Heifetz: Bruch "Scottish" Fantasy + Vieuxtemps Concerto No. 5: RCA LM-2603 (SD)

$

25

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This lovely LP from RCA (LM-2603, US pressing, shaded dog label, mono) features Jascha Heifetz's peerless accounts of Bruch's Scottish Fantasy Op. 46 and Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No. 5 in A minor Op. 37, both recorded in London's Walthamstow Assembly Hall in May 1961 with Sir Malcolm Sargent conducting the New Symphony Orchestra of London.

The sound quality is truly remarkable – Heifetz's violin, without being overly spotlit – has a tangible presence that is breathtaking, and Sargent's beautifully detailed accompaniment registers with perfect fidelity.

The exact track list is as follows:

Henri Vieuxtemps

A

Concerto No. 5 in A minor Op. 37

17:00

Max Bruch

Scottish Fantasy Op. 46

B1

Introduction: Grave; Adagio cantabile

7:38

B2.1

Allegro

11:00

B2.2

Andante sostenuto

B3

Finale: Allegro guerriero

6:35

Wrote critic Arthur Lintgen for ClassicsToday.com:

"When this recording was made in the early 1960s, Bruch’s First Violin Concerto ranked with the most popular concertos in the repertoire, and this version dominated the field—in addition to making the Scottish Fantasy a major work for many people, myself included. There was simply no one who could play this florid Romantic music like Heifetz. Although the mastery of his performances of war-horses like the Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky concertos was virtually assumed, this recording and his stunning mono version of the Korngold Violin Concerto said even more about the artistry and influence of Heifetz. Tempos in the Bruch works are considerably faster than you are likely to hear now, as was the custom in the 1950s. In the Concerto, Sir Malcom Sargent generally plays the purely orchestral passages more swiftly than when he is accompanying Heifetz. This introduces an element of drama that is missing in performances that reduce the music to a syrupy wallow in slow romantic schmaltz. As a result, both the Concerto and the Scottish Fantasy gain in stature. Despite the relatively rapid tempos, the music never sounds rushed.

The Vieuxtemps Concerto is little more than an exercise in technique with a couple of nice melodies, but Heifetz makes it sound like a minor masterpiece....What else can I say? Only that this is the finest recording of Bruch’s masterpieces ever made in terms of both performance and sound."

There are insightful liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Charles O’Connell, printed in English only. The striking cover photo of Heifetz is uncredited.

CONDITION:

The condition of the jacket is VERY GOOD-. The only flaw barring a NM grading concerns a 2” split to the top edge. (There is also a promo stamp to the rear panel). Otherwise, the album is in superb shape – solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – still a very good collector's 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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