Fricsay/BPO: Beethoven Symphony No. 9 - DG 138 002/3 (2LP box set) - ED1

$

165

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This very handsome 2-LP deluxe box set from Deutsche Grammophon (SLPM 138 002/3, German pressing, AH tulip label, stereo, original inner sleeves, DG catalog, and booklet included) features Ferenc Fricsay's towering performace of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op. 125, recorded with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Choir of St. Hedwig's Cathedral (Chorus Master: Karl Forster) and soloists Irmgard Seefried (soprano), Maureen Foster (contralto), Ernst Haefliger (tenor), and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bass).

Filling out this remarkable set are Fricsay equally compelling accounts of Beethoven's Leonore Overture III Op. 72 No. 3 and the Overture to Egmont Op. 84.

Taped in the fabled acoustics of St. Jesus Christus Kirche in Berlin, on 28 December 1957 and 2 January 1958, Fricsay's realization of Beethoven's mighty 'Choral' Symphony remains among the finest accounts on record and can be spoken of in the same breath as those by Furtwängler, Karajan, et al. Egmont was set down on 29 September 1958 and Leonore III the following day.

The production values for this set are quite impressive: a sturdy cloth-bound outer box (gilt lettering), and a full-size 18-page booklet replete with handsome photos of the artist, extensive notes on the music by Romain Rolland and Klaus Wagner (in German, French and English), reproductions of the original score, the words to Schiller's text (again, in German, French and English).

Friscay made few finer recordings than this, and no so lavishly presented by DG. The soloists on this occasion were all long-time Fricsay collaborators who shared his intense concentration and vision, resulting in a performance that sweeps all before it, a glorious sound from first to last.

CONDITION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

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

The condition of the box is EXCELLENT. There is minor discoloration and aging, but really that is all. There are no seamsplits, corner breaks, bends, owners' marking or other defects and remains extremely attractive, the gilt lettering still bright. Overall, an excellent collector's copy.

The condition of the 18-page booklet is EXCELLENT. There are no owners' markings or tears. The binding is perfectly intact and the booklet remains solid, crisp and very attractive.

The condition of the 2 LPs is near-MINT. Although the surfaces are not absolutely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT) these are fine copies and playback is superb. If you must have flawless surfaces, then please do not buy this set – these rate as NM collector's copies.

PLEASE NOTE:
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:
Payment by PayPal is greatly preferred. Payment should be made within 5 days.

SHIPPING:
Shipping is free to anywhere in the world; this is true regardless of the number of LPs you buy, be it 1 or a 100. All LPs will be sent via standard airmail (7-10 days delivery). Note: There is no tracking number provided with standard airmail. Should you wish to have your item(s) sent via certified airmail (i.e., with a tracking number), please let me know.

FEEDBACK:
I will promptly leave feedback for all buyers. Please do not leave negative, or even neutral, feedback without first giving me an opportunity to resolve any dissatisfaction you might have with an item or transaction. I do understand that, on occasion, a buyer might believe the item description to be inaccurate or that a buyer may be disappointed in some other way regarding the sale. I promise I will do my very best to resolve any unhappiness you've experienced in your buying experience with me to your complete satisfaction. Thank you.

REFUNDS:
Returns are honored, and any buyer you makes a return will be refunded in full. Please let me know before making a return.

Please see my other classical LP and CD auctions, and feel free to write with any questions, I'll be glad to help.