Leinsdorf/RPO: Mozart Symphonies Nos. 35, 36 & 37 (rec. May 1955) - Heliodor 478 056

Jacket VG / LP NM / German pressing

This outstanding LP from Heliodor, a license from Westminster (478 056, German DGG pressing, red label, mono) features conductor Erich Leinsdorf and the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London (Beecham’s RPO) in vital and aristocratic performances of 3 Mozart Symphonies (The Westminster catalog number was XWN 18146).

The exact contents are as follows, all works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

Symphony No. 35 in D Major K. 385 “Haffner”

Symphony No. 36 in C Major K. 425 “Linz”

Symphony No. 37 in G Major K. 444

All three works were warmly recorded in May 1955 and sound absolutely splendid here. Although Leinsdorf’s Mozart cycle has never garned the acclaim it deserves, it remains a remarkable achievement, with the often maligned “po-faced” conductor on smiling form.

Incidentally, there are super liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket, in English only, by Irving Kolodin, Music Editor of the Saturday Review.

There are superb liner notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket, printed in English, German, and French. The striking cover art is similarly 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 VERY GOOD. There is visible edgewear and shelfwear, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, owners’ markings, or other defects and the jacket remains solid, bright, glossy, and attractive – overall, a very good collector’s copy.

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Although surfaces are not absolutely 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.