Ormandy: Rachmaninov The Bells & Isle of the Dead - Columbia ML 5043 (6eye)

$

16

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful LP from Columbia Masterworks (ML 5043, US pressing, gray 6eye label, mono only – no stereo edition exists) features Eugene Ormandy’s magnificent renditions of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s The Bells Op. 35 and Isle of the Dead Op. 29. In the former, Ormandy is joined by vocal soloists Frances Yeend (soprano), David Lloyd (tenor), and Mack Harrell (baritone), as well as by the Temple Univsrity Chorus (Chorus Director: Elaine Brown).

Both works were warmly recorded at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia – the former on 28 February 1954 and the latter on 7 November 1954. The Bells is here given in its English translation, but sounds entirely convincing given the thrust and immediacy of the singing.

Ormandy knew and worked with Rachmaninov personally and was always an insightful interpreter of the composer’s works, and it so it proves here. Both performances are imbued with a tremendous sense of occasion and can withstand the most exalted comparisons.

Incidentally, the striking cover art is credited to Kasper. There are superlative liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Charles Burr, printed in English only.

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 EXCELLENT. There is slight shelfwear, but that is all. Really, this is close to NM. There are no seamsplits, bends, or owners' markings and the whole remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, an excellent collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Although the surfaces are not absolutely silent, really this is a fine copy and the playback is enjoyable. Those requiring a flawless or near-MINT copy are kindly advised to look elsewhere. Overall, this is an excellent collector's copy.

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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