Gui/Florence SO: Finlandia, Sorcerer's Apprentice, et al. - Camelot CMT 104

Jacket EX / LP NM / US pressing

This handsome and elusive LP from Camelot (CMT 104, US pressing, black/silver label, mono) features little-known “live” recordings by legendary conductor Vittorio Gui leading the Florence Symphony Orchestra in a mixed program recorded in concert circa 1961.

The exact contents are as follows:

Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Richard Strauss (arr. Vittorio Gui): Waltzes from Der Rosenkavalier

Jean Sibelius: Finlandia Op. 26

Jean Sibelius: Valse Triste Op. 44 No. 1

Claude Debussy: Prélude à l'après d'un faune

Gui is much more readily associated with the opera house than the concert hall, and his renditions of operas by Rossini and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro remain touchstone recordings. A number of symphonic programs, commercial and otherwise, do document Vittorio Gui the concert conductor and he was no less masterly here. These performances are imbued with a tremendous sense of occasion and the sound is of fine broadcast quality.

There are liner notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket, printed in English only. The lovely cover design is similarly uncredited.

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 EXCELLENT. There is mild discoloration and slight bumping at corners, but that is all. There are no bends, seamsplits, owners' markings, or other defects, and the jacket remains solid, bright, and highly attractive – overall, an excellent collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Although surfaces are not completely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT), this is a fine copy and playback is superb. However, if you must have perfect surfaces, then please do not buy this LP – this is a lovely collector's copy.