Szigeti: Beethoven Sonata Op. 96 + Schubert - Columbia ML 4642

Jacket EX- / LP VG (see notes below)

This handsome and very rare LP from Columbia Masterworks (ML 4642, US pressing, blue label – ED1, mono) features legendary violinist Joseph Szigeti in a superb program pairing Schubert's Rondo Brillant in B minor D. 895 (Op. 70) with Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 10 in G Major Op. 96.

The former was recorded with pianist Carlo Bussotti at Columbia 30^th Street Studio, New York, on 24 January 1951, while the latter was set down with pianist Mieczyslaw Horszowski in the same venue on 18 April 1951.

Szigeti brings a lifetime's wisdom and experience to these scores, imbuing them with a warmth and songfulness that is wholly winning, and he is superbly accompanied, in particular by the great Horszowski.

The striking cover art was designed by Norman Marvin Graber of Monogram. There are insightful liner notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket, printed in English only.

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 jacket is EX-. There is a discreet 1" split to the lower edge and a bit of bumping to the upper-right corner. The rear panel also shows some aging. Otherwise, the jacket remains perfectly solid and extremely attractive – overall, an EX- collector's copy.

The condition of the LP is VG (Beethoven) /EX (Schubert). There are some tics in the first movement of the Beethoven, though only one is repetitive (it sounds at the outset for about  15 revolutions). The other two sound for a single revolution. In addition, surfaces are not CD silent and there is some surface noise, playback remains perfectly enjoyable. There are no tics, pops, or other distracting sonic defects. Nonetheless, if you must have flawless or NM surfaces, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, rates as an excellent collector's copy.