Furtwangler: Beethoven "Pastorale" - Electrola WALP 1041 (red/gold - ED1)

Jacket EX / LP EX / German pressing

This handsome and rare LP, a fine collector's copy, from His Master's Voice / Electrola (WALP 1041, thick German pressing, original red/gold 'Lang33spiel' Elecrola label, stitched inner sleeve mono) features Wilhelm Furtwangler and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's glorious account of Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F Major Op. 68, recorded 24-25 November and 1 December 1952 in the warm acoustics of Vienna's Musikvereinsaal, a recording produced by Lawrence Collingwood and engineered by Robert Beckett.

There is a strenght and ardor here, particularly in the last movement 'Shepherds' song; cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm' that is truly remarkable – it must be heard.

A note on this particular pressing: the scanned image of the label really doesn't do it justice – it's a beautiful dark red with gold lettering, a thick Electrola pressing – quite lovely.

Incidentally, there are excellent liner notes (uncredited) on the rear panel of the jacket – all texts printed in German 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 EXCELLENT. There are slight bends/creases to the upper-right and lower-right corners, as well as minor edgewear and mild discoloration to the rear panel. However, there are no seamsplits, owners' markings, or other defects and remains very solid and very attractive in appearance – overall, this rates as an excellent collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Though the surfaces are not absolutely silent, really this is a fine copy and the playback is quite superb. Those requiring CD silent surfaces are kindly advised to look elsewhere. Overall, this rates as an excellent collector's copy.