What type of CD collector are you?

[Mark]

Thought I'd revive an old poll of mine on this new forum. It got some interesting responses last time - I'm sure it'll get many more now that we also have many new members.


It occurs to me that we classical CD collectors tend to fall into a number of different categories. It might be interesting to conduct a survey of forum members about which one of the following six categories they believe they belong to. These categories were originally devised by me as a bit of fun. They're certainly NOT exhaustive (please use the 'Other' option if you wish to post your own category and give us an explanation of why you belong to it), and are only intended as broad generalisations.

As before, I look forward to reading your posts on this and seeing how the poll develops. There were 60 votes cast last time.

Incidentally, I'm the EXPLORATIVE type!


OBSESSIVE

This type just doesn't know when to stop. Having 16 different recordings of an obscure work - as well as countless more of the core repertoire - is never enough, and this type will continue to collect dozens more interpretations. Point out their obssession, and they'll give you as many good arguments as they have copies of Sibelius' complete symphonies ... which is a lot.

COMPREHENSIVE

Once this type identifies a composer or composers whose work they love, they'll move heaven and earth to collect such composers' entire output on disc. They may well LIKE other composers; but they'll only show a devotion to collecting the complete works of those they LOVE. They may also border on obssession in acquiring as many different recordings of works by their preferred composers.

0:) DEFINITIVE

The first of two discerning types. They won't add any CDs to their collection unless various trusted reviews and their own listening experience convinces them that such discs might be considered 'definitive'. If they already own what they consider to be a first-rate recording, and this is then surpassed for them by another, they'll often debate whether to keep the former disc in their collection.

EXPLORATIVE

Such types certainly love great recordings and performances, but are more interested in collecting the broadest range of musical styles and works in an effort to experience as much as possible before they meet their maker. They'll be tempted by the latest recording of a work they already own and love, and might even buy it. But they'll almost certainly get sidetracked by something more obscure ...

SELECTIVE

The second discerning type. These collectors don't consider themselves 'serious' at all. Instead, they prefer to cherry pick only those CDs that really spark their interest. Having a complete symphony cycle doesn't necessarily interest them, if only No. 7 pleases their ear. And when it comes to particular recordings, they'll go with gut feeling as often as they'll take the advice of a good review.

IMPULSIVE

This type buys infrequently and without too much regard for what they're buying. They see a work by almost any composer that looks interesting, and without taking a moment more to think about it, they're on their way to the checkout. It doesn't bother them in the least that they'll probably not listen to their purchases above a handful of times.

[orbital]

[ SELECTIVE

The second discerning type. These collectors don't consider themselves 'serious' at all. Instead, they prefer to cherry pick only those CDs that really spark their interest. Having a complete symphony cycle doesn't necessarily interest them, if only No. 7 pleases their ear. And when it comes to particular recordings, they'll go with gut feeling as often as they'll take the advice of a good review.

Probably this. I don't consider my collection or anything else about me for that matter 'serious' at all.

[Solitary Wanderer]

 0:)DEFINITIVE

The first of two discerning types. They won't add any CDs to their collection unless various trusted reviews and their own listening experience convinces them that such discs might be considered 'definitive'. If they already own what they consider to be a first-rate recording, and this is then surpassed for them by another, they'll often debate whether to keep the former disc in their collection.

A cross between this and  ;)SELECTIVE

[Mametesque]

Great question. I consider myself an "explorative" collector with leanings towards "obsessive"! I've only been collecting for five years and have accumulated around 200 albums in that period. That might not be a lot for some, but for me that's a pretty healthy sum, considering I'm still a student (phd candidate). For many years I collected film music (and still do), but slowly I began exploring classical composers such as Bruckner, R. Strauss, Mahler, Beethoven, Brahms...and the list kept growing. In some sense, each composer linked with another that I *had* to explore. Once I was bit by a certain composer, I investigated a large portion of their works to see what appealed to me.

I believe I read here once that classical music collecting is a wonderful hobby because there's always something new to discover: a recording, a composer, a style. I still feel I've only scratched the surface...and look forward to listening in the years to come.

Right now I'm working my way through Robert Simpsons' symphonies and am really enjoying them.

[Mark]

Thanks to all so far for sharing.

Right now I'm working my way through Robert Simpsons' symphonies and am really enjoying them.

Not familiar with Simpson. Which symphony would you recommend as a starting point?

