Lili Kraus: Mozart Piano Sonatas & Vars: Haydn Society HS-9013/9044/9056 - 3 LPs

$

80

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

With these 3 LPs – fine collector’s copies all – from Haydn Society Records (HS-9013 / 9044 / 9055, US pressings, green labels, mono – no stereo editions exist) one can collect a good portion of pianist Lili Kraus’s remarkable 1950s survey of Mozart’s complete music for piano solo, originally made for Les Discophiles Français. This is playing of the very highest quality and her Mozart cycle remains a landmark in the the composer’s discography.

The exact contents are as follows, all works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

HS-9013

Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major K. 282

Piano Sonata No. 5 in G Major K. 283

Piano Sonata No. 10 in C Major K. 330

Variations in F Major on “Salve tu Domine” from Giovanni Paisiello’s I filosofi immaginarii K. 398

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HS-9044

Piano Sonata No. 12 in F Major K. 332

Piano Sonata No. 18 in D Major K. 576

Fantasia in C minor K. 396

8 Variations in A Major on “Come un agnello” from Giuseppi Sarti’s Fra i due litiganti il terzo gode K. 460

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HS-9056

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor K. 457

Piano Sonata No. 6 in D Major K. 284

Fantasia in C minor K. 475

Of Music & Arts 5-CD re-issue of these remarkable performances, the erudite and eloquent critic Colin Clarke wrote for Fanfare:

“This is special. Music & Arts has done the public at large a great service in reissuing Lili Kraus’s 1954 Haydn Society recordings of Mozart’s solo keyboard works (priced at five discs for the price of four). The first four discs cover all of the piano sonatas plus the C-Minor Fantasia, K 475 (which is traditionally located before the C-Minor Sonata, K 457); the final disc presents a selection of Mozart’s wonderful variations, plus some smaller pieces.

“Famously, Budapest-born Kraus studied with both Kodály and Bartók before moving to Vienna, where she eventually became a professor (1925–31). The present release represents her first traversal of Mozart’s keyboard output (there is a second traversal for Columbia) and is a source of continual delight from start to finish.

“The early sonatas are simply magnificent. Kraus treats them as already polished masterpieces. There is no hint of technical difficulties getting in the way—contrast her easy way with the heavily ornamented first movement of K 279 (expert, crisp articulation) with that of the rather more clumsy Martino Tirimo in his account as part of his recent cycle (Regis 1253). Kraus links the piece to opera buffa (especially the acciaccaturas). She treats the spare textures of the Andante (so close to Haydn’s textural preferences in his keyboard slow movements) unapologetically, so the music emerges as a deeper statement than one might imagine. The final chords are exquisitely weighted. The rhythmic shifts of the finale emerge as wonderfully playful—her pearly articulation is once more a delight. Let me reassure you I have no intention of itemizing every single sonata here. The point is that this first sonata contains in essence everything that makes Kraus’s playing so special. Her unfailing musicality extends to all of the works in this set, great or small. Some listeners might find her slow movements a little too slow (Kraus distinguishes clearly between Andante and Adagio), but they are always sustained by the most lovely legato. Indeed, lines frequently tend toward the bel canto—her cantabile truly sings.

“Interesting that a Claudio Arrau telecast of K 311 has recently appeared on a Video Artists International DVD (4388). Kraus has identifiably more energy in the first movement; both advocate slow Andantes (Mozart did qualify it—Andante cantabile con espressione). Kraus lavishes a huge amount of affection on the famous K 331, finding exquisite balance and poise. The later sonatas are simply marvelous. Kraus fully reveals their stature while retaining each one’s individual sound. So, the first movement of K 570 is the epitome of gentility while the first movement of the C Minor, K 457, is appropriately resolute (“appropriately,” because it is preceded by the beautiful and almost orchestrally conceived C-Minor Fantasy, K 475). The last three sonatas are replete with masterful touches that appear under the umbrella of a magnificent, all-encompassing serenity.

“Of modern players, Mitsuko Uchida sometimes comes to mind when listening to these performances, except that Uchida can err on the side of the over-careful, even the prissy. Where Uchida can be over-reverential, Kraus is a sort of channel through which Mozart’s music can flow. Maria Pires, too, has over the years proved herself a supreme Mozartian. But overall, as a reference set, it is the one by Kraus that wins out.

“A special welcome to the final disc, which comprises variations and smaller pieces. Kraus lavishes just as much care on these delightful works as she does on the meatier sonatas, resulting in nearly 80 minutes of pure delight. The famous Adagio, K 540, is sublime. There is no other word—listen to the way Kraus pedals just after the six-minute mark, achieving just the right amount of blur.

“Detailed booklet notes by colleague Bernard Jacobson guide the listener through Mozart’s keyboard output as well as providing a sensitive biography of the pianist. Transfers are of the highest standard.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each jacket carries informative liner notes on the respective piano works by Paul Nettl, printed in English only. The striking cover art for each album was executed by Stubis.

CONDITION:

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

The condition of the 3 jackets is EXCELLENT throughout. The only real flaw concerns a small catalog sticker taped the upper spine of each album. HS-9056 has a 1” crack (not a true split) to the lower seam, but that is all. There are no owners' markings, seamsplits, bends, or other defects, and the albums remain solid, bright, and highly attractive – overall, these rate as excellent collector’s copies.

The condition of the 3 LPs EXCELLENT throughout. Visually, there are rubs, papers sleeve and other non-sounding marks. In terms of sound, although the surfaces are not perfectly silent, these are fine copies and playback is superb, close to NM. Those wanting flawless LPs are advised to look elsewhere. Overall, these rate as truly excellent collector's copies.

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!

PAYMENT:
Payment by PayPal is greatly preferred. Payment should be made within 5 days.

SHIPPING:
Shipping is free to anywhere in the world; this is true regardless of the number of LPs you buy, be it 1 or a 100. All LPs will be sent via standard airmail (7-10 days delivery). Note: There is no tracking number provided with standard airmail. Should you wish to have your item(s) sent via certified airmail (i.e., with a tracking number), please contact me.

FEEDBACK:
I will promptly leave feedback for all buyers. Please do not leave negative, or even neutral, feedback without first giving me an opportunity to resolve any dissatisfaction you might have with an item or transaction. I do understand that, on occasion, a buyer might believe the item description to be inaccurate or that a buyer may be disappointed in some other way regarding the sale. I promise I will do my very best to resolve any unhappiness you've experienced in your buying experience with me to your complete satisfaction. Thank you.

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

Please see my other classical LP and CD auctions, and feel free to write with any questions, I'll be glad to help.