Fricsay/Berlin RIAS SO: Haydn Symphonies Nos. 95 & 98 - DG "Collection" 29 305
$5.00 USD
Jacket VG / LP NM / German pressing
This fine LP from Deutsche Grammophon (29 305, German pressing, mauve label, mono) features an issue from what was a short-lived historical recordings series DG undertook in the 1960s, extremely fine pressings, this volume devoted to conductor Ferenc Fricsay and the RIAS Symphonie-Orchester Berlin’s magnificent accounts of Haydn’s Symphonies No. 95 in C minor and No. 98 in B Major.
These performances are imbued with a tremendous sense of occasion, the RIAS players clearly inspired by their charismatic maestro, playing with gusto and delicacy – superb!
Both works were recorded in the rich acoustics of Berlin’s Jesus Christus-Kirche, the former on 8 September 1953 and the latter on 14 September 1954. These recordings were produced by Wolfgang Lohse and engineered by Karl Heinz Westphal (No. 95) and Gerhard Henjes (No. 98).
There are very brief liner notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket, the space instead being given over to full-color reproductions of other albums in DG’s “Collection” series. The rear side of the jacket also carries the publication date of June 1964. The charming cover art 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 laminated jacket is VERY GOOD. There is light edgewear, more so at corners and a few minor instances of creasing. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, a very good collector's copy.
The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Although surfaces are not absolutely 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.