonata No. 2 in A minor BWV 1003
　Grave (3:52)
　Fugue (8:21)
　Andante (5:12)
　Allegro (5:47)

Partita No. 2 in D minor BWV 1004
　Allemande (3:17)
　Courante (2:53)
　Sarabande (4:30)
　Gigue (3:17)
　Chaconne (14:02)

Sonata No. 3 in C Major BWV 1005
　Adagio (4:06)
　Fugue (10:12)
　Largo (3:45)
　Allegro assai (5:43)

Partita No. 3 in E Major BWV 1006
　Prelude (3:47)
　Loure (4:32)
　Gavotte (2:57)
　Menuet I et II (4:04)
　Bourrée (1:37)
　Gigue (1:52)

The liner notes are reproduced on the reverse side of the box and are by the eminent critic Bernard Gavoty, printed in English only. The striking cover art is uncredited, alas.

CONDITION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

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

The condition of the box is EXCELLENT. There is some shelf wear, scuffing, and corner wear, but that is all. There are no seam splits, corner breaks, or other defects, and the whole remains perfectly solid, bright, and highly attractive – overall, an excellent collector's copy.

The condition of the 3 LPs is near-MINT throughout and playback is superb in all 3 – overall, these rate as truly fine collector's copies.

PLEASE NOTE: 
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PAYMENT: 
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SHIPPING:
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REFUNDS:
Refunds are at the buyer's expense. Please let me know before making a return. 

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