Paray: Wagner Tristan und Isolde, Parsifal, etc. - Mercury MRL 2531

Jacket VG+ / LP EX This lovely from Mercury (MRL 2531, English pressing, red/silver label, mono – no stereo edition exists, laminated flipback jacket) features Paul Paray and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a glorious all-Wagner program, recorded in the warm acoustics of Orchestra Hall, Detroit in November 1954, an album released in the USA on MG50044. The exact program is as follows: Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman): Overture Parsifal: Good Friday Spell Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod Siegfried: Forest Murmers Though not readily associated with Wagner, Paray and the DSO nevertheless serve up performances rich in drama and vitality, with poetry and panache brought out in equal measure – needless to say, the analog sound is absolutely first class. Incidentally, the signature of the artist who created the lovely cover art appears in the lower-right corner of the design, but I cannot make it out. In addition, here are eloquent liner notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket, printed in English only. 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 minor corner wear and laminate peeling. However, there are no owners’ markings, bends, seamsplits, or other defects, and the jacket remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – overall, this rates as a very good collector's copy. The condition of the LP itself is EXCELLENT. Although surfaces are not perfectly silent, this is a fine copy and the playback remains enjoyable. However, if you must have a flawless or NM copy, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, rates as an excellent collector's copy.