BRAHMS

Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77

SEALED UK import 180 gram Vinyl LP. Columbia/Testament Records AEMI 2307. Stereo, limited edition reissue. COVER & VINYL: MINT still sealed, never played.

LEONID KOGAN (violin)

KYRIL KONDRASHIN conducting THE PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA.

During the 1950s only the finest Soviet artists were allowed to leave their country and perform abroad, and it took much patience and negotiating skill on the part of recording companies in getting permission for Russian artists to make records in the west. One of these distinguished musicians was the violinist Leonid Kogan, who in the earlier part of his career lived in the shadow of an older colleague, the great violinist David Oistrakh. As time went on connoisseurs of violin playing perceived a different kind of greatness in Kogan's art. Whereas Oistrakh harked back to the old romantic school, Kogan represented a more modern, more pure, more classical style. The "Brahms Concerto" was one of Kogan's favorites, and although his performance was strongly communicative he played the work with the utmost fidelity and in a fashion which very much suggested that his way was the "right" way. We can hear these qualities very clearly in his recorded performance, made during 1959. Every tempo, every turn of phrase seems just as it should be, and the interpretation as a whole is profoundly satisfying. Another Russian artist, Kyril Kondrashin, is the conductor, and he shows, like Kogan, a particular ability to bring out that blend of romantic warmth and architectural, classical strength which is the hallmark of Brahms' inspiration.

The performance is captured in a finely balanced, strikingly faithful quality of sound, and in their 180-gram LP reissue Testament have recaptured the characteristics of the original LP recording with impressive fidelity. The result is a reissue which is richly satisfying both in terms of fine sound quality and musical experience.

***FACTORY SEALED***NEVER PLAYED***

 

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RECORD GRADING:

MINT (M) ---- It should be SEALED and appear to be brand new. Mint means STILL SEALED, NEVER PLAYED. NEAR MINT (NM or NM-) ---- OPENED or UNSEALED. Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG++ or strong VG++ or VG+++) The record or cover that all but the most particular collector would say looks outstanding. Cover may have insignificant manufacturers defect such as notch hole or cut corner.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+ or strong VG+) The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully.  On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptable  for most collectors.  Cover has most of its original gloss and has been well taken care of.  Minor seam splits may be acceptable.
VERY GOOD (VG or strong VG) ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, non-feelable marks that might or will affect the sound as mild occasional surface noise or periodic pops/clicks. Usually a cover is VG when one or more of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.
VERY GOOD- (VG- or G+) Record will show signs same as VG with heavier wear including noticeable groove wear and feelable marks that will likely pop or click.  Popping or clicking will be most evident through quieter passages.  Record should play all the way through, but may skip.
GOOD (G) ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping, but may skip. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.  Filler copy until a better one can be found.
POOR (P) ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Only the rarest of records should ever be graded as Poor while the others should go to the trash heap.

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