Giulini/CSO: Mahler Symphony No. 9 (rec. 1976) - DG 2707 097 (2LP box, sealed)

$

70

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This handsome 2-LP box set – a still-sealed copy – from Deutsche Grammophon (2707 097, German pressing, white circle label, stereo, booklet included) features conductor Carlo Maria Giulini and the mighty Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a transcendent account of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, richly recorded at Medinah Temple, Chicago, on 5 April 1976.

The exact track listing is as follows:

A

I Andante comodo

31:45

B

II Im tempo eines gemächlichen ländlers - Etwas täppisch und sehr derb

17:05

C

III Rondo burleske - Allegro assai. Sehr trotzig

13:53

D

IV Adagio - Sehr langsam und noch zurückhaltend

25:12

Wrote the erudite critic Dominy Clements for MusicWeb-International:

“Giulini’s Chicago recording of Mahler’s Symphony No.9 has long been highly regarded and, with plaudits including a Grammy award is of justly classic status. Giulini takes broad tempi in general with this symphony and this is apparent from the outset, building a tremendously powerful structure over nearly 32 minutes in a first movement which normally comes in well under 30. As with the Mussorgsky, the impressiveness is not so much in orchestral spectacle, but rather in a kind of psychology which works its way into the imagination – both as an immediately involving and fascinating theatre of the infinite and the unique, as well as over that lengthy span of time which involves cumulative emotion and memory. There are possibly some balance issues with the recording, which favours winds and brass over strings, but all sections of the orchestra make enough impact to prevent this being a real issue for the work in its entirety. Climaxes are overwhelming, and the sense of emotional depth is potent throughout the work, even in places where you’d expect it least such as the second movement ländler, which is by no means a light skip through sunlit fields. The impact of the emotional heart of the third movement has been struck with more passion elsewhere, and I would agree with some commentator’s opinions that the final Adagio is richer in Italianate lyricism than deeply explored emotion dug from the depths of the soul. This doesn’t mean this is not a marvellously expressed and moving statement, but other conductors such as Bernstein and Karajan wring more from the score earlier on. One of my favourites of the more vintage generation of recordings of this work is that from 1964 with Sir John Barbirolli and the Berlin Philharmonic on EMI, and in this one hears where even just a little greater freedom with tempi, just those moments of heightened anticipation can bring yet more stunning results. Giulini’s ‘long view’ means that the arrival at the climax and final apotheosis of this movement is where it’s ‘at’ however, so again this is still a Mahler 9th Symphony I would not want to be without, and the rewards by far outweigh any subtle nuances preferred in other recordings.”

--------------------------------------------------

The recording supervisor was Günther Breest and the engineer Klaus Scheibe. The striking cover photo of Giulini was taken by Christian Steiner. The full-size, 12-page booklet contains authoritative liner notes by Constantin Floros, Deryck Cooke and Ingo Harden – all texts provided in German, French, Italian, and 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 near-MINT. Really there are no flaws to speak of and the box appears virtually as new – an outstanding collector’s copy.

The condition of the 2 LPs is MINT throughout. These are still-sealed, unplayed copies – the ideal collector's copies.

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!

PAYMENT:
Payment by PayPal is greatly preferred. 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 contact me.

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 contact me 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.