Makanowitzky: Beethoven "Kreutzer" Violin Sonata - Lumen LD-2-355-S (10" LP)

$

50

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This very rare 10" LP from Lumen (LD-2-355-S, French pressing, blue label, mono – no stereo edition exists) features Paul Makanowitzki and Noël's superlative account of Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major Op. 47 "Kreutzer", from their complete cycle of the 10 Beethoven Violin Sonatas recorded in Paris during the years 1955/1956.

There have been fine traversals by the likes of Oistrakh, Menuhin, Szeryng, Stern, and Perlman, but Makanowitzky brings a marvelous purity of playing to this repertoire, his cycle touched by a wisdom and humanity, allied to a brilliant technique and penetrating musicianship.

Producer and engineer André Charlin afforded the veteran duo with uncommonly fine sound, the violin perfectly distanced from the microphone and its balance with the piano in optimum measure.  Unlike so many collaborations captured on disc, this is one of equals, with Lee consistently matching Makanowitzky in imagination. Indeed, he proves himself fully equal to Makanowitzky’s artistry throughout all ten sonatas – an inspired musical partnership that was a model of its kind.

On the website of the superb historical label Doremi, which recently issued the complete cycle on CD, one can find this biographical sketch of Makanowitzky:

"Born in Stockholm to Russian parents on 20 June 1920, Paul Makanowitzky began violin studies at age four as a pupil of Ivan Galamian - who taught at the Russian Conservatory in Paris from 1924 to 1937 - and with Jacques Thibaud. Makanowitzky's recital début in 1929 in Salle Gaveau, Paris, astonished the music world. Critics wrote that 'the public expected a well-rehearsed puppet, and discovered a true musician.' He was dubbed a prodigy among prodigies. What was most striking in the plethora of praise that followed his appearances throughout Europe were phrases rarely associated with child performers: 'stupefying authority', 'remarkable elegance', 'sensitivity', 'authority', 'purity of style.' Makanowitzky made his New York début in 1937. In 1942, still a Swedish subject, Makanowitzky volunteered, to the consternation of his managers and Galamian, to fight for America in World War II. At war's end, Makanowitzky returned to the violin, rebuilding his career as a soloist and was soon engaged by USA leading orchestras under Pierre Monteux, Paul Paray, Vladimir Golschmann and Serge Koussevitzky among others. In 1954, Makanowitzky met Noël Lee. As a duo they concertized extensively between 1954 and 1964. The Boston Herald's P. C. Brooks praised them as ' the best ensemble playing to be found anywhere in the world.' The duo recorded all the Bach, Beethoven and Brahms violin & piano sonatas. In 1966, Makanowitzky accepted teaching posts at the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute and the Meadowmount School of Music. He was also a visiting professor at Brandeis University, Toho-Gaukuen in Tokyo and the Royal Conservatory in Toronto. He retired from performing in 1967 and joined the strings faculty of the University of Michigan where he served until 1983. He died on 24 February, 1998 in Freeport, Maine."

The reverse side of the jacket carries very insightful liner notes penned by no less than Nadia Boulanger – printed in French only. The striking cover design is uncredited.

CONDITION – PLEASE READ 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 edgewear, light ringwear, creasing, and discoloration, more so to the rear panel. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, owners' markings, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, and presentation worthy – overall, a very good collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Though there is occasional light surface noise, in general the playback remains quite fine. However, those wanting a flawless or near-MINT copy 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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