Large Box Sets

[karlhenning]

I don't think it's possible to improperly use a box set.

Have you asked Sean?

[Bulldog]

Hmm, maybe if I use it as a weapon... 

Excellent idea.  I could send you a list of individuals who deserve a strong smack on the head.

[Bulldog]

Have you asked Sean?

Hell no - that could result in a 3-page response.

[Grazioso]

I'm a box set whore  I've gotten to explore lots of great music/recordings through those comically big box sets that I otherwise wouldn't have heard. And it can be easier and even cheaper to buy the mega sets for even just a handful of the included recordings than trying to hunt them down at full price individually. Downside: shelf space!

Keep 'em coming, I'll buy 'em!

[kishnevi]

I don't have any really big box sets, but I would consider getting them if I wanted all the performances from a particular player or all the works of a particular composer, or I had a desire to hear all of Brahms's works for flugelhorn sextet and discovered they were only available through such a big box set.

That said, the biggest box sets I have:
Bach Organ Works (Simon Preston)--14 CDs
Mahler Symphonies (Bernstein/Sony)--12 CDs
Mozart Piano Concertos (Perahia/ECO)--12 CDs
Beethoven Piano Sonatas (Brendel)--10 CDs
Bach--SMP, SJP, Christmas Oratoria, Mass in B-Minor (various on RCA Red Seal)--10 CDs
Bach Secular Cantatas (Brilliant)--8 CDs
and loads of sets in the 3-7 CD range.

And big in number of CDs is not the same as big in the physical size of the box.  I have several operas of 2-3 CDs in length which because of the libretto and fancy packaging take up at least as much shelf space as any of the above bigger than average boxes.

Now, if you pardon me, I want to contemplate what a Brahms flugelhorn sextet might sound like.

[Brian]

I'm a box set whore  I've gotten to explore lots of great music/recordings through those comically big box sets that I otherwise wouldn't have heard. And it can be easier and even cheaper to buy the mega sets for even just a handful of the included recordings than trying to hunt them down at full price individually. Downside: shelf space!

Keep 'em coming, I'll buy 'em!

Last summer, NaxosDirect accidentally sold three of those 25 CD "Collection" box sets that you recommended to me - for $2.99. I bought two copies each of the Spanish Music Collection, the British Music Collection, and the British Symphonies Collection, for a total of $18. Gave the second set to my roommate. We've discovered so much great stuff!

[Grazioso]

Last summer, NaxosDirect accidentally sold three of those 25 CD "Collection" box sets that you recommended to me - for $2.99. I bought two copies each of the Spanish Music Collection, the British Music Collection, and the British Symphonies Collection, for a total of $18. Gave the second set to my roommate. We've discovered so much great stuff!

Wow! You hit the jackpot. I don't have the Spanish Music Collection yet, but the three other boxes in that series that I bought have provided me many hours of pleasure over the past few years.

[eyeresist]

IT DEPENDS WHAT'S ON THE DISCS.

[marvinbrown]

  I wanted to vote NO but then I remembered this 60 CD boxset:

 

  and now I am confused  .  I am sure THE BULLDOG (Don  ) understands............


  marvin

[Que]

I am confused too! 

Who would generally prefer large box sets?  Unless you are:
1) lazy and/or
2) would want as many CDs for as little money as possible.

Box sets have some obvious advantages:
1) they are relatively cheap;
2) their completeness - getting the set avoids the risk of ending up with an incomplete series with missing volumes OOP;
3) they save space.


Relevant questions IMO concerning box sets:
1) are you willing to settle for other performances that you would ultimately prefer? In my case: NO.
2) are you willing to settle for some duds in the deal. In my case: NO.

That means that for me as a general rule mixed multi performers box sets are not attractive. So no complete Bach, Brahms, Beethoven etc. But the Harnoncourt/Leonhardt Bach cantatas? Scott Ross' Scarlatti sonatas? Koopman's Bach organ works? YES please!

Q

[Marc]

I am confused too! 

I am confused and a coward!
So I won't vote!

I'm still exploring the Brilliant Bach Integral, and after 2 discs I stopped investigating the Brilliant Mozart Integral.

These are the only two unhealthy HUMONGOUS box sets I have.

Or have I?



Well, let's summarize: if a GINORMOUS box set contains music of Bach with loads of discs far below the price of a Siberian Husky, then I do not have any problem with this phenomenon.

In each and every other case, I would think twice. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Nothing in the mega-box for me. The largest box I have is the 24 disc Philips complete Berlioz box, which I enjoy very much for its high quality when compared to individual discs (that I've heard). But this box is more the exception than the rule in my collection. The next biggest box I have is my 14 disc Ring cycle but that's a gimmie.

After that it trickles down to 10 or 12 disc boxes for a couple of Shostakovich symphony sets I have and then on further down to a handful of single digit boxes, mostly jazz (excluding the ubiquitous 2 or 3 disc opera sets).

[Grazioso]

Here are a few of the mega sets that I have gotten much enjoyment out of and can recommend:



To answer an earlier question:

Who would generally prefer large box sets?  Unless you are:
1) lazy and/or
2) would want as many CDs for as little money as possible.

Box sets have some obvious advantages:
1) they are relatively cheap;
2) their completeness - getting the set avoids the risk of ending up with an incomplete series with missing volumes OOP;
3) they save space.


Relevant questions IMO concerning box sets:
1) are you willing to settle for other performances that you would ultimately prefer? In my case: NO.
2) are you willing to settle for some duds in the deal. In my case: NO.

That means that for me as a general rule mixed multi performers box sets are not attractive. So no complete Bach, Brahms, Beethoven etc. But the Harnoncourt/Leonhardt Bach cantatas? Scott Ross' Scarlatti sonatas? Koopman's Bach organ works? YES please!

Q

I don't generally prefer big box sets, but if I suspect I can get lots of excellent recordings for a great price, I'm game. Sure, there might be some dud recordings scattered among the good ones, but if the percentage of good to bad is high enough, and the price low enough, so what? Further, if a big box helps me to explore corners of the classical music world with which I'm unfamiliar but suspect I might find entertaining, I'm game. Regardless, I seek out quality repertoire, performances, and engineering, be it on single discs or in a big box set. The big box sets just let me get more good stuff faster and easier