Karajan: Beethoven 9 Symphonies (leather-bound ed.) - DG 2563 795/802 (8-LP box)

$

180

<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/sw/java.gif" border="0"><br><table align="center"><tr><td><a style="text-decoration:none" href="http://emporium.auctiva.com/redgarnett" target="_blank"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/sw/images.gif" border="0"></a></td><td height="27px" valign="middle" align="center"><font face="arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://emporium.auctiva.com/redgarnett" target="_blank">redgarnett</a> Store</b></font></td></tr></table></div> ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This is a beautiful copy of the Limited Edition leather-bound 8-LP box set of Herbert von Karajan's 1975/76 Beethoven Symphony cycle – only 2,000 copies were pressed, now nearly 40 years ago.

The catalog details are as follows: DG 2563 795/802 (West German pressing, white circle label, stereo, booklet included). 

PLEASE NOTE:

There is a similar Italian edition of this set (same style box) that included an insert signed by Karajan himself; This is not that edition - this is the German edition; no signed card by the conductor.

Though many collectors will prefer Karajan's first DG cycle from 1962, this later survey from more than decade on brings some gains, not least a more transcendent Ninth, one of the conductor's great achievements on record. The First, Fourth and Fifth are also remarkably powerful readings.

Recorded at the Philharmonie, Berlin during 1975-76, this remains a true landmark in the Beethoven discography.

The set is strikingly bound in leather, with embossed gold lettering, and contains a hefty 40-page, full-size booklet with several essays on Beethoven's 9 Symphonies (by Irving Kolodin) and on Karajan (by William Bender). Moreover, the booklet is lavishly illustrated with numerous full-color photos of conductor, soloists, and the musicians of the Berliner Philharmoniker. The set was manufactured in West Germany (white circle labels – stereo).

Of this 1976 Beethoven Ninth, the eminent critic Mortimer H. Frank wrote for Fanfare:

"Recorded at the end of 1976 and originally released the following year on LP, this is the fourth of Karajan’s five recorded accounts of the Ninth. Though none is quite like another, each made a major impact when first issued and boasted the highest of technical and musical standards at that time. On balance, this version may be the best of the lot. The sound remains impressive, the performance idiomatic and virtuosic, the Berlin brass, in particular being especially impressive. Most significantly, this CD comprises, so far as I know, the reading’s first release as a moderately priced single disc. It is worth every penny. Like many of Karajan’s other recordings, it certainly proves the lie to the inaccurate generalization that he favored an overly refined, legato-based sonority that covered his readings with an inappropriate creamy blanket. Here the winds have bite, the brass snarl, and strings are free of untoward lushness. Note that the second movement lacks both repeats and is free of the Weingartner emendations. With its well-chosen tempos, explosive fortes, and fine sound, this is a most welcome reissue." 

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

Included then are the following works of Beethoven:

Symphony No. 1 in C Major Op. 21 – rec. 23 January 1975

Symphony No. 2 in D Major Op. 36 – rec. 24 January 1975

Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major Op. 55 "Eroica" – rec. 7 May 1976

Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major Op. 60 – rec. 23 September 1976

Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67 – rec. 20 October 1976

Symphony No. 6 in F Major Op. 68 "Pastorale" – rec. 19 October 1976

Symphony No. 7 in A Major Op. 92 – rec. 22 October 1976

Symphony No. 8 in F Major Op. 93 – rec. 21 October 1976

Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op. 125 "Choral" – rec. 25 September 1976

> with Anna Tomowa-Sintow (Soprano), Agnes Baltsa (Mezzo Soprano), Peter Schreier (Tenor), José Van Dam (Bass Baritone), and the Wiener Singverein (Chorus Master: Helmut Froschauer)

The executive producers for these sessions were Dr. Hans Hirsch and Magdalene Padberg, the recording supervisor Michel Glotz, and the engineer Günter Hermanns.

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

PLEASE NOTE:

Even with minimal packaging this set will weigh over 3 kg. This means that outside of Europe the cost for shipping is about $60 USD, and that is just for standard airmail. Certified airmail (with a tracking number) costs $64 USD.

Those in doubt can visit the Spanish postal website (Correos.com), which is available in English. Although this listing states “free” shipping, it is not really free, of course. I have to pay for shipping like everyone else.

Anyway, all this to say that those who feel the price is high need to take the cost of shipping into account, so please keep this in mind when making a “best offer”. If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to write and I will be happy to help. Thank you.

CONDITION:

The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.

The condition of the heavy leather-bound box is near-MINT. Really, there are no flaws to speak of and the box appears virtually as new – overall, an outstanding collector's copy.

The condition of booklet is NM. There is a small bit of scuffing to the front panel, but that is all. The pages are free of markings, and remain bright, glossy, and the binding is perfectly intact.

The condition of the 8 LPs is near-MINT throughout and playback is superb in all 8 – overall, these rate as truly fine 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.