Szeryng: Bach Solo Violin Sonatas & Partitas: DG 2709 028 (3LP box), NM

Box NM / LPs NM-

This lovely 3 LP box set – a superb collector’s copy – from Deutsche Grammophon (2709 028, German pressing, white circle label, stereo, full-size 12-page booklet included) features Henryk Szeryng's Olympian readings of Bach's Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin BWV 1001-1006 – landmarks in the Bach discography and among the supreme statements on record of these remarkable masterpieces for unaccompanied violin.

PLEASE NOTE:

I have sold copies of this title on 3 separate occasions and this is far and away the best copy I have ever sold, or even seen – remarkably fine.

Winner of the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque, Szeryng's set was recorded in the warm acoustics of the Théâtre Municipal, Vevey, France, from 8-20 July 1967 (producer: Vittorio Negri / engineer: A. Buczynski).

Included then are the following works:

Sonata No. 1 for Solo Violin in G minor BWV 1001

Partita No. 1 for Solo Violin in B minor BWV 1002

Sonata No. 2 for Solo Violin in A minor BWV 1003

Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin in D minor BWV 1004

Sonata No. 3 for Solo Violin in C Major BWV 1005

Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin in E Major BWV 1006

Szeryng's traversal received a mixed review from The Gramophone (see below), but – in my humble opinion – their critic on that occasion simply did not understand Szeryng’s approach. For me, his playing is imbued with a supreme sense of architecture and a penetrating imagination. Even if you have another favorite set, there are so many felicitous touches and moments of insight throughout Szeryng's cycle that it stands as one of the most majestic and highly individual accounts ever recorded.

Incidentally, the box front carries the portrait of Bach executed by E.G. Hausmann.

An added bonus is the excellent 14-page booklet, with outstanding notes on the music by Günter Kleinen, a fine appreciation of Szeryng's artistry, two musical illustrations, and a strking black and white portrait of Szeryng. All texts are in provided in German, English, and French.

CONDITION:

The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.

The condition of the heavy cloth box box is near-MINT. There is very mild discoloration along the edges, but that is all. Otherwise, the box appears amost as new. There are no corner breaks, seamsplits, owners' markings, or other defects and the box remains solid, bright, and highly attractive – a lovely collector's copy.

The condition of the full-size 12-page booklet is near-MINT. There is minuscule wear at corners, but that is all. Otherwise, all is bright, crisp, and attractive – a fine collector’s copy.

The condition of the 3 LPs is near-MINT throughout. I believe the copy to be unplayed, or perhaps played once. Visually, there are no spindle trails nor any scratches. In terms of sound, although surfaces are not absolutely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT), really these are very fine copies and playback is truly superb across all 6 sides. However, if you must have absolutely perfect surfaces, then please do not buy this set. Overall, these rate as truly fine collector's copies.