Karajan/Philh: Ballet Music from the Operas: Columbia SAXQ 7344 (ED1), lovely LP

$

30

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful LP – note the striking cover art – from Italian Columbia (SAXQ 7344, Italian pressing, blue/silver label – ED1, laminated flipback jacket, stereo) features Herbert von Karajan and the Philharmonia Orchestra’s in a selection of ballet music from various operas.

All works were taped in the fabled acoustics of London’s Kingsway Hall in September 1960 and sound absolutely superb here – warm, but full of detail. This is Karajan at his most charismatic, with the Philharmonia on sweeping, glittering form – truly outstanding!

The exact contents are as follows:

Giuseppe Verdi: Ballet Music from Act II of Aida

Modest Mussorgsky (arr. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov): Dance of the Persian Maidens from Khovantchina

Alexander Borodin (arr. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov / Alexander Glazunov): Polovtsian Dances from Priince Igor

Amilcare Ponchielli: Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda

Richard Wagner: Venusberg Music from Tannhauser

In reviewing a “Karajan Collection” EMI CD re-issue that included the Borodin, the erudite critic Robert McColley wrote for Fanfare:

“This disc should appeal to anyone who enjoys a program of light classics. Though recorded 45 years ago—with two selections slightly older­—it reminds us how near to perfection Walter Legge’s Philharmonia Orchestra could be in the ideal acoustics of Kingsway Hall. This was also the last of Herbert von Karajan’s collaborations with that handpicked English orchestra. Besides making for delightful listening, the disc has a certain historic importance. The performances would achieve total perfection if a chorus had joined in the Polovtsian Dances of Borodin, but of course this version makes a fine effect doing without. Karajan’s performances strike a nice balance between discipline and expression, always suffused with the high spirits of most of this music. As implied above, the early stereo recording lets one hear everything that is going on in sound that combines warmth, sparkle, and a just representation of instrumental character. A feast for the ears!”

There are fine liner notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket, provided in Italian only. The lovely cover art carries the artst’s signature, but I cannot make it out.

CONDITION:

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

The condition of the jacket is EXCELLENT. There is mild discoloration and again, but that is all. Really, this is close to NM. There are no seamsplits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive attractive – an excellent collector’s copy.

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Although the surfaces are not absolutely silent, really this is a fine copy and playback is superb, close to NM. Those requiring a flawless or near-MINT copy are advised to look elsewhere. Overall, this is an excellent collector's copy.

PLEASE NOTE:
This LP has been carefully cleaned using a VPI cleaning machine. 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!

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