Lot #56: Vintage Classical Cassette Tape Collection - Over 80 Pristine Audiophile Gems from Naxos,

Step into a bygone era of analog elegance with this extraordinary collection of over 80 vintage classical music cassette tapes, meticulously curated for the discerning audiophile and collector. Sourced from legendary labels like Naxos, Philips, CBS, Decca, Sony, and DG, these tapes capture the golden age of classical recordings from the 1980s and 1990s—many featuring cutting-edge digital mastering for superior warmth, depth, and fidelity that digital streaming simply can’t replicate. Whether you’re building a retro hi-fi setup, gifting to a music lover, or chasing nostalgic vibes, this lot is a treasure trove of timeless masterpieces that evoke the romance of Walkmans and boomboxes. Why This Collection Shines: • Quantity & Variety: Over 80 tapes, spanning solo piano virtuosity, orchestral symphonies, chamber ensembles, and vocal operas. From intimate Chopin nocturnes to epic Verdi requiems, it’s a symphony in cassette form—perfect for marathon listening sessions or selective cherry-picking. • Star Composers & Performers: Dive deep into the classics with works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Mozart, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Haydn, Schubert, Verdi, Paganini, Schumann, Handel, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Prokofiev, Mahler, and more. Iconic artists include Vladimir Horowitz (Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2), Leonard Bernstein & New York Philharmonic (Beethoven Symphonies), Itzhak Perlman (Chopin Nocturnes), Glenn Gould (Bach Italian Concerto), Leonard Slatkin (Holst The Planets), and Joshua Redman Quartet (contemporary jazz-classical fusion). • Standout Highlights (just a sampling—full inventory available upon request): • Piano Powerhouses: Liszt Piano Music Vols. 1-5 (Naxos, 8.553xx series), Chopin 26 Preludes + 4 Impromptus (Philips 422-483-2), Chopin Studies & 4 Ballades (CBS), Beethoven Piano Concertos 2 & 5 “Emperor” (Kissin/Levins, SK 62726). • Orchestral Epics: Holst The Planets (Slatkin/St. Louis SO, R2 70172), Mahler Symphony No. 1 “Titan” (various), Ravel/Saint-Saëns Piano Concertos (various), Haydn Symphonies Nos. 94 & 101 “Surprise” & “Clock” (various). • Chamber & Vocal Delights: Brahms String Quartets (various, M6 102), Verdi Messa da Requiem (New York Philharmonic, MX 41872), Boccherini Guitar Quartets (various), Klezmer Chamber Works (Arc Ensemble). • Rare Finds: Paganini Centone di Sonate Vols. 1-2 (Naxos 8.55341/42), The Dave Brubeck Quartet “Time Out” (Columbia Legacy), Scott Joplin Greatest Hits (Decca), and a blue-boxed “Classical” bundle of waltzes, ballads, and scherzos (Privilege/NI 5012). • Condition & Authenticity: All tapes appear to be in excellent, near-mint condition with intact cases, vibrant artwork, and minimal shelf wear—ideal for playback on vintage decks or modern players. No visible damage, warping, or missing inserts; stored in a climate-controlled environment. These are authentic 1980s-1990s pressings, not modern reissues, adding that authentic analog patina collectors crave. • Nostalgic Appeal: Rediscover the tactile joy of cassettes—the subtle hiss, the flip midway through a symphony, the curated playlists from a bygone boombox era. Perfect for audiophiles upgrading their setup or Gen X/Millennial parents sharing “real” music with kids tired of Spotify algorithms. Pickup category timeslot {B}