Thibaud: Mozart Concerto K. 219 - Schubert Sonatina D. 408 - LVDSM FJLP 5015

$

85

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This extraordinarily rare and handsome LP from La Voix de son Maitre (FJLP 5015, French pressing, cream label, mono) features the great Jacques Thibaud in a triptych of inimitable, unforgettable performances: Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major K. 219 ‘Turkish’ with Charles Munch conducting the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire (rec. 6 January 1941 at the Studio Albert, Paris); the Mozart/Kreisler Rondo from the ‘Haffner’ Serenade No. 7 in D Major K. 250 with Tasso Janopoulo, piano – rec. 21 March 1936 at the Studio Albert, Paris); and finally the most elusive recording preserved on this disc – this was its sole appearance on LP - Schubert’s Sonatine No. 3 in G minor D. 408, Op. 137 No. 3 (again with pianist Tasso Janopoulo – rec. 28 May 1944 at the Studio Pelouze, Paris). 

Nearly everything Thibaud set his bow to was touched with distinction, and these three remarkable performances testify to his unique artistry, the delightful perpetuum mobile-like opening to Schubert’s Sonatina just one of many moments where Thibaud’s playing imparts sheer magic into this war-time shellac.  Everything about this issue is special, not least the LP’s gorgeous center label, the green Pathé script set off against a handsome pall yellow background.  The cover photo (by Marcel Arthaud) shows a young Charles Munch leading what was then Paris’s finest orchestra (with those distinctive winds and brass) at the Studio Albert.  Although the jacket credits the recording to the ‘Orchestre Symphonique’ the players are, in fact, the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire. 

Incidentally, the jacket notes on the reverse side (in French) are by pianist Marguerite Long. 

This disc is among Thibaud’s rarest LPs, even more elusive than the Vox/Polydor issue of his Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major with Paul Paray, and as mentioned above, this beautiful La Voix de son Maitre pressing was the Schubert Sonatina’s only issue during the LP era.  For all those who care about the art of the violin, FJLP 5015 will prove a lovely LP.

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 GOOD. There is bumping/wear at corners, creasing, edgewear, discoloraiton, a small bit of writing to the rear panel and some stray marks to the front panel. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, or other defects and the whole remains solid and presentation worthy – overall, still a decent copy.

The condition of the LP itself is VERY GOOD-. There is is light surface noise and some ticky passages (a minute or so at the beginning of K. 219, though the tic is quite soft). Side 2 (Schubert and Mozart/Kreisler Rondo) is better in the regard, quiet surfaces throughout. Overall, this remains an enjoyable copy.