Karajan: R. Strauss Ein Heldenleben (rec. 1959) - DG SLPM 138 025 ("Red Stereo")

$

31

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This handsome LP – in a “Red Stereo” jacket – from Deutsche Grammophon (SLPM 138 025, German pressing, AH tulip label, stereo, original inner sleeve included) features Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker’s resplendent account of Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben Op. 40, with BPO Concertmaster Michel Schwalbé the charismatic soloist.

 

Recorded in the rich acoustics of the Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, on 2 March 1959, this remains a landmark in the Strauss discography, still among the finest versions ever put to disc.

 

Reviewing a later re-issue of this performance, The Gramophone wrote in its August 1976 review:

 

“This is a most distinguished performance of Ein Heldenleben. It was warmly praised by DC when it was first issued in December 1959 and it remains, both as a performance and as a recording, a version to reckon with... [violinist] Michel Schwalbé...in the 1959 recording, is quite outstandingly good... Karajan's 1959 Ein Heldenleben is a glowingly self-contained performance, gloriously played, finely characterized. The love music, the battle, the works of peace (so difficult to balance, even Kempe goes awry here in his HMV set, 6/74) and the E flat major coda are all done with much style and the very finest kind of musicianship. Just what a Berlin Heldenleben ought to be.”

 

There are fine liner notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket, printed in German, English, French, and Spanish. The striking cover photo of Karajan is credited to the Berliner Philhamoniker. The jacket carries the publication date of May 1963.

 

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 edgewear, shelfwear, and mild ringwear to the rear panel. However, there are no seamsplits, owners' markings, or other defects and the album remains very solid, bright, glossy, and attractive – a very good collector's copy.

 

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

PLEASE NOTE:
This LP has been carefully cleaned using a VPI cleaning machine. All LPs are provided with a new Nagaoka (or Nagaoka-style) inner sleeve. The images I've provided are of the actual item you are potentially bidding on - these are not stock images or images I've taken from other sites. Bid with confidence!

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