Fricsay/BPO: Beethoven Symphony No. 5 (rec. 1961) - DG LPM 18 813 (tulips, mono)

Jacket VG+ / Vinyl NM (German pressing)

This handsome LP from Deutsche Grammophon (LPM 18 813, German pressing, AH tulip label, mono features conductor Ference Fricsay and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s powerful account of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67, recorded in the rich acoustics of Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, on 25 September 1961.

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In reviewing DG’s CD re-issue of the conductor’s complete recorded legacy for the yellow label, the wonderful critic Jed Distler wrote for ClassicsToday:

“Ferenc Fricsay’s tragically early death at 48 from stomach cancer in 1963 robbed the world of a great artist and formidable conductor at the peak of his powers…The lyrical poetry and tensile soft playing in the Fifth’s Andante justify Fricsay’s unusually expansive tempo.”

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This album was produced by Hans Ritter and engineered by Gunther Hermanns. There are insightful notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket – provided in German, English, and French. The striking cover design is uncredited. The jacket carries a publication date of 7/65.

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+. The only flaw barring a NM grading concerns a small bend / wear to the upper-right corner, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, bends, owners' markings or other faults, and the jacket remains perfectly solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive in appearance – 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.