Ayo: Vivaldi "Trial of Harmony & Invention" - Philips 6747 311 (3LP box)

$

33

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This lovely 3LP box set – a superb collector’s copy – from Philips (6747 311, Dutch pressing, blue/silver labels, stereo, booklet included) features Felix Ayo’s magnificent account of the 12 Violin Concerti comprising Antonio Vivaldi’s “Il Cimento dell’Armonia e dell’Invenione” (“The Trial of Harmony and Invention”) Op. 8, which includes the evergreen “Four Seasons”, made with the crack ensemble I Musici at the Ateneo Antoniano, Rome, in September 1961.

Joining Ayo and I Musici for these memorable performances was Maria Teresa Garatti on harpsichord and organ. The sound is absolutely first rate – warm and crystal clear.

Wrote the superb critic Michael Jameson for MusicWeb-International:

“The famous 1961 recording of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" by I Musici with Felix Ayo as violin soloist is one of the longest-standing versions of this grossly over-subscribed work. It's also one of the best, sounding fresh and brightly-lit in this latest Philips transfer. Ensemble playing is polished, refined, and fluent. Ayo's solo work is distinguished by pliant, firm tone and a virtuoso technique that's tastefully employed to suit the varied stylistic needs of the music. I Musici never set out to be "authentic", but the moderate use of vibrato, subtle ornamentation, and abrupt reaction to dynamic changes keep the ear constantly attentive. I Musici's account is particularly good on literary/programmatic associations, so if you want to hear the music in the context of the picturesque sonnets found in the score, this might be one of your best options. For example, you'll easily register the barking dog imitated by the solo viola in the slow movement of "Spring". "Summer"'s final presto is taken very fast indeed, and "Autumn" achieves a nicely-sprung "hunting" rhythm in its closing section. A fine version, also well recorded.”

Incidentally, the lovely cover illustration reproduces Giuseppe Zais’ “Landscape with a group of figures fishing”, held in the collection of the National Gallery, London.

Included is a full-size, 4-page booklet with extensive notes (uncredited) on the music, printed in German and English only.

CONDITION:

The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.

The condition of the box is near-MINT. Really, there are no flaws to speak of and the box appears virtually as new. There are no corner breaks, seamsplits, bends, owners’ markings, or other defects, and the box remains solid, bright, glossy, and highlly attractive– overall, a very fine collector’s copy.

The condition of the 4-page full-size booklet is EXCELLENT. It betrays slight handling, but that is all – a fine copy.

The condition of the 3 LPs is near-MINT throughout and playback in all 3 is superb – overall, these are truly fine collector's copies.

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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REFUNDS:
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