Argenta/Cento Soli: Schubert Symphony No. 9 "Great" - Omega Disk OSL-12

Jacket VG / LP VG / US pressing

This handsome and rare LP from Omega Disk (OSL-12, US pressing, yellow label, stereo) features a superb licensed version, from the French Club Français du Disque label, of Ataulfo Argenta’s justly famous account of Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C Major D. 944 “Great”, recorded with The Cento Soli Orchestra of Paris (“The Orchestra of 100 Soloists”) at the Salle Wagram, Paris, on 8 November 1957. The producer of this Omega Disk release was Dave Hubert, while the transfer engineer was J.P. Legrand. Argenta’s is a reading of extremes, but none the worse for that, and the fine Cento Solis Orchestra (largely made up of players from l’Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux) play with tremedous verve and spirit.

There are excellent liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Alan Rich, 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 VERY GOOD. There is a small bend/crease to the upper-left corner, bumping/wear at the other corners, a minor tear from a former price sticker on the front panel, and a discreet tape repair to the upper-right edge. However, the album remains very solid and presentation worthy – overall, this remains a very good collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is VERY GOOD. Though there is light surface noise throughout, in general the playback remains enjoyable. Only in the Mvt IV is there some deterioration in sound. Those wanting a flawless or near-MINT copy are kindly advised to look elsewhere. Overall, this rates as a very good collector's copy.