Laredo: Mendelssohn Op. 64 & Bruch Op. 26 Violin Concertos - German RCA VIC 1033

Jacket VG+

LP EX

German pressing (red/silver label)

This fine LP from RCA (VIC-1033, German Teldec · Telefunken-Decca pressing, red/silver label, mono) features Jaime Laredo in wonderfully captivating accounts of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64 and Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 26. These peformances can withstand the most exalted comparisons and it remains a mystery why this superlative violinist was not recorded more during his prime. Hopefully, RCA will see fit to re-issue his other discs and that 'live' and/or broadcast recordings will surface as well.

The exact discographic details are as follows:

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64

> with Charles Munch conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra

(rec. at Symphony Hall, Boston on 24 December 1964)

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 26

> with Howard Mitchell conducting the National Symphony Orchestra

(rec. @ 1960)

Incidentally, this lovely German pressing offers medium-weight vinyl, and is not the thin, floppy vinyl one might imagine – an outstanding issue of these performances.

The reverse side of the jacket carries informative liner notes (uncredited) – provided in German, English, and French. The lovely cover photo was taken by Hubert Raab.

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+. There is light edgewear and ringwear, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, bends, or owners’ markings, and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and very attractive in appearance – overall, a very good collector’s copy.

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Although the surfaces are not perfectly silent, really this is a fine copy and playback is superb, close to NM. If you must have a flawless or NM copy, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, rates as an excellent collector's copy.