Karajan/BPO: Ovs by Wagner, Weber, Nicolai, etc. - Columbia SAX 2439 (b/s ED1)

$

90

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This outstanding and rare LP from Columbia (SAX 2439, English EMI pressing, blue/silver label – ED1, stereo, original inner sleeve included) features Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic in a program of overtures by Weber, Wagner, Nicolai, and Mendelssohn.

 

All works were recorded in September 1960, except for Nicolai’s Die lustige Weiber von Windsor Overture, which was set down in November 1960. The venue for all 5 works was the Grünewaldkirche, Berlin.

 

The exact contents are as follows:

 

Carl Maria von Weber: Overture to Der Freischütz

 

Richard Wagner: Overture to Der Fliegende Holländer

 

Richard Wagner: Prelude to Act I of Lohengrin

 

Otto Nicolai: Overture to The Merry Wives of Windsor

 

Felix Mendelssohn: “The Hebrides” Overture Op. 26 (“Fingal’s Cave”)

 

Of the EMI Eminence re-issue of these performances (EMX4120521), the critic R.F. wrote in his review for the June 1984 issue of The Gramophone: “The wide dynamics and the exciting precision with which the violins play their quick quavers help to make the Weber overture especially successful, and Der fliegende Hollander is also rousing and remarkably clear in texture, though the brass are a little too strident for my taste, Karajan keeps the Lohengrin Prelude moving and draws some lovely playing from his violins, but I did not care for the numerous changes of tempo in the Hebrides Overture—rather slow at the start, much too slow for the second subject and pretty brisk everywhere else; such changes should not be so extreme that the listener is taken aback by them. I noticed some background 'mush' on the cassette at the start of Der Freischutz: (for about 20 bars) but otherwise the sound quality seemed a little less dated than on the LP.”

 

Incidentally, the striking cover photo of Karajan, on atypically unguarded form, shows the conductor in rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl with the eponymous orchestra. There are superb liner notes, provided in English only, on the reverse side of the jacket by Mosco Carner.

 

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 jacket is VERY GOOD. There is bumping and discoloration at corners, as well as edgewear, more so to the rear panel, and some stray dings to the jacket. However, there are no seamsplits, owners' markings, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and quite attractive – overall, a very good collector's copy.

 

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Although the surfaces are not absolutely silent, really this is a very fine copy and the playback is superb. Those requiring CD silent surfaces are kindly advised to look elsewhere. Overall, this rates as an excellent collector's copy.

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