Decca Orig 10 LP Box SXLA 6452-61 Backhaus Beethoven The Piano Sonatas EX+

$

26

UK original DECCA NB 2LP Box. Bernard Haitink conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in Shostakovich 7th Symphony "Leningrad". With booklet.
Records are EX+! Box is VG! Really great with some corner wear (see images).

Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas – Performed by Wilhelm Backhaus – Decca Original 10-LP Box Set SXLA 6452-61 (UK First Pressing, NB Label)

This Decca SXLA 6452-61 original 10-LP box set features the legendary pianist Wilhelm Backhaus performing the complete piano sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven. Regarded as one of the finest interpreters of Beethoven's works, Backhaus’s recordings are celebrated for their technical brilliance, structural clarity, and profound musical insight. This rare UK first pressing, with its Narrow band labels, is a collector’s treasure, offering exceptional sound quality and historical significance.

About the Artist

• Wilhelm Backhaus (1884–1969) was a German pianist known for his commanding technique and thoughtful interpretations. His Beethoven cycle stands as one of the earliest and most influential complete recordings of the sonatas, blending technical precision with a deep understanding of Beethoven’s emotional and structural complexities.

Album Details

• Label: Decca Records (UK)
• Catalog Number: SXLA 6452-61
• Format: 10 × Vinyl LP, Stereo, Box Set
• Country: United Kingdom
• Edition: Original UK Pressing, (NB) Labels
• Condition: Excellent Plus (EX+) – The vinyl are in outstanding condition, with minimal signs of wear. LPs are clean with only minor handling marks, and the original box and booklet are well-preserved.

Content Overview

This box set includes all 32 piano sonatas by Beethoven, spanning the full range of his compositional development. Highlights include:

• Early Period:

  • Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 "Pathétique": Famous for its dramatic opening and lyrical second movement.
  • Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, Op. 7: A large-scale, ambitious work reflecting Beethoven's early brilliance.

• Middle Period:

  • Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 "Waldstein": A vibrant and heroic masterpiece.
  • Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata": One of Beethoven’s most fiery and emotionally intense works.

• Late Period:

  • Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier": A monumental and technically demanding composition.
  • Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: Beethoven’s final sonata, characterized by its spiritual depth and innovative structure.

Backhaus’s interpretations are marked by their fidelity to Beethoven’s score, with an emphasis on clarity, tempo, and the architectural grandeur of each sonata.

Why This Set is Special

1. Historical Significance: Backhaus’s Beethoven cycle is among the earliest complete recordings, influencing subsequent generations of pianists.
2. Superb Sound Quality: The original Decca pressings are known for their warmth, balance, and dynamic range, capturing the full tonal palette of Backhaus’s piano.
3. Collectible Rarity: First-edition sets in excellent plus (EX+) condition are highly sought after by collectors for their historical and artistic value.

Sound Quality

• Audio Fidelity: The Decca SXLA series delivers exceptional stereo sound, with a detailed, spacious soundstage that brings out the nuances of Backhaus’s playing.
• Pressing Quality: The wideband grooved labels are associated with Decca’s finest early stereo pressings, prized for their superior sonic characteristics.

Condition

• Vinyl: Rated EX+, with clean surfaces and minimal signs of handling. The audio playback is clear, with no significant distortion or surface noise.
• Box and Inserts: The original box is in very good condition, with cornerwear and minor shelf wear. Original booklet is included and well-preserved.

Conclusion

The Decca SXLA 6452-61 UK Original 10-LP Box Set of Wilhelm Backhaus’s recordings of Beethoven’s complete piano sonatas is a cornerstone of any classical vinyl collection. Combining Backhaus’s authoritative interpretations with Decca’s legendary sound quality, this set offers an unparalleled listening experience. Its rarity, especially in EX+ condition, makes it a valuable acquisition for collectors and a deeply rewarding experience for lovers of Beethoven’s piano music.

Record Grading I use the following grades: M/M- Only for still sealed or certain unplayed records NM    Should look very close to unplayed EX+   With very few signs of use EX     Some light signs of use but nothing that should affect the    listening experience VG+   A really nice LP with some signs of use and the can be the odd light click, but nothing major at all VG    There are clear signs of use and there can be some recurring clicks and crackles, but not continously.  G       There are many marks and lines and you should expect that the listening experience will be hampered. But still playable. + and - are used for nuances. P/F    Very rarely used. Only very rare records will be listed in this condition
Shipping If you win more than one of my auctions, I will of course pack it together and you will get the actual shipping cost from Sweden to the world.
Worldwide shipping rates (note that boxes counts as the number of records in the box): 1-2 LPs €18 3-5 Lps €25 6-8 Lps €30 7+ Lps €40
I have many listings, most from one collection in great condition. Most are in top condition. Decca SXL and LXT, Columbia SAX and 33CX, HMV His Master's Voice ASD and ALP, Deutsche Grammophon DGG, Philips Hi-Fi Hifi, Westminster, Proprius, MFSL Mobile Fidelity, and many more.