The Master has been implemented with Ampex ATR 102 (Electronic Tube Ampex Model 351 – 1965) 2 tracks, 1/2 inch 30ips modified by David Manley. The Mastering for Vinyl was made by Giulio Cesare Ricci using Signoricci’s analog and valve system. Thanks to Micheli Associati for having granted the “Sala dell’Ermellino” Casa della Musica, Milan for the recording of this album.

Fone’s collaboration with the great violinist Salvatore Accardo which began 29 years ago continues. In this project Maestro Accardo plays with the violinist Laura Gorna and pianist Maria Grazia Bellocchio.

For this prestigious recording I used the legendary original Neumann U47, U48 tube microphones We use pairs of Neumann tube microphones from the years 1947 and 1949 with a very natural tone using field effect bi-microphone techniques. These microphones have an important history: they are in fact the original microphones used to record, among others, the Beatles performances in the Abbey Road Studio and by RCA for the “Living Stereo” recordings. The sound I can capture with these legendary microphones is perfectly in line with my sonic taste. No other microphone has such a true timbre and the ability to engrave all the nuances of sound and all the richness of the harmonics.

The uniqueness of these microphones is linked to their ability to make a perfect “sound photograph” and to put the music perfectly placed in the sound space chosen for the recording. I made the mastering for Vinyl using Signoricci’s analog and valve system. A “state of the art” system without sound manipulation, equalization, reverb, compression and expansion … but natural sound and true timbre to best enhance the acoustics of the Auditorium of the Sala dell’Ermellino. fonè has been offering for almost 40 years recordings made in the name of technological refinement and aimed at recovering the original musical atmospheres. The result of this recording is fantastic. With this recording I wanted to give the listener a unique experience.

It is as if the listener were sitting on an armchair positioned in the ideal point in the Sala dell’Ermellino. In this position the sound has a field effect and its depth, width and height are very noticeable.

Great dynamics and great precision. An album not to be missed!

– Giulio Cesare Ricci

Salvatore Accardo – Violin
Laura Gorna – Violin
Maria Grazia Bellocchio – Piano

SIDE A

Sonata in do magg. for 2 Violins Op. 56
Andante cantabile                     3’16”
Allegro                                       3’20”
Commodo (quasi Allegretto)     4’09”
Allegro con brio                         6’05”

Sonata n. 1 in fa min. for Violin and Piano Op. 80
Andante assai                           7’30”

Total Time 24’20”

SIDE B

Sonata n. 1 in fa min. for Violin and Piano Op. 80
Allegro brusco                                              7’37”
Andante                                                        8’07”
Allegrissimo – Andante assai, come prima   8’08”

Total Time 23’52”