[Novi]

Impoverished-explorative!

[Choo Choo]

I voted "Other", because I would classify myself as

  ERRATIC

My "collection" (if I can dignify it with that name) has both depth (in some places) and breadth (in others) - but damned if I can see any consistency to it.

[Heather Harrison]

Explorative is probably the best description for me; my overall goal is to hear as much variety as possible.  I try to collect examples of as many different time periods and styles as possible, and I have amassed a collection of thousands of CDs and records in the process.  This extends outside of classical music; in the broad, vague genre of world music, my pattern is also explorative.  I have collected music from as many countries, regions, and ethnic groups as I can possibly find.

Two of the other categories fit to some degree.  When I find a particular piece that I really like, I border on obsessive.  While I don't, as a general rule, collect multiple performances (beyond two or three), I have collected numerous performances of a few pieces.  The latest in this category are Mahler's Third and Fourth Symphonies, and looking to the future, I see the possibility that Elgar's symphonies might get into this category.  Past examples (which may become active again at any time) are Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, Beethoven's symphonies, and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

At times, the impulsive label also fits.  It isn't entirely unusual for me to see something in a store and buy it on impulse.  As would be expected, results are mixed, but I have picked up some of my favorite recordings this way, so I will likely keep doing it.  I'm especially apt to do this when going through cheap used CDs or LPs; when the price is low, I am more willing to buy recordings without thinking about it much.

Heather

[hornteacher]

I'm half way between "Selective" and "Definitive"

[Gurn Blanston]

Guess I'm the only "Comprehensive" in the list so far. That's OK, it's what works for me. While I don't suffer from "multiple recorditis", the only duplicate performances I have ARE in the composers that I am comprehensive with, so I guess it still applies.

Did I ever mention that I have the complete works of Mozart & Beethoven?  And I don't mean the big box set, either...

[beclemund]

I impulsively purchase selectively explored CDs...

Basically, I'm all over the place with opera, but for everything I buy, I thoroughly seek out reviews and listen to clips (or whole albums from the library or record store if available) because I don't want to spend money on something that I'll listen to once then want to give away. And I like to explore a variety of conductors and performers for a given work... I have duplicates many operas whether they be in DVD or CD because different takes keep them fresh for me... and as far as symphonic music goes, I can never get enough of Bruckner. Multiple readings of his multitude of versions keep me thoroughly engaged.

[BachQ]

Chipmunk.

I store up CDs into a huge pile, and then, when the time is right, I listen. 

Store up ......  Listen. 

Store up ....... Listen.

[Bonehelm]

Selective - I started buying only Mahler's music.

[sunnyside_up]

  COMPREHENSIVE - mostly. I am trying to acquire a complete collection of J. S. Bach - but I don't exclude other composers. Lately I'm concentrating on the cantatas and have maybe half his cantata output (with many multiple versions); the only genre that isn't represented well in my Bach collection is the organ works (they just don't flip my switches as much).

[Steve]

Like at least one other person on this thread, I fall somewhere between the two 'discerning' types. While I am definetely interested in broadening my collection, I will rarely buy before I have read several reviews, consulted a trusted friend (either here or elswhere), and have subjected it to a critical listen. So, I'm probably closer to the first of those two types, Definitive. 

[Symphonien]

I voted explorative. But since I can't afford to buy multiple recordings, I try to be "definitive" with my choice of recording as I explore the works of as many composers as possible.

[Josquin des Prez]

I'm both an explorer and a consummate discerner. I like to know what's out there down to the last minutiae, but once i'm satisfied with my survey i engage in extensive downsizing.

[anasazi]

I think I am somewhere in one of the final three categories, impulsive, selective, explorative.  I just can't really dicide.  My interests in music are more than classical and include jazz, pop and pretty much anything I can't live without.  I turned the big 60 last year, and I'm still trying to figure myself out.

[val]

Selective. I always try to buy Cd with interpreters I usually like, works of value that are missing in my collection, or do it because of critics I saw and trust.
But sometimes I discover too late that the work or the interpreter are very inferior to what I had expected. In this case, I give the CD to friends less exigents.

[springrite]

Where is the "All of the Above" button? Without that, you are ruling quite a few people I know here out of the poll!


As for me, mostly explorative. Depending on my mood and financial situation, I may explore obsessively, comprehensively, definitively, selectively or impulsively.