Sold Date: October 20, 2020
Start Date: October 14, 2020
Final Price: $375.00 $300.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 4215
Buyer Feedback: 943

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This handsome 4LP box set from Philips (835 245-48 AY, Dutch pressings, red/silver label, original jackets and booklet included, stereo) features David Oistrakh’s peerless readings of the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas, recorded with long-time collaborator, pianist Lev Oborin – recorded in the warm acoustics of Le Chant du Monde studios, Paris during May/June 1962, a landmark cycle even 45 years later.

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This particular Phiips issue is very attractive, consisting of a heavy cloth box with gilt lettering and a full-size, heavy-paper 16-page booklet, with striking portraits of the artists and extensive note on the music in German and English.

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There have been fine traversals by the likes of Menuhin, Szeryng, Stern, and Perlman, but Oistrakh brings a marvelous purity of playing to this repertoire, his cycle touched by a wisdom and humanity, allied to a brilliant technique, that sets him apart from nearly all others.

The sound engineers afforded the veteran duo with uncommonly fine sound, the violin perfectly distanced from the microphone and its balance with the piano in optimum measure.  Unlike so many collaborations captured on disc, this is one of equals, with Oborin consistently matching Oistrakh in imagination.

Indeed, not unlike Eugene Istomin, Oborin was at his finest in chamber music and remains fully equal to Oistrakh’s artistry throughout all ten sonatas – an inspired musical partnership that was a model of its kind.

Thus, included are all 10 of Beethoven's Violin Sonatas:

No. 1 in D Major Op. 12 No. 1

No. 2 in A Major Op. 12 No. 2

No. 3 in E-flat Major Op. 12 No. 3

No. 4 in A minor Op. 23

No. 5 in F Major Op. 24 'Spring'

No. 6 in A Major Op. 30 No. 1

No. 7 in C minor Op. 30 No. 2

No. 8 in G Major Op. 30 No. 3

No. 9 in A Major Op. 47 'Kreutzer'

No. 10 in G Major Op. 96

As much a tribute to Oistrakh as to Beethoven, this beautiful set remains a great rarity.

Incidentally, for these sessions, Oistrakh played his 1702 Stradivarius 'La Fontana'.

Included is a lovely 16-page full-size booklet – printed on heavy art paper – with extensive notes (uncredited) on the music – as well as striking black-and-white portraits of Oistrakh and Oborin. All texts are provided in English and German.

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 cloth box is EXCELLENT. There is some slight shelf wear along the edges, but really that is all. There are no corner breaks, bends, seam splits, owners' markings, or other defects, and the box remains extremely solid and very handsome in appearance – overall, an excellent collector's copy.

The condition of the full-size, heavy-paper 20-page booklet is NM-. There is a little bit of discoloration (light spotting), but that is all. The pages remain bright and crisp, the binding perfect – overall, a NM- collector's copy.

The condition of the 4 LPs is near-MINT. Although the surfaces are not absolutely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT) these are fine copies and playback is superb. If you must have flawless surfaces, then please do not buy this set – these rate as NM collector's copies.

PLEASE NOTE: 
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 items you buy, be it 1 or a 100. This item will be sent via certified airmail (with a tracking number, 7-10 days delivery). 

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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.