Kraus: Mozart Piano Sonatas K 281, K 283, Fantasy K 475 - Epic BC 1382, rare

$

64

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This lovely and rare LP from Epic (BC 1382, US pressing, blue label, stereo) features Vol. 1 in Lili Kraus’s Mozart Piano Sonata cycle, perhaps less celebrated than her Haydn Society survey made some 15 years before, but – in fact – scarcely less fine and better recorded.

Made at Columbia 30th Street Studios on 27 October 1967, this album was produced by Steven E. Paul and engineered by Fred Plaut and John Johnson. These recordings were made on the heels of Lili Kraus’s historic Mozart Piano Sonata cycle at Hunter College in New York City and there is an introduction by producer Steven E. Paul on the reverse side of the jacket.

The exact contents are as follows:

Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 3 in B-flat Major K. 281

Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 5 in G Major K. 283

Mozart: Fantasia in C minor K. 475

Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor K. 457

Of the complete cycle on Epic, re-issued by Sony Classical on CD, the wonderful critic Jed Distler wrote for ClassicsToday:

“These 1967/68 recordings are not to be confused with the earlier Mozart cycle Lili Kraus made for the Haydn Society and recently reissued by Music & Arts. Close microphone placement yielded a bright, slightly flinty sonority that I remember from CBS/Odyssey's vinyl incarnation. Although I have not heard Sony's earlier CD reissue, the present edition's warmer, more rounded equalization unmasks subtleties of touch and nuance that showcase Kraus' pianism in more flattering, colorful light than before. In contrast to Joyce Hatto's operatic cultivation, Walter Gieseking's classical poise, and András Schiff's ornamental flair, Kraus is all passion and drama. An expressionist aesthetic governs her boldly contrasted dynamics, hard-hitting accents, and faster-than-common slow movements, along with angular phrasings and pedal effects that underline harmonic felicities and underplay barlines.

 
This approach best suits darker, more serious pieces such as the C minor Fantasy/Sonata K. 475/457 and the A minor K. 310 sonata. Similarly, Kraus' gaunt, stinging way with K. 331's famous first-movement variations and concluding Rondo Alla Turca liberates the music from decade's worth of interpretive cotton candy.

Perhaps the early sonatas, the bubbly D major Rondo, and "easy" C major K. 545 lack surface charm and elegance, largely due to Kraus' tendency to "think ahead" and push rapid passages slightly ahead of the beat (a habit of her one-time teacher Artur Schnabel), yet her nervous energy always enlivens rather than obliterates Mozart's intentions. I only wish that Kraus also had recorded the wonderful F major Sonata K. 533/494. It's good to have these invigorating, often provocative performances available again.”

There are superlative liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Kur Oppens, printed in English only. The engaging cover photo and jacket design is by Michael Mendel.

CONDITION:

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

The condition of the jacket, still largely in the original shrinkwrap, is near-MINT. There is mild discoloration on the rear panel along the open edge, but that is all. Otherwise, the album appears almost as new. There are no owners' markings, seamsplits, bends, or other defects, and the whole remains solid, bright, and highly attractive – a very fine collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Although the surfaces are not absolutely silent, this is a fine copy and the playback is quite superb. Those requiring flawless or NM surfaces are kindly advised to look elsewhere. Overall, this rates as 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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