Alban Berg Qt: Bartok 6 String Quartets - EMI 27 0611 3 (DDD, 3LP box set), NM

$

66

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful 3 LP box set – a superb collector’s copy – from EMI (27 0611 3, German Electrola pressing, DMM · Direct Metal Mastering, large dog semi-circle label, DDD stereo, booklet included) features the illustrious Alban Berg Quartet in their extraordinary cycle of Bela Bartok’s 6 String Quartets.

At this time, the Alban Berg Quartet was comprised of violinists Günter Pichler and Gerhard Schulz, violist Thomas Kakuska, and cellist Valentin Erben.  Their playing can be spoken of in the same breath as those by the Quartets Busch, Hollywood, Talich, Italiano, et al., with perhaps the finest sound of all.

The exact track list is as follows:

Quartet No.1, Op.7 (A Minor)

I: Lento

9:20

II: Allegretto

8:57

III: Introduzione (Allegro) - Allegro vivace

11:53

Quartet No.2, Op.17 (A Minor)

I: Moderato

9:38

II: Allegro molto capriccioso

7:38

III: Lento

7:42

Quartet No.3 (C Sharp Minor)

Prima Parte: Moderato

4:33

Seconda Parte: Allegro

5:34

Ricapitolazione della prima parte: Moderato - Coda: Allegro molto

5:00

Quartet No.4 (C Major)

I: Allegro

5:56

II: Prestissimo, con sordino

2:21

III: Non troppo lento

5:22

IV: Allegretto pizzicato

2:55

V: Allegro molto

5:34

Quartet No.5 (B Flat Major)

I: Allegro

7:39

II: Adagio molto

5:33

III: Scherzo (Alla Bulgarese) & Trio

4:49

IV: Andante

4:45

V: Finale (Allegro vivace)

6:53

Quartet No.6 (D Major)

I: Mesto – Vivace

7:31

II: Mesto – Marcia

7:36

III: Mesto - Burletta (Moderato)

7:11

IV: Mesto

These remarkable recordings were produced by David R. Murray and John Fraser and engineered by Johann-Nikolaus Matthes. All sessions were held in the rich acoustics of the Evangelische Kirche, Seon, over a period of 3 years (December 1983 / May 1984 / June and December 1985 and June 1986).

The remarkable cover art reproduces a detail from Ben Nicholson’s “Odyssey”. The 40-page, CD-size booklet contains superlative liner notes in English (by Paul Griffiths), as well as an appreciation of the Alban Berg Quartet’s artistry by Gerhard Brunner – all texts provided in English, German, and French.

PLEASE NOTE:

When making a "Best Offer", please keep in mind that, packaged for shipping, this set will weigh over 1 kg and will cost @ $45.00 USD to ship outside of Europe. This expense has been factored in to the list price. As this is a “free shipping” listing, I cannot add shipping. Whatever price is agreed upon, shipping by certified airmail will then be free. Please write if this is not clear or if you have any questions. I will be glad 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 box is near-MINT. Aside from some minor indentations to the front panel (as if someone had written on a piece of paper placed atop the front panel), the box appears almost as new. There are no seamsplits, corner breaks, bends, or other defects and the box remains solid, bright, and highly attractive – a superb collector's copy.

The condition of the CD-size, 40-page booklet is MINT.

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

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:
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.

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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.