Michelucci: Tartini "Devil's Trill" Sonata - Philips 835 060 AY (red/silver)

$

125

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful, rare, and highly desirable LP from Philips (835 060 AY, Dutch pressing, red/silver label, stereo, original inner sleeve included) features the great virtuoso violinist Roberto Michelucci in a stunning mixed recital, recorded at Le Tour de Peltz, Switzerland on 11 September 1971. He is accompanied in these works by cellist Franz Walter, and harpsichordist Marijke Smit Sibinga.

Included are the following works of Giuseppe Tartini:

Sonata for Violin and Basso Continuo in G minor Op. 1 No. 4 “Devil’s Trill”
1. Larghetto affettuoso
2. Allegro
3. Andante - Allegro

Sonata for violin & Continuo in G minor B. g10 Op. 1 No. 10 "Didone abbandonata"
1. Affettuoso
2. Presto
3. Allegro

Violin Sonata No. 5 in A minor Op. 1 No. 5
1. Andante cantabile
2. Allegro
3. Allegro assai

Violin Sonata No. 3 in A Major Op. 1 No. 3
1. Largo
2. Allegro
3. Presto

Wrote the critic M.M. in his review for the July 1981 issue of The Gramophone: “Michelucci's playing is strong, sweet-toned and stylish; a combination of virtues calculated to present Tartini in a very favourable light. And so he does, with the notable assistance of Sibinga, a neat and resourceful harpsichordist, and Walter, a steady exponent of the bass line. In recorded balance, a strong one, too; not too strong, perhaps, or anyway it would not be so if the harpsichord were allowed a stronger say in the middle of the texture. As it is, the balance is without question a satisfactory historical one; many will find it so, too, for today's listening.

“Indeed, in the Devil's Trill, the middle is certainly filled out, for often Tartini does this in the violin part: this, half-a-dozen other musical reasons, and one non-musical reason (the unlikelihood of the Devil bringing his own harpsichordist to the dream session) have led me to believe for some years that this particular sonata is one for unaccompanied violin, a texture in which I hope to hear it (not to play it!) one day. In the meanwhile, I will certainly settle, gladly, for Michelucci….”

Incidentally, the fine liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket, in German only, were written by Christopher Grier.

CONDITION:

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

The condition of the jacket is VERY GOOD-. There is bumping at corners and edgewear, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, bends, scuffs, or owners' markings. The fine laminate finish is perfectly intact and the album remains solid, bright, and richly glossy – overall, a handsome collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is similary near-MINT and the playback is superb – overall, this rates as a truly fine collector's copy.