EMI BTR/2.
Hungarian violinist Johanna Martzy (October 26, 1924 – August 13, 1979) was renowned for her extraordinary artistry and refined interpretations. Born in Timișoara, Romania (then part of Hungary), Martzy began playing the violin at the age of six. Her remarkable talent quickly became evident, and she went on to study under the esteemed teacher Jenő Hubay at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, graduating with top honours at just 17 years old.
Original Columbia sleeve.
EMI BTR/2 incorporating later EMI BTR/2 preamplifier.
Martzy passed away from cancer at the age of 54 in Zurich, Switzerland. Despite her relatively short career, she left behind an enduring legacy of exquisite musicianship. Her 10 studio albums from the 1950s, including this Brahms Violin Concerto featured here, have achieved near-mythical status among music enthusiasts, cementing her place in the annals of violin history.
Original mono master tapes.
The original 1950s Columbia mono master tapes (pictured above) for the Martzy Brahms are of open spool format with a large non standard diameter. This extended tape was not compatible with our Lyrec SV8 tape machine. Fortunately, the tapes did fit comfortably on our EMI BTR/2 mono tape machine (pictured).
EMI BTR/2 (front panel).
Cut directly from the original dedicated mono analog master tapes, through our unique all valve hybrid EMI BTR/2 and 1965 Ortofon / Lyrec vinyl cutting lathe in True Mono*. No equalisation, compression or any other processing was added during the cutting process.
All sleeve artwork made by hand and authentically letter-pressed on a 1963 Heidelberg SB.This edition of 300 copies is priced at £395.00 UK pounds. Order here.
*Where everything in the chain from the tape head, the tape pre-amplifier, the cutting amplifier and the dedicated mono cutter head is a single channel pathway: This early technology avoids phase issues (smearing of the sound) that is frequently encountered when cutting with todays dual” or “pseudo” mono cutting systems.
