I Musici: Il Favorito (Vivaldi, Corelli, Albinoni, et al.) - Philips L 02.246 L

Jacket NM / LP NM

This superb LP – a gatefold, cloth spine edition – from Philips (D 88186 Y, French pressing, red/white "Trésors Classiques" label, stereo) entitled “I Musici · Mosaic” features the crack Italian ensemble I Musici in an exhiliarating program of Baroque concerti, boasting brilliant performances by a host of virtuoso instrumentalists. This album was issued by Philips in 1967.

Included are the following works, with recording dates supplied when possible:

Vivaldi: Concerto in E minor for Violin, Strings, and Continuo Op. 11 No. 2 (P. 106) 'Il Favorito' – with Roberto Michelucci, violin

(rec. at the Conservatorio Verdi, Milano on 1 January 1958)

Vivaldi: Concerto in D Major for Flute, Strings, and Continuo Op. 10 No. 3 (P. 155) “Il Cardellino” – with Gastone Tassinari, flute

(rec. at the Conservatorio Verdi, Milano on 1 January 1958)

Albinoni: Concerto in D minor for Oboe, Strings, and Continuo Op. 9 No. 2 – with Evert van Tright, oboe

(rec. in Vienna on 26 April 1959)

Vivaldi: Concerto in G Major for Two Mandolins, Strings, and Continuo (P. 133) – with Gino del Vescovo and Tommaso Ruta, mandolins

The continuo and organ player throughout is Maria Teresa Garatti. All session were produced by the Italian conductor, musicologist, and composer Vittorio Negri Bryks.

These are gleaming, virtuoso performances with real gravitas in the slow movement. The sound is of Philips' finest anaolog quality.

Incidentally, the cover photo was taken by Geert Koolman. On the interior panels of the gatefold jacket are liner notes by producer Vittorio Negri Bryks, numerous black-and-white photos of I Musici, and reproductions of other album covers in this series.

Incidentally, the cover photo was taken by Geert Koolman. On the interior panels of the gatefold jacket are printed liner notes (uncredited – and in Dutch only) and black-and-white reproductions of other album covers in this series.

CONDITION:

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

The condition of the gatefold, cloth spine jacket is near-MINT. There is slight discoloration, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, owners' markings, bends, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, a fine collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Though the surfaces are not perfectly silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT) this is a fine copy and playback is superb. If you must have perfect surfaces, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, this rates as a NM collector's copy.