Makanowitzky: Bach Violin Sonatas BWV 1014/19 - Lumen LD 3-437-1/438-2 (2 LPs)

$

446

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

With these two beautiful – and extraordinarily rare – LPs from Lumen (LD 3-437-1 / LD 3-438-2, French pressing, green/silver labels, stereo) one can have complete violinist Paul Makanowitzky and pianist Noël Lee's sublime survery of Bach's Six Sonatas for Violin and Keyboard BWV 1014-1019, made in Paris in 1958.

This set would win the 1959 Grand Prix du Disque. Lee plays a modern concert in these recordings.

PLEASE NOTE:

This particular item is sold AS IS – please see the description of its CONDITION below. Both LPs are slightly warped, the the warping does not affect play. However, I will not accept a return on this set.

There have been fine traversals by the likes of Oistrakh, Menuhin, Szeryng, Stern, and Perlman, but Makanowitzky brings a marvelous purity of playing to this repertoire, his cycle touched by a wisdom and humanity, allied to a brilliant technique and penetrating musicianship.

Producer and engineer André Charlin afforded the veteran duo with uncommonly fine sound, the violin perfectly distanced from the microphone and its balance with the piano in optimum measure.  Unlike so many collaborations captured on disc, this is one of equals, with Lee consistently matching Makanowitzky in imagination. Indeed, he proves himself fully equal to Makanowitzky’s artistry throughout all ten sonatas – an inspired musical partnership that was a model of its kind.

On the website of the superb historical label Doremi, which recently issued the complete cycle on CD, one can find this biographical sketch of Makanowitzky:

"Born in Stockholm to Russian parents on 20 June 1920, Paul Makanowitzky began violin studies at age four as a pupil of Ivan Galamian - who taught at the Russian Conservatory in Paris from 1924 to 1937 - and with Jacques Thibaud. Makanowitzky's recital début in 1929 in Salle Gaveau, Paris, astonished the music world. Critics wrote that 'the public expected a well-rehearsed puppet, and discovered a true musician.' He was dubbed a prodigy among prodigies. What was most striking in the plethora of praise that followed his appearances throughout Europe were phrases rarely associated with child performers: 'stupefying authority', 'remarkable elegance', 'sensitivity', 'authority', 'purity of style.' Makanowitzky made his New York début in 1937. In 1942, still a Swedish subject, Makanowitzky volunteered, to the consternation of his managers and Galamian, to fight for America in World War II. At war's end, Makanowitzky returned to the violin, rebuilding his career as a soloist and was soon engaged by USA leading orchestras under Pierre Monteux, Paul Paray, Vladimir Golschmann and Serge Koussevitzky among others. In 1954, Makanowitzky met Noël Lee. As a duo they concertized extensively between 1954 and 1964. The Boston Herald's P. C. Brooks praised them as ' the best ensemble playing to be found anywhere in the world.' The duo recorded all the Bach, Beethoven and Brahms violin & piano sonatas. In 1966, Makanowitzky accepted teaching posts at the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute and the Meadowmount School of Music. He was also a visiting professor at Brandeis University, Toho-Gaukuen in Tokyo and the Royal Conservatory in Toronto. He retired from performing in 1967 and joined the strings faculty of the University of Michigan where he served until 1983. He died on 24 February, 1998 in Freeport, Maine."

Included then are the following works of Bach:

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 1 in B minor BWV 1014

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 2 in A Major BWV 1015

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 3 in E Major BWV 1016

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 4 in C minor BWV 1017

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 5 in F minor BWV 1018

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 6 in G Major BWV 1019

The reverse sides of both jackets carry insightful notes, with musical examples, by Claude Rostand – provided in French only. The lovely cover design is uncredited.

CONDITION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY; THIS COPY SOLD AS IS (NO RETURNS):

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

The condition of the jackets is EXCELLENT throughout. Both show some aging, corner wear, and discoloration to the rear panels. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and both remain solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, these rate as excellent collector’s copies.

The condition of the 2 LPs is VERY GOOD throughout. Both LPs have slight warps, but the warps do not affect play (all 4 sides have been play graded). In terms of sound, although surfaces are not perfectly silent, really these are fine copies and playback is quite good. However, if you must have flawless copies, then please do not buy this set – overall, these rate as very good 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:
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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.

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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.