Oistrakh/Oborin: Beethoven 10 Violin Sonatas - Philips 6768 036 (4-LP box), NM

$

65

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This handsome 4-LP box set from Philips (6768 036, Dutch pressings, blue/white label, stereo, booklet included) features David Oistrakh’s peerless readings of the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas, recorded with long-time collaborator, pianist Lev Oborin – recorded in the warm acoustics of Le Chant du Monde studios, Paris during May/June 1962, a landmark cycle even 50 years later.

There have been fine traversals by the likes of Menuhin, Szeryng, Stern, and Perlman, but Oistrakh brings a marvelous purity of playing to this repertoire, his cycle touched by a wisdom and humanity, allied to a brilliant technique, that sets him apart from nearly all others.

The Dutch engineers 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 Oborin consistently matching Oistrakh in imagination. Indeed, not unlike Eugene Istomin, Oborin 

was at his finest in chamber music and remains fully equal to Oistrakh’s artistry throughout all ten sonatas – an inspired musical partnership that was a model of its kind.

Thus, included are all 10 of Beethoven's Violin Sonatas:

No. 1 in D Major Op. 12 No. 1

No. 2 in A Major Op. 12 No. 2

No. 3 in E-flat Major Op. 12 No. 3

No. 4 in A minor Op. 23

No. 5 in F Major Op. 24 'Spring'

No. 6 in A Major Op. 30 No. 1

No. 7 in C minor Op. 30 No. 2

No. 8 in G Major Op. 30 No. 3

No. 9 in A Major Op. 47 'Kreutzer'

No. 10 in G Major Op. 96

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Wrote the erudite critic Michael Jameson for ClassicsToday:

“With the return of these stereo recordings by David Oistrakh and Lev Oborin (made in Paris in 1962), many collectors will find an automatic first choice. This new Philips set presents these accounts in fine digital transfers and has the benefit of having all 10 sonatas placed sequentially across four CDs. The performances are exceptionally fine, sometimes not as dramatic as Schneiderhan's (DG), it's true, but always intensely musical and natural. For example, compare Oistrakh's reading of the darkly urgent C minor work (Op. 30 No. 2) with Schneiderhan's and you'll find an altogether more comfortable ride, without the sometimes fussy dramatic overlay. That owes something to Oborin's greater restraint, an impression also bolstered by the aural perspective of the recordings in which the players are positioned considerably apart, with violin to the left and piano to the right. Okay, it's not really ideal, and some listeners will find this extreme balance annoying, but it's a small price to pay considering the caliber of these performances.

 
“In the epic "Kreutzer" sonata Oistrakh plays majestically and thoughtfully, the slow movement being beautifully inflected without losing its tight rhythmic control. On balance Oistrakh probably comes closest to Grumiaux's style of playing, with its tonal purity and dignity, though the iron-fisted austerity of Schneiderhan's DG performances remains impressive. What you don't need in Beethoven, however, is the inflammatory but often clumsy rhetoric that Szeryng sometimes produced, and in this regard Oistrakh can't be faulted, for these are readings of the highest sophistication. Finally, there are also very special qualities in Oistrakh and Oborin's classically concise readings of the earlier sonatas, particularly the three Op. 12 works and the Op. 30 group. What you'll find here is a duo that devotes minute attentiveness to every passing detail, along the way conveying a powerful feeling of joyfulness and discovery. This is essential listening, and not just for violin devotees: this set belongs in everyone's collection!”

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As much a tribute to Oistrakh as to Beethoven, this beautiful set remains a great rarity.

Included is a full-size 12-page booklet with extensive liner notes (uncredited), as well as two striking black and photos of Oistrakh. All texts are in German and English only. The striking cover photo of Oistrakh on the box front is uncredited.

Incidentally, for these sessions, Oistrakh played his 1702 Stradivarius 'La Fontana'.

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 box is near-MINT. Really there are no flaws to speak of and the box appears virtually as new. There are no corners breaks, seamsplits, owners’ markings, bends, or other defects, and the whole remains extremely solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, an outstanding collector's copy.

The condition of the 12-page booklet is EXCELLENT. It shows light handling, but that is all.

The condition of the 4 LP is near-MINT throughout and playback is superb in all 4 – overall, these rate as truly fine 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!

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