Linder/Swarowsky: Mozart 4 Horn Concertos - Amadeo AVRS 6164 - superb!

Jacket VG / LP NM / Austrian pressing

This handsome LP from Amadeo (AVRS 6164, Austrian pressing, black/silver label, heavy flat vinyl, mono) features a lesser-known, but not less fine, traversal of Mozart’s 4 Concertos for Horn and Orchestra, played wonderfully by Albert Linder. He is accompanied in sterling fashion by veteran conductor Hans Swarowsky and the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera.

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

            Horn Concerto No. 1 in D Major K. 412

            Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major K. 417

            Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major K. 447

            Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat Major K. 495

Originally recorded and distributed by Vanguard (VSD-2092), these performances were set down in Vienna in 1960.

Incidentally, the striking cover design was executed by Erika Teufenstein, while the photo was taken by Ernst Kloss. There are fine liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Franz Willnauer, printed in German only.

Those unfamilair with Amadeo pressings would do well to investigate them. Theirs was a rich catalog encompassing original recordings and licenses from other labels, including – as was the case here – from the American Vanguard label. Yet, Amadeo issues boasted their own artwork and early releases were pressed on thick flat vinyl, with glossy, fully laminated jackets. They are superb albums in every way.

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 a 1” split to the spine and some wear at corners. However, there are no seamsplits, owners' markings or other defects, and the whole remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, a very good collector's copy.

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Visually, it looks to be VG (there are spindle tails and non-sounding hairline marks. However, whilte 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.