Michelangeli: Chaconne + Paganini Vars - La Voce del Padrone QBLP 1044 (10")

$

20

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This handsome 10" LP from Italian HMV / La Voce del Padrone (QBLP 1044, Italian pressing, red/silver semi-circle label – ED1, mono – no stereo edition exists) features Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli's legendary accounts of the Bach/Busoni Chaconne BWV 1004* and Brahms's Paganini Variations Op. 35, both recorded at EMI Studio No. 3, Abbey Road, London, on 26 and 27* October 1948.

In his hands, the Bach/Busoni Chaconne is a sweeping journey from darkness to light, and the virtuosity throughout the Paganini Variations is nothing short of stupendous, the sheer accuracy of his playing alone a thing of wonder – a remarkable LP.

Of an EMI "Great Recordings of the Century" CD re-issue containing these performances, the wonderful critic Peter J. Rabinowitz wrote for Fanfare:

"The Bach, recorded in 1948, is...a superb performance notable not only for its staggering digital control (few other pianists can offer this level of detail and precision), but also for its wide-ranging color and touch (from steel to soufflé) and for its often shocking (but always compelling) bending of the tempos. The Brahms (recorded, also in 1948, with Michelangeli’s own excisions and re-orderings) is similarly impressive as it leaps effortlessly from the hard-boiled to the feathery. Both performances, even when the rubato is extreme, have a kind of forward momentum entirely absent from Carnaval".

There are insightful liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Jean Hamon, provided in Italian only. The striking cover design was executed by the great Bruno Munari.

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 VERY GOOD. There is a 1 ½" split to the lower edge, as well as some corner wear. However, there are no owners' markings, bends, or other defects and the whole remains very solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, a very good collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Although the surfaces are not perfectly silent, really this is a fine copy and playback is superb, close to NM. If you must have a flawless or NM copy, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, 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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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.