Szeryng: "Devi's Trill" Sonata + Violin Encores (r. 1959) - French RCA 630.568

$

25

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful and rare LP from French RCA (630.568, French pressing, red/silver label, mono, laminated flipback jacket) entitled “Récital Henryk Szeryng” features the great violinist in a mixed program of encore works, though with Tartini’s “Devil’s Trill” Sonata as its larger-scaled centerpiece, all recorded with pianist Charles on 15-17 January 17 March 1959.

The exact contents are as follows:

Side 1

Tommaso Antonio Vitali (arr. Leopold Charlier): Chaconne in G minor

Giuseppe Tartini (arr. Fritz Kreisler): Sonata for Violin and Basso Continuo in G minor Op. 1 No. 4 “Devil’s Trill”

Side 2

Giuseppe Tartini (arr. Zino Francescatti): L'arte del arco: 38 Variations on a Gavotte from Corelli's Op. 5

Christoph W. Gluck (arr. Fritz Kreisler): Melodie (“Dance of the Blessed Spirits”) from Orfeo ed Euridice

Fritz Kreisler: Allegretto in the Style of Boccherini

Robert Schumann (arr. Jascha Heifetz): Vogel als Prophet, No. 7 from Waldszenen Op. 82

Ernesto Halffter (arr. Jascha Heifetz): Danza de la gitana

Henri Wieniawski: Scherzo-Tarantelle in G minor Op. 16

Wrote the critic D.S. in his review for the May 1961 issue of The Gramophone:

“Hemyk Szeryng in Recital—to quote the American title verbatim—was bound to come. It is, by and large, as pleasant a recital as it can be within self-imposed limits, and both mono and stereo offer good, noise-free pressings. Szeryng's technique is not unlike the cool, clear kind of equipment Heifetz rejoiced in twenty-five years ago. But there is this difference: Szeryng has a wider emotional range than Heifetz possessed at that time, largely due to a remarkably expressive left hand. He can change the timbre of a note half-way through if it suits the desired musical ends, and often picturesquely develops coloured timbre from white, drawing the listener's attention to the shape of a phrase or climax of a line.

“The finest performance on this record is the Vitali Chaconne. This work is too often looked upon as a warmer-upper for a recital on a wet Saturday afternoon in November, and some of the performances one hears reflect just this kind of lugubrious approach. Szeryng's interpretation has a noble breadth about it that compels respect and carries the listener's interest relentlessly onward through the chain of variations until the final re-statement of the theme. As a matter of interest, the arrangement that Szeryng uses is by Leopold Charlier, a free but impressive version that makes considerable technical demands on the player. The sleeve-note talks amiably about David's version in the Hohe Schule des Violinspiels, which is completely different in every way. Since all the other arrangers are duly credited, either in the notes or in the programme, it is a pity that Charlier's name should have been omitted.

“Fine too is the Kreisler arrangement, though I still find the cadenza rather tiresome. Among the shorter pieces, the Schumann piece (muted) provides welcome relief from fireworks, as does the Gluck Melodie. Charles Reiner is an efficient and musical partner.”

Incidentally, there are fine liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket, printed in French only, by Serge Berthoumieux. The striking cover photo of Szeryng is uncredited.

CONDITION – PLEASE READ VERY 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 GOOD. There is wear along the spine and open edge of the jacket, creasing, and ringwear / discoloration to the rear panel. However, there are no bends, seamsplits, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the jacket remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, a very good collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Though the surfaces are not perfectly 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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