Beths/de Leeuw: Stravinsky "Chanson Russe" - BVHAAST 039
$
35
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
ITEM DESCRIPTION:
This fascinating LP from BV Haast Records (BVHAAST 039, Dutch pressing, blue/silver label, stereo) entitled “Chanson Russe” features violinist Vera Beths and pianist Reinbert de Leeuw in 8 different versions of Parasha’s Aria from Stravinsky’s Mavra, recorded in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on 24 June 1981. This is the type of concept album one finds with ECM.
Wrote critic Thom Jurek for Rovi:
“The Chanson Russe is an adaptation of the aria of the character Parasha, a Russian maid in Igor Stravinsky’s opera entitled Mavra. The transcription for violin and piano was written by composer Samuel Dushkin in 1937. Based on a Russian folk song, the "song" portion is rather brief, written in A-minor and with a standard 4/4 time signature that covers a little over four minutes. The idea for Reinbert de Leeuw and Vera Beths was to create an operatic work of the "Chanson Russe" in and of itself by playing the piece multiple times, changing the mute on each round. Thus, the work is played eight times with that transmission of intent and method taking place in each fresh rendition. A work of haunting, hunted beauty, it feels like memory, loss, grief, and longing folded into a suitcase of wistful melancholy. Short melody lines, resembling folk dances and peasant anthems, are juxtaposed against a chromatic palette of pianistic harmonics that recall Chopin's "Nocturnes" and Debussy's "Preludes." Woven together in a standard meter, they offer differing sides of a lyrical and harmonic equation that add up to an emotional stirring, the likes of which are equated with unencumbered, drastically prolonged reverie. Indeed, given that the pieces are played in such close proximity to one another, they feel like verses in an epic song or tone poem, or even a round whose depth of feeling becomes relentless and unforgiving over time, yet remains completely seductive. The work is played with restraint and aplomb by the duo; they prefer to let the music speak for itself over and again with little adornment because none whatsoever is needed. This work is emotionally loaded and musically so simple and graceful, it whispers its tears to the heart of the listener and seeks them at the same time.”
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 EXCELLENT. There is slight bumping at corners, as well as minor edgewear, but that is all. There are no bends, seamsplits, owners' markings, other defects and the album remains very solid, bright, glossy, and very attractive in appearance – overall, an excellent collector's copy.
The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Although the surfaces are not completely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT), really this is a very fine copy and playback is superb. However, if you must have absolutely perfect surfaces, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, this rates as a lovely collector's copy.
PLEASE NOTE:
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!
PAYMENT:
Payment by PayPal is greatly preferred. Payment should be made within 5 days.
SHIPPING:
Shipping is free to anywhere in the world; this is true regardless of the number of LPs you buy, be it 1 or a 100. All LPs will be sent via standard airmail (7-10 days delivery). Note: There is no tracking number provided with standard airmail. Should you wish to have your item(s) sent via certified airmail (i.e., with a tracking number), please contact me. The fee for this $5.00 USD.
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 you makes a return will be refunded in full. 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.
price rating
