Menuhin/Kurtz: Mendelssohn Op. 64 & Bruch Op. 26 - EMI 063-00156

Jacket EX / LP NM

This superb LP – an as-new collector's copy from EMI (063-00156, German pressing, red dog-in-stamp label, stereo) features Yehudi Menuhin's sublime renditions of Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 26* and Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64, both recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the former with conductor Walter Susskind on 12 September 1956, and the latter with conductor Efrem Kurtz on 30 April 1958.

Menuhin left multiple versions of both works, but these recordings – made in the Kingsway Hall* and EMI’s Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, during the 'Golden Age of Stereo' with what was then arguably the world's finest orchestra – remain quite special even in a discography as vast and distinguished as Menuhin's (both recordings were balanced by Neville Boyling).

Of an EMI CD re-issue of these performances the veteran critic Ivan March wrote in his review for the November 1991 issue of The Gramophone:

“Both project vividly. Menuhin is in first-class form and Kurtz sparkles to match his soloist in the finale of the latter work. On CD the recording, always very brightly lit on LP, seems excessively brilliant and I found the forwardly balanced solo line tiring on the ear.”

Incidentally, the striking cover photo of Menuhin was taken by Roberto Patelli. The fine liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket – provided in English and German – were written by Friedrich Herzfeld.

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 near-MINT. There is a slight bit of creasing, but really that is all. There are no bends, seamsplits, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, and highly attractive – a lovely collector's copy.

The condition of the LP is near-MINT and playback is superb – overall, a truly fine collector's copy.