Wilkomirska: Franck Violin Sonata + Szymanowski - Connoisseur Society CSQ 2050
$
41
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Description
redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:
This beautiful LP from Connoiseur Society (CSQ 2050, US pressing, gray label, Quadriphonic stereo) features violinist Wanda Wilkomirska's deeply felt account of César Franck's Violin Sonata in A Major, recorded with the splendid pianist Antonio Barbosa.
Filling out the disc are their equally rapt – and quite stunning – renditions of Szymanowski's Mythes · Tois Poemes pour Violon et Piano Op. 30 (La Fontaine d'Arethuse, Narcisse, and Dryades et Pan).
Produced by E. Alan Silver and engineered by Marc Aubort, these superlative performances were recorded in 1973.
Wrote critic M.H. in his February 1975 review for The Gramophone:
"Szymanowski's Mythes consists of three closely related movements—"La fontaine d'Arethusa", "Narcisse" and "Dryades et Pan"—and the cycle as a whole is one of the great twentieth-century works for violin and piano. Readers who enjoy the violin sonatas of Debussy and Bartok should not find these pieces difficult to take, and although they are extremely difficult to play it is hard to understand why only the first movement has ever had much hold on the repertoire. Indeed, while its originality of thought is this music's chief claim to attention, the writing for both instruments is highly inventive, and it may be that its combination of flexibility and refinement in melody, harmony and rhythm creates problems for some listeners as it does for all performers. There is already one interpretation currently available, by Karel roubek and Josef Hada on Supraphon SUAST50580 (not submitted for review), that well reflects the character of Mythes, rich yet insubstantial, but Wilkomirska, who has given us a fine reading of Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No. 1 (DG Heliodor 89672, 6/68—now deleted), is considerably better recorded, both instruments having a more lifelike presence than on the older Supraphon.
"And though the almost voluptuous solidity of Franck's Sonata may contrast sharply with Szymanowski's rarefications, it provides a more attractive coupling than the Ysaye items found on Supraphon. After his performance in Mythes it is not surprising to find Barbosa effectively mitigating the heaviness of the keyboard part in Franck's opening movement, and in fact both players give the soaring lyricism of this work its head."
There are superb liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Harris Goldsmith, printed in English only. The lovely cover photo was taken by Lucien Clergue.
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 EXCELLENT. There is minor wear at corners, as well as mild discoloration to the rear panel, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, owners' markings, bends, or other defects, and the whole remains solid, bright, and very striking in appearance – overall, an excellent collector's copy.
The condition of the LP is near-MINT and playback is superb – overall, a truly fine 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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