Chailly: Mahler Symphony No. 10 + Varklärte Nacht - Decca (2LP box), superb copy

$

145

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This rare and beautiful 2LP box set, a superb collector’s copy, from Decca (421 182-1, Dutch pressing, blue/silver/red labels, DDD stereo, booklet included) features Riccardo Chailly and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra's haunting and powerful accounts of Mahler's Symphony No. 10, in the "performing version of Mahler's draft prepared by Deryck Cooke", and Schoenberg's Varklärte Nacht, a co-production with RIAS Berlin, the performances beautifully recorded in the rich acoustics of the Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin in October 1986 (producer Paul Myers / engineer: Stanley Goodall).

This Tenth marked the start of Chailly superb Mahler cycle for Decca and remains a landmark in the Mahler discography. The Schoenberg is no less fine, a richly evocative reading with a strong narrative pull and gorgeous playing.

Wrote Editor David Hurwitz for ClassicsToday.com:

"Chailly's Mahler Tenth has certainly withstood the test of time since its original release in 1988. Simon Rattle's new Berlin recording offers perhaps a more highly inflected, characterful performance, but Chailly has both the better playing and sound, and this pays particular dividends in the dark, rich string textures of the opening and closing movements. Both Rattle and Chailly use Deryck Cooke's revised performing version (Chailly sticks to it more literally than does Rattle), and this remains the edition of choice. Recent releases of other completion attempts, including a pretty ghastly one by Remo Mazzetti, only confirm the excellence of Cooke's work. I remain firmly convinced that with a little retouching (the addition of some genuinely Mahlerian percussion parts and a harder, more wind-based sonority in the second movement), we could have an even more authentic Mahler sound while retaining the lion's share of Cooke's achievement. Until someone reissues Wynn Morris' wonderful Philharmonia recording (the best thing that erratic but interesting conductor ever did and now unavailable to Philips due to a licensing problem), Chailly and Rattle offer the best way to go if you're looking for a complete Tenth."

Included is a 36-page, CD-size booklet with extensive notes on the music by David Matthews – all texts provided in English, German, and French.

Incidentally, the striking cover art was executed by David Newton; art direction was carried out by Ann Bradbeer.

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. Other than a tiny spot of discoloration on the lower spine, there are no flaws to speak of and the box appears as new. There are no seamsplits, corner breaks, bends, owners' markings, or other defects, and the whole remains extremely solid, bright, glossy, and striking in appearance – very much an outstanding collector's copy.

The condition of the 36-page, CD-size booklet is near-MINT. There are no flaws to speak of and it appears virtually as new – again, an outstanding collector’s copy.

The condition of the 2 LPs is near-MINT throughout and in both playback is truly superb – overall, these rate as superlative collector's copies.