Bernstein/NYPO: Mahler Symphony No. 7 (r. 1985, DDD) - DGG 419 211-1 (sealed)

$

195

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful and rare 2LP box set – a still-sealed copy – from Deutsche Gramophone (419 211-1, German pressing, white circle label, DDD stereo, booklet included) features Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s stunning account of Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 in E minor, recorded “live” at Avery Fischer Hall, New York, in November 1985 (producer: Hanno Rinke / recording supervisor: Hans Weber / engineer: Klaus Scheibe).

Fine as his earlier CBS reading was (also with the NYPO), this DG remake benefits from the added frisson of 'live' performance, imbued throughout with a tremendous sense of occasion.

The tracklisting, taken from Discogs, is as follows:

1st Movement

1-1

1 Langsam (Adagio)

2:16

1-2

2 Nicht Schleppen

1:23

1-3

3 Allegro Risoluto, Ma Non Troppo

1:24

1-4

4 A Tempo (Sempre L'Istesso)

2:23

1-5

5a Moderato

1:39

1-6

5b Moderato

4:29

1-7

6 Adagio (Tempo Der Einleitung)

2:26

1-8

7 Allegro Come Prima

1:51

1-9

8 Poco Ritenuto --- A Tempo

1:39

1-10

9 Nicht Eilen

2:10

2nd Movement

1-11

1 Nachtmusik. Allegro Moderato

3:59

1-12

2 Sempre L'Istesso Tempo

3:52

1-13

3 Poco Meno Mosso

3:14

1-14

4a Tempo

1:52

1-15

4b Tempo

1:29

1-16

5 Sehr Gemessen

2:45

3rd Movement

2-1

1 Scherzo. Schattenhaft

3:21

2-2

2 Trio

2:38

2-3

3 Wieder Wie Zu Anfang

4:36

4th Movement

2-4

1a Nachtmusik. Andante Amoroso

6:34

2-5

1b Nachtmusik. Andante Amoroso

3:00

2-6

2 Tempo I. Poco Rit.

5:08

5th Movement

2-7

1 Rondo-Finale. Tempo I (Allegro Ordinario)

1:45

2-8

2 Sempre L'Istesso Tempo

1:13

2-9

3 Tempo II (Allegro Moderato Ma Energico)

2:56

2-10

4a Tempo I

2:41

2-11

4b Tempo I

2:40

2-12

5 Tempo I Subito

1:12

2-13

6 Memo Mosso (Tempo II)

3:51

2-14

7 Accelerando

2:03

This stirring and moving Mahler Seventh – along with the conductor's other LPs in this cycle – must be among Bernstein's last recordings to be issued in the long-play format. The sound is of demonstration quality, the artwork striking, the whole a superb memento of Bernstein.

Wrote the critics of The Gramophone in three separate reviews:

"No one quite approaches Bernstein's account of [the third] movement in his recent New York recording for DG." (August 1987 review)

"Bernstein (DG) had the right idea in treating [the first movement] more as a kind of Charles Ivesian collage—making a virtue out of anarchy, if you like. The symphony sounds more extraordinary in his hands." (March 1996 review).

Incidentally, the striking cover art was executed by ERTE. The excellent CD-size (as issued with the LP set) 32-page booklet includes wonderful portraits of Bernstein, as well as extensive notes on the music in German, French, English, and Italian.

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 EXCELLENT. Although a sealed copy, there is slight sunning to the box and minor bumping/wear at corners. The shrinkwrap is frayed in places, but this copy is still truly sealed. There are no corner breaks, seamsplits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the box remains perfectly solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive in appearance. Overall, this rates as a handsome collector’s copy.

The condition of the 2 LPs is MINT throughout. These are still-sealed, unplayed copies – ideal collector’s copies.