CD cover art designs

[Mirror Image]

Here's a few that I like so far from this year:













Special note: I own these recordings and the artwork is definitely much better in person.

[Rinaldo]

We might share some taste buds in the eyes, I've wishlisted these two records some time ago almost on the basis of the artwork alone! Can't wait to get 'em myself. I might even listen to the CDs!

[The new erato]

Munch had various versions of this. You should see the full size mural at Oslo's University, around 10 meters across.....

I like this cover:



Don't know the painting, seems like something Matisse/Gauguin could have done.

[Mirror Image]

We might share some taste buds in the eyes, I've wishlisted these two records some time ago almost on the basis of the artwork alone! Can't wait to get 'em myself. I might even listen to the CDs!

I haven't heard the Stravinsky Litton recordings (I also own his Firebird from the same forces), but the Debussy/Abbado recording has become one of my favorite Debussy recordings. I've already listened to it five times. I wrote a short little review of it on Amazon:

Title: Mesmerizingly Beautiful Debussy From Abbado And The Berliners -

Now, here is a recording that, in my opinion, has slipped through the cracks. Abbado is known for his Ravel performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, but he's not as well-known as a conductor of Debussy's music. In my estimate, I think he understands both composers' music extremely well. I would say, and this is just a guess based on good reviews, is that Abbado's most acclaimed Debussy recording is his performance of the opera "Pelleas et Melisande" with the Vienna Philharmonic (also on Deutsche Grammophon). Truly a gorgeous recording in my opinion and worth picking up as is this 2001 release of the "Pelleas et Melisande Suite."

In addition to "Pelleas et Melisande Suite," we get "Nocturnes" and the ever-popular "Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune." All of these performances are top-notch and received exemplary readings from Abbado and the Berliners. Abbado brings such a remarkable clarity to the shape of the music. He simply doesn't wallow in its orchestral lushness like so many other conductors tend to do. He gives some of the rhythms, especially in "Nocturnes," sharp, articulated accents that give the music some electricity.

A reviewer mentioned this wasn't a necessary Debussy recording and, while, it may, in hindsight, be terribly unimportant, that shouldn't discourage listeners. Truth be told, this is turning out to be one of my favorite Debussy orchestral recordings and, yes, I'm familiar with the classic performances: Haitink, Martinon, Ansermet, etc. As for the audio quality, it's warm, clear, and has a great atmospheric sound to it. For the Debussy fan, don't miss this one.

[DavidRoss]

BAD LINKS

[Rinaldo]

For the Debussy fan, don't miss this one.

After reading your review, I definitely won't!

[Drasko]

Don't know the painting, seems like something Matisse/Gauguin could have done.

Franz Marc - Waterfall

http://www.franzmarc.org/franz-marc-paintings.jsp#

[Opus106]

Franz Marc - Waterfall

http://www.franzmarc.org/franz-marc-paintings.jsp#

Ha! Even though it didn't fit with the surroundings, I thought it was a sinister Man on the Moon. But I must say, it's certainly much better as a waterfall. It fits! Love the arc and the swirls.

[Mirror Image]

After reading your review, I definitely won't!

[Jay F]

My topic was the design look of an entire label, not the individual art or design of a single CD.

I came upon this thread while reading the "Worst Looking CD/LP Artwork," and decided I'd rather look at some un-uglies. I always liked the design of the DG-Philips-Decca Trio series.

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[TheGSMoeller]

I came upon this thread while reading the "Worst Looking CD/LP Artwork," and decided I'd rather look at some un-uglies. I always liked the design of the DG-Philips-Decca Trio series.

I agree, always found the minimalistic touch for Pinnock's Bach album to be perfect...


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[Pat B]

That Schubert/Emerson cover (with the flowers on a gray background) doesn't work for me at all.

I do, however, like this:

[PaulSC]

I do, however, like this:

Yes! It upstages the cover art for Suzuki's Bk. 1 drastically:

[Jay F]

That Schubert/Emerson cover (with the flowers on a gray background) doesn't work for me at all.

I like the photo of your dog.

[Pat B]

I like the photo of your dog.

Thank you! I like your avatar too. I googled Diebenkorn (hadn't heard of him before) -- looks like he did a lot of good stuff.

Yes! It upstages the cover art for Suzuki's Bk. 1 drastically:

Wow. Yes it does. It seems like BIS's graphic design has gotten a lot better over the years.

[Jay F]

Thank you! I like your avatar too. I googled Diebenkorn (hadn't heard of him before) -- looks like he did a lot of good stuff.

And I thank you. I love Abstract Expressionism, Diebenkorn and Rothko in particular.

What is your dog's name?

[Pat B]

What is your dog's name?

Murphy.

Thread duty: Don't know if this has already been posted but here's a Naxos cover I like (which is a rarity):



I wonder if the color is natural.

[Jay F]

I always liked the old L'Oiseau Lyre design.

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[Pat B]

I always liked the old L'Oiseau Lyre design.

This is really interesting to me. If you said: "imagine a white background, a tightly-tracked serif typeface, mostly in caps, add an old painting or an artist headshot, then tack on an ornate border" I would never expect that to work. But it does. And more than most, it usually seems very appropriate for their recordings.

At some point they refreshed their style without completely scrapping it:




The latter version is cleaner but both are distinctively L'Oiseau Lyre. I can't think of any other label that does that.

The resurrection of this imprint was a victory for graphic design.

[Jay F]

At some point they refreshed their style without completely scrapping it:



The latter version is cleaner but both are distinctively L'Oiseau Lyre. I can't think of any other label that does that.

The resurrection of this imprint was a victory for graphic design.

I hate the nouveau design. The oldeau one was fine. And it's a label that's about the oldeau, seau...