Bernstein/VPO: Shostakovich Symphonies Nos. 6 & 9 - DG 419 771-1 (DDD), NM

$

95

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful and rare LP from Deutsche Gramophon (419 771-1, German pressing, white circle label, DDD stereo) features Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s brilliant and haunting accounts of Shostakovich’s Symphonies No. 6 in B minor Op. 54 and No. 9 in E-flat Major Op. 70, both recorded 'live' in the Grosser-Saal, the Musikverein, Vienna, in October 1985 (Op. 70) and October 1984 (Op. 54).

Bernstein had recorded the Nintth before, and fine as his earlier CBS reading was (with the NYPO), this DG remake benefits from the added frisson of 'live' performance, imbued throughout with a tremendous sense of occasion. The Sixth makes for a powerful addition to Bernstein’s discography; the long first movement, very expansive here, is quite moving.

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Wrote The New York Times’s music critic in his/her review for the 19 April 1992 issue:

"...Bernstein, who might have undertaken a Shostakovich cycle had he lived longer, brings plenty of flair to his pairing of Symphonies Nos. 6 and 9 with the Vienna Philharmonic; Deutsche Grammophon 419771, along with a loving, enlightening attention to detail..."

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Hanno Rinke was the head of production for this album, Hans Weber the recording supervisor, and Klaus Scheibe the balance engineer.

Incidentally, the striking cover art reproduces a detail from Alexander Deineka’s “A Summer Outing”. There are superb liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket in German and Italian (by Dorothea Redepenning), as well as in English (by Richard Longman), and in French (by André Lischke).

This Shostakovich LP – along with the conductor's DG Mahler albums – must be counted 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.

CONDITION:

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

The condition of the jacket is near-MINT. Aside from some minuscule wear at corners, really there are no flaws to speak of and the album appears almost as new. There are no seamsplits, bends, or owners' markings, and the jacket remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, a superb collector's copy.

The condition of the LP is near-MINT and playback is superb – overall, a truly fine collector's copy.

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!

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