NEAR MINT PROMO MUSTERPLATTE Chopin Witold Malcuzynski

	€		40
	$		46

EXTREMELY RARE ELECTROLA WHITE-LABEL FACTORY TEST PRESSING
Frédéric Chopin
The Four Ballades
Witold Małcużyński – Piano
Columbia / Electrola – SMC 80 877 Stereo Vinyl LP Germany Factory date stamp: 28 December 1964
An exceptional German Electrola factory test pressing of Witold Małcużyński’s celebrated recording of Chopin’s complete Four Ballades.
This is not the regular commercial Columbia edition. The record carries original plain white factory labels, an Electrola identification sticker and a clearly visible production date stamp from 28 December 1964.
The combination of genuine factory documentation, exceptionally preserved vinyl and the finished commercial cover makes this a highly desirable archival copy for advanced collectors of Chopin, historical pianists, Columbia and German Electrola pressings.
WHITE-LABEL FACTORY TEST PRESSING
Side One carries an original identification sticker reading:
ELECTROLA-GES. M.B.H. KÖLN SMC 80877 Chopin V
The label is additionally stamped:
28. Dez. 1964
The reverse side has a completely plain white factory label without commercial printing.
These characteristics identify the record as a pre-release factory test pressing rather than the standard green Columbia-label edition.
No separate Discogs entry for this white-label test pressing could be located at the time of listing. The regular commercial German edition is catalogued under the same SMC 80 877 catalogue number.
VINYL: TOP NEAR MINT / ARCHIVE QUALITY
The record is preserved in exceptional condition.
Both sides retain an extraordinarily deep, brilliant and mirror-like gloss. The playing surfaces appear almost untouched, with no significant scratches, groove wear or disturbing handling marks.
The vinyl has evidently been treated with remarkable care and presents as a genuine archive-quality copy. Considering its age and special production status, its state of preservation is outstanding.
Since the record has been opened, it is conservatively graded Near Mint rather than Mint.
COVER: TOP NEAR MINT
The finished original German Columbia stereo cover is equally beautifully preserved.
It remains exceptionally clean, glossy, fresh and structurally excellent, with only the most minimal signs of careful archival storage.
The vivid orange, black and white artwork retains a strong visual appearance. The spine, edges and corners are also remarkably well preserved.
For a cover dating from the mid-1960s, its condition could scarcely be better.
PROVENANCE
This remarkable test pressing comes from a meticulously maintained private classical collection.
Its survival together with the beautifully preserved commercial cover strongly suggests that it was retained and stored with exceptional care rather than circulated as an ordinary retail copy.
THE PIANIST
Witold Małcużyński was one of the leading Polish pianists of the twentieth century and became particularly celebrated for his interpretations of Chopin.
He studied at the Warsaw Conservatory with Józef Turczyński and later worked with Marguerite Long, Isidor Philipp and the legendary Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
In 1937, Małcużyński was awarded third prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. He subsequently developed a major international career and appeared in many of the world’s leading concert halls.
His playing belonged to the great Romantic piano tradition: powerful in conception, architecturally controlled and capable of combining poetic expression with considerable dramatic weight.
THE MUSIC
Chopin’s four Ballades occupy a unique position in the piano repertoire. Each is an independent large-scale musical narrative, combining lyrical reflection, dramatic development and formidable technical demands.
Małcużyński approaches these works with structural authority and a distinctly Polish understanding of Chopin’s musical language. His interpretations avoid superficial sentimentality and emphasize the Ballades’ dramatic contrasts, long architectural lines and emotional intensity.
PROGRAMME
SIDE ONE
Frédéric Chopin
Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23
Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38
SIDE TWO
Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major, Op. 47
Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52
Witold Małcużyński – Piano
COLLECTOR’S DETAILS
Composer: Frédéric Chopin Pianist: Witold Małcużyński Title: Spielt Chopin V – Vier Balladen Label: Columbia / Electrola Catalogue number: SMC 80 877 Format: Vinyl LP Recording: Stereo Country: Germany Edition: White-label factory test pressing Factory: Electrola Gesellschaft m.b.H., Cologne Factory date stamp: 28 December 1964
The corresponding commercial pressing is documented with the matrices YLX 1115-1 and YLX 1116-2. Please refer to the photographs and actual runout inscriptions of this test pressing for exact confirmation.
COLLECTOR’S NOTE
White-label factory test pressings were produced in very small working quantities for internal technical evaluation before or around the preparation of the commercial release.
Unlike an ordinary promotional copy, this example carries direct Electrola factory identification and an exact production date. Its plain labels, handwritten title designation and extraordinary state of preservation give it substantial documentary and collector interest.
The combination of a major Chopin interpreter, the complete Four Ballades, genuine Electrola factory markings and superb Near Mint condition makes this a highly distinctive archival item.
Please study all photographs carefully. They show the exact record offered and form an essential part of the description.
The record will be placed in a protective inner sleeve and packed professionally, with the vinyl removed from the cover during transport.
International bidders are welcome.
Combined shipping is available for multiple purchases.