Jakowicz/Maksymiuk: Vivaldi 4 Seasons (rec. 1980) - EMI Eminence EMX 2009

Jacket EX- / LP VG- / UK pressing

This excellent and rather little-known LP from EMI Eminence (EMX 2009, English pressing, white and red/black sash label, stereo) features violinist’s Krzysztof Jakowicz’s shining and vibrant account of Vivaldi’s 'The Four Seasons' Op. 8 Nos. 1-4, from 'The Trial of Harmony and Invention', recorded in 1979 with conductor Jerzy Maksymiuk and the splendid Polish Chamber Orchestra. The sound throughout (produced by Gerd Berg, engineered by Neville Boyling) is warm and well balanced, with a beautiful sheen to it, as is in the music-making.

Incidentally, the cover art reprints “Landscape Near Naples” by T.C. Hoffland, held at the Bridgeman Art Library. The fine liner notes on the reverse are written by Blase Machin.

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 is slight bumping/wear at corners, mostly to the lower-left corner, a former owner’s sticker to the front panel, and a bit of creasing. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, or other defects and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and presentation worthy – overall, an excellent collector’s copy.

The condition of the LP is VERY GOOD-. The surfaces are not CD silent – there is occasional light surface noise and one or two patches of very faint ticking – but in general the playback is superb. Overall, a near-excellent collector's copy.