Francescatti plays Kreisler (11 selections) - Columbia Masterworks ML 5255

$

42

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This handsome LP from Columbia Masterworks (ML 5255, US pressing, gray 6eye label, mono – no stereo edition exists) entitled “Francescatti Plays Kreisler” features one great violinist’s tribute to another, with Zino Francescatti offering up 11 of Kreisler’s inimitable, incomparable creations. He is partnered by pianist Artur Balsam, an artist Yehudi Menuhin

once described as "one of the few indispensable ones", and by pianist Max Lanner*.

The exact contents are as follows, all works written (or arranged) by Fritz Kreisler:

            Caprice Viennois Op. 2

            Liebeseid

            Recitative and Scherzo-Caprice Op. 6 (for solo violin)

            Liebesfreud

            Tambourin Chinois Op. 3

Schön Rosmarin

Allegretto

Praeludium & Allegro

Londonderry Air

Rondino on a Theme of Beethoven*

All works, except for Kreisler’s Londonderry Air, were recorded at Liederkranz Hall, New York, in March 1947; the latter set down at Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York, in January 1951.

Francescatti brings great sophistication and charm (and certainly virtuosity) to these pieces and he is given echt support be the splended Artur Balsam – oustanding from first to last.

The striking cover photos of Francescatti and Kreisler were taken by Robert Cato. There are authoritative liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Charles Burr, provided in English only.

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 a shallow cut that runs down the front panel (as if made by an exacto knife), as well as some wear at corners and general shelfwear. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, owners' markings, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, and presentation worthy – overall, still a decent copy.

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Although surfaces are not absolutely 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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REFUNDS:
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