Makanowitzky: Brahms 3 Violin Sonatas + Horn Trio - Lumen LD 3-428/429 (2 LPs)

$

600

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

With these two beautiful – and extraordinarily rare – LPs from Lumen (LD-3-428 / LD 3-429, French pressing, red labels, mono) one can have complete violinist Paul Makanowitzky and pianist Noël Lee's sublime survery of Brahms’s 3 Sonatas for Violin and Piano, as well as the composer’s Trio for Horn, Violin, and Piano in E-flat Major Op. 40, in which they are joined by horn player Pierre del Vescovo.

These legendary performances were recorded in Paris circa 1958 and sound splendid here.

There have been fine traversals by the likes of Oistrakh, Menuhin, Szeryng, Stern, 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 Brahms:

Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in G Major Op. 78

Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major Op. 100

Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in D minor Op. 108

Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano in E-flat Major Op. 40

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 VERY CAREFULLY:

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

The condition of the jackets is VERY GOOD throughout. Both show aging, some scuffing, shelfwear, edgewear, and discoloration to the rear panels. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and both remain solid and attractive – overall, these rate as very good collector’s copies.

The condition of the 2 LPs is EXCELLENT throughout. Although surfaces are not perfectly silent and there are a few scattered soft tics, really these are fine copies and playback is fine. However, if you must have flawless copies, then please do not buy this set – overall, these rate as excellent 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!

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REFUNDS:
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