Reiner/CSO: R. Strauss Ein Heldenleben (rec. 1954): RCA VICS-1042 (1S/1S)

$

20

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This superlative LP – with 1S/1S stampers – from RCA (VICS-1042, US pressing, plum/silver label, stereo) features Fritz Reiner’s brilliant account of Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben Op. 40, recorded in the rich acoustics of Orchestra Hall, Chicago on 6 March 1954 with the mighty Chicago Symphony Orchestra on resplendent form.

Incidentally, the charismatic violin soloist heard throughout is CSO Concertmaster John Weicher.

The exact track list is as follows:

Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40

43:39

The Hero

4:18

The Hero's adversaries

3:04

The Hero's companion

11:57

The Hero's battlefield

8:45

The Hero's works of peace

4:39

The Hero's retreat from the world of fulfillment

10:54

With Karajan and Kempe, Reiner was among the undisputed masters of Strauss’ music during the last century and this amazing performance explains why – a gramophone classic. Incidentally, the solo violinist is CSO Concermaster John Weicher and the horn soloist CSO Principal Philip Farkas. The sound is superb, warm and spacious.

In reviewing an RCA box of Reiner’s Richard Strauss recordings, the wonderful author and critic David Hurwitz wrote for ClassicsToday:

“OK, so we all know why this set is just about unbeatable both technically and for the idiomatic stylishness of Reiner’s conducting. If you haven’t heard it yet, let me sum it up for you in one note. The attached sound sample consists of the opening of Ein Heldenleben. Just listen to that initial E-flat. Got it? No other performance builds into a single note such resonance, energy, and vitality, and the rest of these performances live up to that promise. Like Kempe, Reiner understands that the music needs to move swiftly, lightly, and transparently. Although as humorless an artist as ever lived (except when he was sadistically torturing his players), Reiner knew not to take Strauss’ programs too seriously, focusing instead on securing playing of transcendent virtuosity, amazingly well engineered for its day–or ours. And that is the whole story.”

The striking cover art reproduces a detail from Salvatore Rosa’s “Soldier Seated, in Helmet, Holding a Cane”, while the fine liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket are uncredited.

This album was produced by Richard Mohr and engineered by Lewis Layton.

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 some edgewear, more so to the lower edge and at corners, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, bends, scuffs, or owners' markings. The fine laminate finish is perfectly intact and the album remains solid, bright, and glossy – overall, a handsome collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Although surfaces are not absolutely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT) this is a fine copy and playback is superb. If you must have perfect surfaces, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, this rates as a NM 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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