Janos Starker: Bach 6 Suites for Solo Cello – Mercury SR3-9016 (3LP box set)

$

1,295

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful and now increasingly rare 3LP box set – this is the original Mercury release and not the Speakers Corner reissue – from Mercury (SR3-9016, US pressings, plum/silver labels – matrix numbers below, stereo) features Janos Starker's masterly traversal of Bach's Six Suites for Solo Cello BWV 1007-1012, warmly recorded in Ballroom Studio A, Fine Recording, New York during 1963 and 1965, produced by Harold Lawrence and engineered by Robert Eberenz.

 

Disc 1

Suite No. 1 in G Major BWV 1007 – rec. 7 September 1965

Matrix: SR-90445A-RFR-3

 

Suite No. 2 in D minor BWV 1008 – rec. 15 April 1963

Matrix: SR-90445B-RFR-1

 

Disc 2

Suite No. 3 in C Major BWV 1009 – rec. 21/22 December 1965

Matrix: SR-90446A-RFR-2

 

Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major BWV 1010 – rec. 21/22 December 1965

Matrix: SR-90446B-RFR-2

 

Disc 3

Suite No. 5 in C minor BWV 1011 – 24:46 – rec. 15 & 17 April 1963

Matrix: SR-90447A-RFR-2

 

Suite No. 6 in D Major BWV 1012 – 27:00 – rec. 7/8 September 1965

Matrix: SR-90447B-RFR-2

 

From a technical standpoint, Starker is almost unrivaled in his mastery of these scores. Happily, his technical fluency is outshone only by his probing musicianship. Starker has recorded these works on five separate occasions – this Mercury/Philips set was his third and arguably the highwater mark of his remarkable achievement in these works.

 

Included is the 4-page booklet with liner notes by Peter G. Davis. The photographs throughout are by Mary Morris.

 

CONDITION – PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY:

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

 

The condition of the box is NM. ***Note: The box top is not attached to the bottom, but this appears to be by design – there are no tears or indications of a missing piece. Both the top and bottom are in excellent condition along the spine.

 

There are no corner breaks, seam splits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the box remains solid, bright, very attractive – overall, this rates as a very nice collector’s copy.

 

The condition of the booklet is VG. The last page contains movement timings written in pen by a former owner and a few other notations. The other pages are free of markings. The booklet does show a light crease along the bottom and betrays some handling, but is perfectly intact.

 

The condition of the 3 LPs is near-MINT throughout. There are some brief passages in the Suite No. 2 where the surfaces are not absolutely silent, and there are perhaps 2-4 tic-like sounds, but that is all. Visually, all 3 LPs show some light non-sounding marks, hairlines and paper rubs to the vinyl, as well as some light spindle trails, but that is all. They seem to have been lightly played and well cared for. But I have no hesitation in describing them as NM. Overall, these rate as truly fine collector's copies.

 

If you must have absolutely flawless surfaces, then please do not buy this set. Overall, this rates as a superb collector's copy.

PLEASE NOTE:
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!

PAYMENT:
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SHIPPING:
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REFUNDS:
Returns are honored, and any buyer you makes a return will be refunded in full. Please let me know before making a return.

Please see my other classical LP and CD listings, and feel free to write with any questions, I'll be glad to help. ------------------------------------------------------------------
USA Buyers: shipping delays from Spain (where I am) to the USA are extreme due to the current situation.
I apologize for the inconvenience, but I am advising USA buyers not to purchase from me at this time. Commercial shipping (e.g., UPS, DHL) is a possibility, but these are quite expensive and any such costs must be borne entirely by the buyer.
Please write with any questions, I will be happy to help.  - Posted 19 May 2020