Gregory Strings: To the Memory of Kreisler" - Fontana 886 149 TY "full stereo"

Jacket EX / LP NM / UK pressing

This beautiful and rare LP from Fontana (886 149 TY, English pressing, black/silver “full stereo” label, laminated flipback jacket) entitled “To the Memory of Kreisler” features The Gregory Strings in a lovely homage to the great violinist and composer in the form of 12 transcriptions for string orchestra of his most celebrated compositions, all arrangements made by Johnny Gregory.

The exact track list is as follows, all compositions by Fritz Kreisler:

Liebesfreud

Rondino on a Theme of Beethoven

Schön Rosmarin

Alte Refrain

Tambourin Chinois

Liebeslied

Caprice Viennoise

Danse Espagnole

Polchinelle

Shepherd’s Madrigal

Marche Miniature Viennoise

Stars in My Eyes

These wonderful performances are imbued with an Old World Viennese charm that is hard to resist and they are not marred by an over-sweetening of the mix.

This album was produced by Jack Baverstock and engineered by Peter Olliff. There are engaging liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by John Gregory himself. The striking cover design is uncredited.

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 some wear along the open edge and a former price sticker to the rear panel, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, bends, owners' markings, or other defects, and the whole remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, an excellent collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Though the surfaces are not perfectly silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT) this is a fine copy and playback is superb. If you must have perfect surfaces, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, this rates as a NM collector's copy.