Karajan: Mozart Symphony K 543 + Clarinet Concerto K 622 (with Walton) - FCX 740

Jacket EX / LP VG+

This beautiful and rare LP from Columbia (FCX 740, French pressing, blue/silver label, dowel spine, "baguette"-style jacket, mono, booklet missing) features the young Herbert von Karajan conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra in an outstanding all-Mozart program.

The exact discographic details are as follows:

Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major K. 543

(rec. at EMI Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, London, in June 1955)

Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A Major K. 622

> with Bernard Walton, clarinet

(rec. at EMI Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, London, in June 1955)

Karajan behaves himself here and does not indulge in the over-moulding or over-refinement of the string textues, all keep pointed and vital. If Walton does not eclipse Jack Brymer's recording with Beecham, he runs him close – a very fine performance; the sound is first rate throughout.

Alas, the small booklet that originally accompanied this album is missing.

CONDITION – PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY:

The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.

The condition of the heavy cardboard "baguette"-style jacket is EXCELLENT++. There is minor discoloration, but really that is all. Otherwise, the album appears almost like new. There are no bends, seamsplits, or other defects, and the album remains extremely solid, bright, and highly attractive – overall, a very fine collector's copy.

The condition of the dowel spine is EXCELLENT. The paper sleeve shows some aging, but the dowel is solid and legible – overall, an excellent copy.

The condition of the LP itself is VERY GOOD. Visually, there are small circular stickers to the label on each side. In terms of sound, although the surfaces are not absolutely silent, this is a fine copy and the playback is excellent. However, If you must have flawless or NM surfaces then please do not buy this LP. Overall, this rates as a very good collector's copy.