Bruch

Concerto No.1 for Violin and Orchestra in  G Minor, op. 26

1. I. Allegro moderato
2. II. Adagio
3. III. Finale. Allegro energico

Mendelssohn

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in  E Minor, op. 64

4. I. Allegro molto appassionato
5. II. Andante
6. III. Allegro non molto
7. IV. Allegro molto vivace

Leonid Kogan violin

Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, 
Lorin Maazel conductor

Melodiya, Stereo C 10-09309-10

This was Kogan's 50th birthday recording. When the producer asked him if he wanted a day off to celebrate, he said "no". Making this recording was his best present to himself.
I cannot but agree. I'll give my predilections away without ado by stating that ever since I acquired this on LP, nearly 40 years ago, it has stamped my idea of an ideal performances of both these works. Mind you, it makes no claims to that effect; and it is entirely uneffacing in this regard. Nothing more than near perfect violin playing, the most sensitive pacing, good rhythmic spring and an orchestra (the RSO Berlin under Lorin Maazel) providing wholly apt accompaniment from a full-bodied and immaculately recorded hall-like sound.
There is of course plenty of competition, so I will not insult your intelligence by claiming this is the best of the hundred plus recordings issued in the stereo era. Milstein with Barzun, Stern and Ormandy, from roughly the same decade are strong rivals; and among the more modern digital recordings I find Vengerov with Masur equally enjoyable. When you have such a huge bagful of choices, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep a sound perspective. As an inveterate collector I must have auditioned more than 50 recordings of both works over the years, of which some 20-odd are survivors in my collection. Yet here it is: In the end, when I am not checking and comparing, but just want to listen to a truly outstanding and satisfying account, I tend more often than not to dig out this issue by Kogan and Maazel. It has never failed to give me full measure of pleasure. In my books this is as high a recommendation as one can give to an account of these old warhorses. 

Before your bids please read my grading, shipping, payment and refund policy!

NM : Near Mint.

Record = is as good as new and clear. May have some minor paper scuffs or/and tiny hairlines.   

Cover = as new with maybe the slightest signs of wear on corners, edges, spine or surface.

EX : Excellent.

Record =  Still very clear with more hairlines or/and some small scuffs.

Cover = there is a bit wear on corners, edges and surface, slight wrinkle, minor writing on back. 

VG+ : Very Good+.               

Record =  clear but you can see some light scratches and/or some small scuffs across the surface.   

Cover = is still looking good, but there is some wear on corners & edges,slight creasing. There are split in the seams, wear or/and small sticker damage on the surfacewithout any major defects.

VG : Very Good.

Record = you can see many noticeable scratches or scuffs, some may cause distracting surface noise. 

Cover = there is real wear on corners, edges and spine.There are splits in the seams, serious surface-wear,  price sticker damage, small tears or duct tape seam repairs, other not too significant  flaws or damage.

G : Good.

When I put a record on Ebay with this grade then it well be a very rare one. In that case I will describe the imperfections on this record in detail.

Priority shipping to EUROPE:

1 LP:    $12
2-3 LPs: $22
4-8 LPs: $34

Priority shipping to AMERICA - AUSTRALIA - ASIA - AFRICA:

1 LP: $15
2-3 LPs: $26
4-8 LPs: $38

I am sorry to announce that I will no longer be shipping by unregistered mail to ITALY, GREECE, SPAIN, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, South & Central America, Africa, Asia (except Japan), please add  $5.00 per package.

ALL LP'S ARE PACKED WELL AND RECORDS ARE ALWAYS REMOVED FROM JACKET WHEN MAILING UNLESS SEALED!

UNREGISTERED PACKAGES ARE SHIPPED ENTIRELY AT THE BUYER'S RISK FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE. REGISTERED MAIL FEE IS:$5.00.

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Any claims of dissatisfaction will not be met with refunds unless item is returned in the condition it was mailed in with all original shipping materials.All shipping costs are not refundable and shipping both ways MUST be paid for by buyer.

Please do not order if these international terms and conditions are not acceptable to you