Menuhin: Bach 6 Sonatas & Partitas: FALP 450-452 (3LP)

$

73

ITEM DESCRIPTION:
This handsome and exceedingly elusive 3LP box set from La Voix de Son Maitre / Pathé Marconi (FALP 450-452, French pressing, red semi-circle label, mono, booklet included) features Yehudi Menuhin’s second cycle of the Bach Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin, set down entirely at EMI Studio No. 3, Abbey Road, London during the years 1956/1957. These performances more often appear in individual English HMV ALP discs – to find the integral cycle in its first French box set issue is quite rare. Moreover, the box is very nice, of a sturdy canvas construction, with striking typesetting.

The exact contents of the set (i.e., each disc) are as follows:

FALP 450 pairs the Sonata No. 1 BWV 1001 (rec. 6/7 Sept 1956) with the Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 (rec. 5/6 & 9/10 March and 27 May 1957). 

FALP 451 couples the Sonata No. 2 BWV 1003 (rec. 6 March 1957) with the Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 (rec. 31 January and 10 March 1957).

FALP 452 joins the Sonata No. 3 BWV 1005 (rec. 30/31 January 1957) with the Partita No. 3 BWV 1006 (6 Sept 1956). 

For some collectors, Menuhin’s first scaling of this Everest of the violin (made for La Voix de son Maître during the years 1933-1936) remains a benchmark for these works, but his later set represents a more concentrated affair, conceived from the outset as a complete cycle and executed with tremendous focus by Menuhin.  There can be little doubt that, playing and conducting Bach in the intervening two decades which separate these sets, was of enormous benefit to Menuhin, deepening his relationship to the music and its composer.  Recorded in the waning days of mono, it has never won the recognition it so richly deserves, and for this listener, it remains the finest integral cycle of the mono era, and one of Menuhin’s greatest achievements in the studio.

Of interest to the collector is the statement appearing on the reverse of the 16-page booklet (in French only) which states the date of printing of this set as 10 May 1961.

CONDITION:
The condition of the box is near-MINT. There is slight bumping to the upper-right and lower-left corners, as well as very minor shelfwear, but that is all. There are no seamsplits or corner breaks, nor are there any bends or owners' markings. The fine inlaid letter remains bright and crisp, both on the front and along the spine – a fine collector's copy.

The condition of the 16-page booklet is near-MINT. Really, there are no flaws to speak of. The pages remain bright and crisp, the binding remains perfect. There are no bends, tears, creases, or owners' markings – a superb copy.

The condition of the 3 LPs is near-MINT throughout. There are no spindle trails nor surface marks – they appear to be pristine, unplayed copies. I have play-graded all 6 sides a single time and all 6 play flawlessly – beautiful collector's copies.

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