Vivaldi: LE QUATTRO STAGIONI: Molinari, Cetra Soria: 6 Disc Set: 1st Pressing

$

496

Offered here is a recording of historic and aesthetic importance to both scholars and collectors in the field of classical music, and one that is rarely available.

This is the first "proper electronic recording" and the first pressing of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons ("Le Quattro Stagioni"), by conductor and violinist Bernardo Molinari. It is complete as issued by Cetra Soria in the original album, with all six of the 78 RPM double-sided shellac records.

The music was recorded in 1942 with the Orchestra of the Accademia of Cecilia, and since much of the written information is in English, it seems likely that this copy represents the issue intended for distribution in the United States .

From Wikipedia:

"The first recording of The Four Seasons is a matter of some dispute. There is a compact disc of one made by the violinist Alfredo Campoli which is taken from acetates of a French radio broadcast; these are thought to date from early in 1939.[4] The first proper electrical recording was made in 1942 by Bernardino Molinari, and though his adaptation is somewhat different from what we have come to expect from modern performances, it is clearly recognisable. This first recording by Molinari was made for Cetra, issued in Italy and subsequently in the United States on six double-sided 78s in the 1940s. It was then reissued on long-playing album in 1950, and was once again reissued on compact disc.[5]

Not surprisingly, further recordings followed. The next was in 1948 by the violinist Louis Kaufman, mistakenly credited as the 'first' recording, made during the night in New York using 'dead' studio time and under pressure from a forthcoming musicians strike."

THE RECORDINGS:

DISC #1 (BB 2043):

SIDE 1:  VG+  (a few scratches would otherwise make it an EX, but there is a significant scuff along the face taking it to VG+).

SIDE 12:  EX  (light scratches).

DISC #2  (BB 2044):

SIDE 2:   VG+  (a few small/light scratches, some scuffing & faint staining  partway through the beginning, although the grooves underneath are clearly visible). 

SIDE 11: VG+  (scuffs & a few short scratches).

DISC #3: (BB 2045):

SIDE 3:  EX  (limited light scratches/scuffs,  & although few in number, some are relatively long- 3 inches).

SIDE 10: VG+  (one light 2-3" scratch covers about 75% of the face; a 2" scuff over the final half of the recording; a light 3" by .5" stain at the beginning through which the grooves are clearly visible).

DISC #4 (BB 2046):

SIDE 4: VG+ (limited light/thin scuffs/scratches, although one scuff is 2" & another scratch is 3").

SIDE 9:  VG+ (scuffs/scratches).

DISC #5 (BB 2047):

SIDE 5:  EX  (light scratches/scuffs).

SIDE 8:  EX  (light scratches/scuffs, although one is convex to the label, about 2- 3" out from the label, quite thin & about 4" in length).

DISC #6 (BB 2048):

SIDE 6:  EX  (light scratches/scuffs, although one scratch is again convex to the label, about 4" out from the label, quite thin & 4-5" long).

SIDE 7:  EX+  (Side 7 is in the best condition of the 12 sides- limited scratch/scuff evidence).

All the discs have much of their original surface gloss. There are no surface cracks or cracking evident, & the labels show little wear & bright color (see photos).

THE ALBUM COVER:

EX  : There is some edge wear (more so on the bottom edges than the tops). On both the front & back cover, the bottom corners have creasing, & there is some staining on the back cover that is evident in the back cover photo. The binding is tight, the 6 inner sleeves are in fine condition & securely attached to the spine.

The cover is of heavy stock as was the style of the era.

 The gold lettering on the dark green cover color gives this album a richness that is fitting for the first electronic recording of what is arguably the most popular and well-recognized work of Antonio Vivaldi.

RECORD GRADING DESCRIPTION

THIS RECORD IS SIGHT-GRADED ONLY UNDER A BRIGHT LIGHT, IT IS NOT PLAY-GRADED.

AS EACH COLLECTOR MAY HAVE A PREFERENCE AMONG DIFFERENT RECORD CLEANING METHODS, WE HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO CLEAN THIS RECORDING.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CLEAN THIS RECORDING BEFORE PLAYING. RECORDS THAT ARE  DECADES OLD CAN ATTRACT & ACCUMULATE DAMAGING FOREIGN MATERIAL THAT REDUCES SOUND QUALITY. THIS IS NORMALLY EASILY CORRECTED WITH A GOOD CLEANING.

EBAY HAS DESCRIBED SOME OF THE MORE WELL-ACCEPTED CLEANING METHODS, & YOU CAN FIND THESE AT:

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Guide-to-Cleaning-Your-Vinyl-Records/10000000009408734/g.html

SIGHT-GRADING DEFINITIONS;

SEALED: RECORD IS WRAPPED IN PLASTIC & UNOPENED.

NM-: RECORD HAS LITTLE OR NO INDICATION THAT IT HAS BEEN PLAYED.

EX: MINIMAL SIGNS OF USE (LIGHT SCRATCHING/PAPER SCUFFS), BUT IN ALL A RECORD THAT HAS BEEN WELL-CARED FOR.

VG+: LESS CARE THAN EX, LIGHT SCRATCHING OR SCUFFING IS MORE EXTENSIVE. STILL VERY PLAYABLE & WILL LIKELY PROVIDE A QUALITY SOUND.

VG & BELOW: WHILE PLAYABLE, THIS RECORD HAS BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK. OBVIOUS SIGNS OF WEAR & SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE IN A LOW GRADE.  A RECORD GRADED BELOW VG MAY HAVE A VALUE BASED UPON ITS RARITY OR UNIQUENESS.

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