Makanowitzky/Lee: Bach 6 Violin Sons BWV 1014-1019 - (2LPs) Lumen LD 3.437/8

$

995

PLEASE NOTE:

My store policy of providing a 15% refund to any customer who buys 2 or more items does not apply to this item. This is a stand-alone item. You are welcome to buy other items, but the 15% refund will not be applied to this sale, only to the other items you might buy.

ITEM DESCRPTION:

This beautiful and exceedingly rare 2LP set from Lumen (LD 3.437/8, French pressing, green/silver label, 2 individual LPs/ 2 laminated jackets, box missing, stereo) features Paul Makanowitzky and Noël's superlative traversal of Bach's Six Sonatas for Violin and Keyboard BWV 1014-1019, recorded in Paris in 1958 – this set would win the 1959 Grand Prix du Disque. Incidentally, Lee plays a modern concert grand. The well-balanced sound is superb.

(Please Note: The light blue box that housed the 2 LPs / jackets is missing.)

Included then are the following works of Bach:

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 1 in B minor BWV 1014

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 2 in A Major BWV 1015

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 3 in E Major BWV 1016

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 4 in C minor BWV 1017

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 5 in F minor BWV 1018

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 6 in G Major BWV 1019

On the website of the superb historical CD label Doremi, which recently issued the complete cycle on CD, one can find this biographical sketch of Makanowitzki:

"Born in Stockholm to Russian parents on 20 June, 1920, Paul Makanowitzky began violin studies at age four as a pupil of Ivan Galamian - who taught at the Russian Conservatory in Paris from 1924 to 1937 - and with Jacques Thibaud. Makanowitzky's recital début in 1929 in Salle Gaveau, Paris, astonished the music world. Critics wrote that 'the public expected a well-rehearsed puppet, and discovered a true musician.' He was dubbed a prodigy among prodigies. What was most striking in the plethora of praise that followed his appearances throughout Europe were phrases rarely associated with child performers: 'stupefying authority', 'remarkable elegance', 'sensitivity', 'authority', 'purity of style.' Makanowitzky made his New York début in 1937. In 1942, still a Swedish subject, Makanowitzky volunteered, to the consternation of his managers and Galamian, to fight for America in World War II. At war's end, Makanowitzky returned to the violin, rebuilding his career as a soloist and was soon engaged by USA leading orchestras under Pierre Monteux, Paul Paray, Vladimir Golschmann and Serge Koussevitzky among others. In 1954, Makanowitzky met Noël Lee. As a duo they concertized extensively between 1954 and 1964. The Boston Herald's P. C. Brooks praised them as ' the best ensemble playing to be found anywhere in the world.' The duo recorded all the Bach, Beethoven and Brahms violin & piano sonatas. In 1966, Makanowitzky accepted teaching posts at the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute and the Meadowmount School of Music. He was also a visiting professor at Brandeis University, Toho-Gaukuen in Tokyo and the Royal Conservatory in Toronto. He retired from performing in 1967 and joined the strings faculty of the University of Michigan where he served until 1983. He died on 24 February, 1998 in Freeport, Maine."

Incidentally, the liner notes (with musical examples) on the reverse sides of the jackets, in French only, were written by Claude Rostand.

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 2 laminated jackets is VERY GOOD throughout. There is edgewear, more so at corners, as well as bumping at corners, some creasing, and mild discoloration to the rear panels. However, there are no seamsplits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects and the two jackets remain solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive in appearance – overall, these rate as very good collector's copies.

The condition of the 2 LP is VERY GOOD throughout. The surfaces are not CD silent – there is light surface noise and a few odd tics (nothing repetitive), as well as some momentary distortion at the beginning of Side 4. Overall, however, the playback remains solid and enjoyable, Makanowitzky’s violin sounding with great clarity and presence. Nonetheless, if you require a MINT or near-MINT, or even excellent copy, then please do not buy this set. In summary, these rate as very good collector’s copies. Both LPs have been professionally and very carefully cleaned.

PLEASE NOTE:

The photos provided are of this actual copy – they are not stock photos or photos taken from another source – bid with confidence!

PAYMENT:

Payment must be made within 7 days of the auction's close. PayPal is greatly preferred; any bank transfers must be made to my bank in the USA, absolutely no exceptions (transfer must be made in dollars and the buyer is responsible for any and all fees). There are no other payment methods I will accept.

SHIPPING:

This particular item will be sent by certified airmail via the Spanish Postal System. This will be paid by myself (the seller). I would prefer to insure it for the full amount. Those concerned about customs duties, please let me know, but given the value and rarity of this set, I personally prefer to insure it and declare full value. This set is extraordinarily rare, and I strongly doubt highly I will ever see another copy in my lifetime.

FEEDBACK:
I will promptly leave feedback for all buyers. Please do not leave negative, or even neutral, feedback without first giving me an opportunity to resolve any dissatisfaction you might have with an item or transaction. I do understand that, on occasion, a buyer might believe the item description to be inaccurate or that a buyer may be disappointed in some other way regarding the sale. I promise I will do my very best to resolve any unhappiness you've experienced in your buying experience with me to your complete satisfaction. Thank you.

REFUNDS:
Returns are honored, and any buyer who makes a return will be refunded in full. On this particular item, the return must be initiated with 7 days of receipt of the LPs. If returned, this item must be sent back in exactly the same manner - carefully packaged and sent by certified airmail (with a tracking number). The buyer bears the full cost of any and all return expenses. Please contact me before making a return.

Please see my other classical LP and CD auctions, and feel free to write with any questions, I'll be glad to help.