International Record Review - UK Magazine

[Cristofori]

I just picked up my first issue of International Record Review, a periodical devoted to classical recordings published in the UK.

I was surprised and dumbfounded that I had never seen nor heard of this magazine, given my interest in classical music and related literature.

Ironically, in the letters to the editor section, an American reader had asked about the availability of the magazine, to which the editor replied that their distributor had now made it available in most Barnes & Noble stores, some Borders stores (where I got my copy), and a few other places as well.

Gramophone is great of course, but it's nice to have a different set of perspectives on things, and with the same size and quality paper Gramophone uses.

Also, unlike that magazine, BBC Music, etc., this one seems to focus mainly on classical recordings and not so much on the cult of celebrity or jazz/crossover type stuff. However, it is too soon for me to tell if things will stay that way.

Is anyone here familiar with this mag?

[haydnguy]

I am not familiar with that particular magazine (although I have heard of it), but I must say that I am not at all a fan of this new "crossover" trend that is being pushed by some. I subscribe to "Listen" magazine and have been disappointed in their "crossover leanings". I understand that they are trying to reach a wider audience but to me it will have the opposite effect. Most classical fans will avoid it because it has too much non-classical in it, and the non-classical fan will avoid it because it has too much classical.

When you put Sting on the cover you are not making a fan of me. I didn't even like him when I listened to pop. Gees!!!!!!!

[Cristofori]

I am not familiar with that particular magazine (although I have heard of it), but I must say that I am not at all a fan of this new "crossover" trend that is being pushed by some. I subscribe to "Listen" magazine and have been disappointed in their "crossover leanings". I understand that they are trying to reach a wider audience but to me it will have the opposite effect. Most classical fans will avoid it because it has too much non-classical in it, and the non-classical fan will avoid it because it has too much classical.

When you put Sting on the cover you are not making a fan of me. I didn't even like him when I listened to pop. Gees!!!!!!!

haydnguy, I think I'm going to like you!

I agree wholeheartedly. I am an unapologetic classical purist, and I disapprove of the crossover stuff as well, and for some of the same reasons you stated. Some of these publications seem to believe that jazz and classical are mutually inclusive. Serious aficionados of both know better.

Amazingly, I was thinking of Sting (I call him Stink) when I wrote the bit about the crossover stuff.  Gramophone has a section on the last page titled "My Music" where they usually have some Rock/Pop or Hollyweird icon discussing classical music. A recent issue featured the glorious Sting.

Needless to say, I couldn't care less.

[Bulldog]

I consider IRR an excellent periodical with much better reviews than found on either Gramophone or BBC Music Magazine.  As for crossover, I don't like it at all.  I have enough trouble enjoying transcriptions.

[The new erato]

I consider IRR an excellent periodical with much better reviews than found on either Gramophone or BBC Music Magazine. 

Same here. If you want to cut the surrounding c..p; this and Fanfare is it.

[Bulldog]

Same here. If you want to cut the surrounding c..p; this and Fanfare is it.

If I had to live with just one music periodical, Fanfare would be it.

[haydnguy]

Yes, I subscribe to Fanfare as well. I enjoy reading through the reviews.

[Cristofori]

If I had to live with just one music periodical, Fanfare would be it.

I've occasionally picked up Fanfare, when there was something of interest and when it was available.

I've never cared for the type of the book they and others like American Record Guide use, so I don't read them very often.

I find short, fat softcover books that won't stay open on a table highly annoying.

[SonicMan46]

Over the years (or several decades now!), I've subscribed to a number of 'classical music' periodicals and have canceled many subscriptions, including Fanfare & American Record Guide - but as my collection has expanded and as I've looked for more interesting obscure composers & interesting alternatives to what I own, my knowledge and experience has expanded and my interests have become much more focal & intensive - I must say that belonging to the GMG Forum has greatly fortified these changes!  Thanks all -   

Currently, I've re-subscribed (2-3x now) to Fanfare & American Record Guide - I enjoy these much more now; don't have to review the more common composers much (already own what I want), but some of the less common composer reviews are what now interests me; so, I guess you need to fit your current interests to what is available in these periodicals.   

[Cristofori]

I just picked up my second issue at a Barnes & Noble today, and from what I've seen so far I would highly recommend this magazine. I've seen no crossover stuff or any other nonsense as of yet.

There was a nice article on the new and upcoming Sony Masterworks reissues, with some good reviews and recommendations.

[Bulldog]

I've occasionally picked up Fanfare, when there was something of interest and when it was available.

I've never cared for the type of the book they and others like American Record Guide use, so I don't read them very often.

I find short, fat softcover books that won't stay open on a table highly annoying.

Just slam your fist on the book's spine - that will open it right up.

[Renfield]

For what it's worth, I consider the IRR in a nutshell a very professional publication.

More and more, especially with the 'recent' (relatively speaking) free-fall in the quality of even those articles in the Gramophone which are about purely classical issues, I find myself turning to the IRR for an informed critical opinion.


Whether I agree with its informed critical opinions, on the other hand, is a different issue.

I don't read Fanfare, but on the whole, the reviews from Fanfare I've read are often closer to my taste than the combatively traditionalist, or radically pro-HIP opinions some consistent IRR contributors espouse; though all reviews are signed, making sorting easy if you're not as compulsive about reading through a publication cover-to-cover as I am. All in all, the IRR feels to me like (and is, mostly) a magazine written by academics, down to both the egos and the erudition of its contributors.

[MN Dave]

Just slam your fist on the book's spine - that will open it right up.

Man, that's your answer to everything. 

[Szykneij]

Just slam your fist on the book's spine - that will open it right up.

Or even better --



Use your shoe!