Toscanini/Hague PO: Haydn Clock Sym. + Dukas, et al. - dell'Arte DA 9007

Jacket VERY GOOD+ / LP EX / UK pressing

This fascinating LP from dell’Arte (DA 9007, English pressing, green label, mono, insert included) features legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini’s only recorded appearance with Hague Philharmonic Orchestra (Het Residentie-Orkest), a remarkable occasion recorded at De Doelen “live” in concert on 22 March 1938.

The exact program is as follows:

Luigi Cherubini: Overture to Anacréon

Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 101 in D Major “Clock”

Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

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

These performances are imbued with a tremendous sense of occasion, the Dutch players clearing responding to their charismatic guest conductor. Toscanini seems more relaxed here than in his NBC Symphony Orchestra broadcasts and recordings and the sound, if calling for some tolerance, is nonetheless perfectly enjoyable.

Included is a full-size insert with informative liner notes by Thomas Heinitz, printed in both Dutch and English. The memorable cover photo was taken by Leo Thaanen, who was then principal trumpet of the Hague Philharmonic and played under Toscanini’s direction during this concert.

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 VERY GOOD+. There is light edgewear, more so at corners, as well as mild discoloration to the rear panel. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, and highly attractive – overall, a very good collector’s copy.

The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Please note: Any surface noise heard on this LP stems from the original glass acetates. Surfaces are not silent, but this is no reflection of the condition of the LP – it is from the source material and the transfer work. This is a truly fine copy, but I am grading it as EX (vs. NM) to compensate for the inherent surface noise.