Bernstein/Concertgebouw: Mahler Symphony No. 9

Description: ITEM DESCRIPTION: Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE This beautiful and rare 2LP box set from Deutsche Grammophon (419 208-1, West German pressing, white circle label, DDD stereo) features Leonard Bernstein’s extraordinary account of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, recorded ‘live’ with the Concertgebouw Orchestra in the spacious acoustics of the Grote Zaal, the Concertgebouw in June 1985 (producer: Hanno Rinke / recording supervision: Hans Weber / engineer: Klaus Scheibe). Wrote the outstanding critic Simon Thompson for MusicWeb-International: “Many critics have great problems with Bernstein’s 1985 Concertgebouw recording of the Ninth but I am not one of them. True, Bernstein’s finest recording of this work is his 1979 live recording with the Berlin Philharmonic, the only occasion on which he conducted them. Happily this has recently been reissued on one CD as a DG Original and it demands to be heard, in spite of its imperfections. Don’t dismiss the 1985 version, though: it’s far from perfect but has a lot to recommend it. The vast Andante comodo feels expansive and well paced, and Bernstein manages the transitions through consolation and tragedy very effectively, though the final collapse at the end of the “development” (if you can call it that) is not as total as it should be. The horn soloist plays beautifully. The swaggering clumsiness of the Ländler is unsettling while remaining witty and the Concertgebouw trombones have a great time attacking their lines. The Rondo Burleske crackles with intensity but has a radiantly still central section. The finale is controversial (“protracted and pulseless” according to David Gutman) but I still found it utterly involving and never did I find it indulgent or wilful. In fact the final bars moved me immensely.” Incidentally, the striking cover art, entitled “Voyage de Rêve” was executed by ERTE. The excellent CD-size (as issued with the LP set) 32-page booklet includes wonderful portraits of Bernstein, as well as extensive notes on the music by Volker Scherliess (German, French, and Italian) and Andrew Clements (English). CONDITION: The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor. The condition of the box is NM-. There is some extremely minor wear at corners, as well as very faint discoloration, but that is all. There are no corner breaks, seam splits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the box remains perfectly solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive in appearance. Overall, this rates as a truly excellent, virtually near-MINT collector’s copy. The condition of the CD-size, 32-page booklet is near-MINT. There are no flaws to speak of and the booklet appears as new. The condition of the 2 LPs is near-MINT. Although the surfaces are not absolutely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT) these are fine copies and playback is superb. If you must have flawless surfaces, then please do not buy this set – these rate as NM collector's copies. PLEASE NOTE: 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! PAYMENT: Payment should be made within 5 days. SHIPPING: Shipping is free to anywhere in the world; this is true regardless of the number of LPs you buy, be it 1 or a 100. All LPs will be sent via standard airmail (7-10 days delivery). Note: There is no tracking number provided with standard airmail. Should you wish to have your item(s) sent via certified airmail (i.e., with a tracking number), please let me know. FEEDBACK: I will promptly leave feedback for all buyers. Please do not leave negative, or even neutral, feedback without first giving me an opportunity to resolve any dissatisfaction you might have with an item or transaction. I do understand that, on occasion, a buyer might believe the item description to be inaccurate or that a buyer may be disappointed in some other way regarding the sale. I promise I will do my very best to resolve any unhappiness you've experienced in your buying experience with me to your complete satisfaction. Thank you. REFUNDS: Returns are honored, and any buyer you makes a return will be refunded in full. Please let me know before making a return. Please see my other classical LP and CD auctions, and feel free to write with any questions, I'll be glad to help.

Price: 149.95 USD

Location: El Cros

End Time: 2024-09-11T08:44:02.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD