Stravinsky conducts Le sacre + Apropros - Philips SABL 174 "Hi-Fi Stereo" label

$

50

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This elusive LP – a beautiful collector's copy – from Philips (SABL 174 / 835 562 AY, plum/silver Hi-Fi Stereo label, English pressing, stereo) features Igor Stravinsky's brilliant rendition of his own Le Sacre du Printemps, recorded in New York City on 5/6 January 1960 with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra on stunning, hi-octane form, with truly brilliant sound to match.

Note: This performance is prefaced with a spoken introduction by the composer: "Apropos of Le Sacre · Recorded Commentary by Igor Stravinsky About the History of a Musical Landmark". One hears Stravinsky – in frail, but riveting voice – speak of Le Sacre's origins, of Sergei Diaghilev and Vaslav Nijinsky, of the work's infamous premiere, and of conductor Pierre Monteux – a remarkable document that should be heard by all who love this work.

Long a Rosette-winner a, the esteemed editors of the Penguin Guide have written: "[A] relevatory performance  here is The Rite of Spring, for Stravinsky's own (1960) reading has never been surpassed as an interpretation of this seminal twentieth-century score. Over and over again, one finds passages which in the balancing and pacing (generally fast) give extra thrust and resilience, as well as extra light and shade."

The sound is amazingly vivid, with plenty of amplitude and definition, here preserved in the best pressing possible of this remarkable recording – a 20th Century musical landmark.

Incidentally, there are insightful and eloquent liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Malcolm Rayment, printed in English only. The striking cover photo of Stravinsky is uncredited.

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 minor wear at corners, as well as faint discoloration, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, owners' markings, bends, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, and glossy, the fine laminate finish perfectly intact  – overall, a very handsome 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 playback is superb, close to NM. Those requiring a flawless or near-MINT copy are 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!

PAYMENT:
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REFUNDS:
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