Mercury Living Presence Boxed Set

[Tom 1960]

I imagine there has been some sort of discussion here on this impressive box set just released in the U.S. on March 6. I have a few of the recordings and have gotten great enjoyment from hearing them over the years. At the insane price of $2/disc for this set, what are your thoughts on this collection? I'm thinking of taking the plunge on this one. Thanks.

[Karl Henning]

I couldn't say more than to echo you: I am thinking of the plunge, myself.

I have other Mercury reissues (not too much overlap with this tempting box) which are sonically delicious.

[Scion7]

51 CD's.

There are great recordings in there.   Of course, not every single album will be a great performance.

I've got several of them individually.

[Ataraxia]

Tempting, but no. I'll never listen to it.

[Gurn Blanston]

Lots of music there, many undoubtedly great performances. Clearly food for thought.

Here is the link for those who are interested;

[asin]B005XBA9Y8[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

 Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on Today at 10:05:41 AM

Lots of music there, many undoubtedly great performances. Clearly food for thought.

Here is the link for those who are interested;

 
Thanks, Gurn!

For me, looks like six duplicates, so at this price point, still could be well worth while . . . lots of great stuff in this box which I haven't acquired elsewhere . . . .

[mc ukrneal]

Lots of music there, many undoubtedly great performances. Clearly food for thought.

Here is the link for those who are interested;

[asin]B005XBA9Y8[/asin]

FYI - the first Amazon review lists each cd - works and performers. The second review lists them differently, but still may be quite useful.

[Todd]

I saw this a month or two ago, and I was briefly tempted.  But I just don't have that much interest in all of those Mercury recordings.  The ones I have interest in I already own.  No, if I'm going to go for a Giganto-Box, the two below are somewhat more tempting.  But even with those it's hard to say I'd listen to them multiple times.


 

[springrite]

Not many duplicates for me, so into the cart it goes! I will try to make the money in the next couple of weeks to cover it!

[kishnevi]

I saw this a month or two ago, and I was briefly tempted.  But I just don't have that much interest in all of those Mercury recordings.  The ones I have interest in I already own.  No, if I'm going to go for a Giganto-Box, the two below are somewhat more tempting.  But even with those it's hard to say I'd listen to them multiple times.


 

I've seen the Toscanini box on Amazon, but not the Vivarte, which is the one that interests me.   Can you provide a link?

As for the Mercury box--I have almost none of those recordings, so it is tempting.  But I will try to resist.  I will not assimilate....

[Todd]

Can you provide a link?

Here you go.  Amazon has it, as do some other sellers.  It's a Korean issue, so notes may be in Korean only.

[kishnevi]

Here you go.  Amazon has it, as do some other sellers.  It's a Korean issue, so notes may be in Korean only.

Thank you.  But for the price being asked, it would probably be cheaper to collect all the individual issues (especially if Sony is issuing them as part of its budget box series).

[Mirror Image]

I think after some back and forth that I have decided not to buy this Mercury set. It looks like a good deal, but I've got too much on my plate that I don't think another 51 CDs is going to help with that matter.

[springrite]

I think after some back and forth that I have decided not to buy this Mercury set. It looks like a good deal, but I've got too much on my plate that I don't think another 51 CDs is going to help with that matter.

That reasoning has never stopped you before. Besides, I'd hate to buy things you'd pass. It makes me look bad and I'd have a hard time explaining to Vanessa.

[Mirror Image]

That reasoning has never stopped you before. Besides, I'd hate to buy things you'd pass. It makes me look bad and I'd have a hard time explaining to Vanessa.

You're too funny, Paul. Ha!

[springrite]

Duplicates:

Starker Bach
Bachauer Ravel
Janis Pictures
Janis Rach 2 & 3

Not too bad, so I pulled the trigger.

[bigshot]

I just got mine from the mailman. I'm already ripping. I haven't had time to listen yet, but the packaging isn't as nice as the RCA Living Stereo and Decca Sond boxes. The album covers are flimsier and not well printed, and the book is skimpy considering how much music there is to cover. Certainly wort $2 a disk for the music though.

[listener]

You might find this Mercury sampler issued in 1994 interesting if you can locate a copy.  It came with a 156 page book with a history of the company and many of the artists, and detailed recoding notes on some of the product.  There's a page on each of the 76 discs issued then.

[Dungeon Master]

I've seen the Toscanini box on Amazon, but not the Vivarte, which is the one that interests me.   Can you provide a link?

Here

[asin]B004FTOU6W[/asin]

and here

[asin]B006VKKAWQ[/asin]

[Opus106]

This isn't over yet.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00B7364H2/?tag=goodmusicguideco-21