HMV ASD 327-328 UK Orig ED1 W/C Yehudi Menuhin Bach Brandenburg Concertos EX+
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Description
UK original His Master's Voice ED1 White/Cream ASD! 2LP. Yehudi Menuhin performs in Bach's The Brandenburg Concertos.
Records are EX+! Covers are EX+!
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos – HMV UK Orig ED1 W/C ASD 327/328 Featuring Yehudi Menuhin and Bath Festival Orchestra
The HMV UK Original ED1 W/C ASD 327/328 is a two-LP set featuring Yehudi Menuhin conducting Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos with the Bath Festival Orchestra. Released by His Master’s Voice (HMV), this original “White/Gold” label pressing is highly prized for its superb sound quality and historical significance. Menuhin’s interpretation of these iconic concertos is celebrated for its elegance, clarity, and reverence for Bach’s Baroque style, making this set a treasured item among collectors and Baroque music enthusiasts.
About Yehudi Menuhin and the Bath Festival Orchestra
Yehudi Menuhin (1916–1999) was one of the 20th century’s most celebrated violinists and conductors, known for his deep musicality and commitment to exploring different styles and traditions. Menuhin founded the Bath Festival Orchestra in 1959 to perform at the Bath Festival in the UK. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its refined interpretations of Baroque and Classical repertoire, with Menuhin at the helm bringing his unique blend of precision, warmth, and insight.
About Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos
Composed between 1718 and 1721, J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos are a set of six concertos written for various instrumental combinations. These concertos are considered masterpieces of the Baroque period and showcase Bach’s inventiveness and skill in blending complex textures with lyrical themes. Each concerto has its unique character, instrumentation, and structure, reflecting both the variety and unity within Bach’s compositional style.
The Brandenburg Concertos are composed as follows:
- Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046: Known for its use of horns, oboes, and bassoon, this concerto is the most orchestral of the set, featuring a rich, festive sound.
- Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047: Famous for its brilliant trumpet part, this concerto also includes oboe, recorder, and violin, highlighting Bach’s talent for writing vibrant, intricate textures.
- Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048: Scored for three groups of strings, this concerto has an energetic and intricate structure with lively interplay between the sections.
- Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049: Featuring violin and two recorders, this concerto balances virtuosic violin passages with a more pastoral character.
- Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050: Known for its prominent harpsichord part, this concerto includes flute and violin, with a dazzling harpsichord cadenza in the first movement.
- Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major, BWV 1051: The most intimate of the set, scored for violas and violas da gamba, creating a warm and mellow tone.
The LP and Its Significance
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Label and Pressing: This HMV UK Original ED1 W/C ASD 327/328 is the first edition pressing with the coveted “White/Gold” label, known for its superior production quality. Collectors highly value this edition due to its rarity and the pristine sound quality that early HMV pressings are known to deliver. The ASD series, in particular, is celebrated for its clarity and balance, making it ideal for Bach’s intricate instrumental textures.
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Sound Quality: The engineering on this HMV pressing is exceptional, capturing the natural acoustics of the Bath Festival Orchestra’s performance with warmth and clarity. The spacious, balanced sound allows each instrument’s voice to be heard clearly within the ensemble, enhancing the listener’s experience of Bach’s complex counterpoint and harmonic richness. Audiophiles appreciate this pressing for its dynamic range and the fine detail it captures, particularly in Menuhin’s refined orchestral direction.
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Collectibility: As an original “White/Gold” label pressing in the HMV ASD series, this two-LP set is highly collectible. The combination of Menuhin’s distinguished interpretation, the historical importance of the pressing, and the quality of the recording make it a valuable addition to any serious collection of classical vinyl.
Menuhin’s Interpretation
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Elegant and Balanced Approach: Menuhin’s interpretation of the Brandenburg Concertos is marked by its balance and elegance. His direction emphasizes the lyricism of Bach’s melodies, with each instrument section contributing to a cohesive, unified sound. Menuhin’s restrained yet expressive approach respects the Baroque style, allowing Bach’s intricate counterpoint to shine through.
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Refinement and Clarity in Orchestration: Menuhin’s conducting brings out the refinement of the Bath Festival Orchestra, especially in the more delicate concertos like No. 4 and No. 5. His careful attention to dynamics and phrasing creates a clear and articulate interpretation, with each concerto highlighting the distinct instrumental color and character that Bach envisioned.
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Highlighting Soloists with Sensitivity: Menuhin’s approach to the concertos’ solo sections is sensitive and respectful, allowing the soloists to shine without overshadowing the ensemble. In Concerto No. 2, for example, the trumpet solo is both brilliant and integrated within the orchestral texture, while the harpsichord cadenza in Concerto No. 5 is performed with both precision and expressive freedom.
Why This Recording is Special
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Definitive Interpretation: Menuhin’s interpretation of the Brandenburg Concertos is considered one of the definitive readings of these works. His balance of technical precision and expressive insight, paired with the Bath Festival Orchestra’s skillful playing, makes this recording a benchmark for Bach’s concertos.
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Historical and Artistic Significance: The original “White/Gold” label pressing adds significant historical and artistic value to this recording. Menuhin’s legacy, coupled with the ensemble’s authentic approach to Baroque performance, creates a recording that is both artistically rich and historically important.
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Collector’s Appeal: As an original HMV “White/Gold” pressing in the ASD series, this two-LP set is highly collectible. Its rarity, combined with Menuhin’s esteemed performance and the recording’s audiophile quality, makes it a prized possession in the classical vinyl market.
Conclusion
The HMV UK Orig ED1 W/C ASD 327/328 LP set featuring Yehudi Menuhin and the Bath Festival Orchestra performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos is a landmark recording of one of the Baroque period’s most celebrated works. Menuhin’s refined and balanced interpretation, paired with HMV’s high-quality sound production, makes this album a treasured possession for collectors and classical music lovers alike. Its musical excellence, historical significance, and collectible rarity ensure that this recording remains highly sought after in the world of classical vinyl.
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.
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