a vinyl resurgence for classical music albums ...... November 2014 news

[Scion7]

Deutsche Grammophon pledges big push in classical vinyl

The numbers are unambiguous: vinyl is booming. Even as overall album sales plummet, vinyl sales are up nearly 50% over last year. Though vinyl sales are still just a small fraction of overall album sales, record labels are fueling consumer demand for vinyl both with both new issues and reissues — often deluxe editions loaded with extras.

Classical labels, though, have been slow to embrace the vinyl resurgence. As recently as this April, Sinfini was reporting that classical labels — already working with slim margins — were reluctant to risk pressing expensive vinyl they might be unable to sell.

That may be changing, though: Deutsche Grammophon has just announced that they're issuing several of their releases on vinyl — including the complete recordings of Carlos Kleiber; recordings featuring soloists Anne-Sophie Mutter, Helene Grimaud, and Martha Argerich; and a split album with music by the National's Bryce Dessner and Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood.

"And this is just the beginning! 2015 will mark a big push in our vinyl release schedule," says the DG press release. Classical music enthusiasts, it seems, may finally be catching the vinyl bug — again.

[The new erato]

With the growth in downloads and streaming and the waning of the CD, those that want an actual physical product are pushed into becoming vinyl junkies. That's my take on it.

[Jo498]

Even with the "waning" there are still far more new CD issues than LP. Are there any new recordings of note that appear ONLY as downloads? I have only seen reissues as download only. Because of the considerably hardware expense I believe that the causality is in this direction: Vinyl junkies willing to pay $$$ for new classical LPs, not frustrated CD collectors having rather LPs than download files.

[Harry]

Just a sentiment, this will blow over after a while.

[Abuelo Igor]

Back in the day, I actually gave up classical on vinyl because there was no way to avoid the little background scratches that ruined the quiet passages. I always hated vinyl: my brother used to have this old turntable whose needle was never replaced and that ruined the grooves on the records every time. The appearance of CD, especially for classical music, was received by me as an utter blessing. All this "vinyl renaissance" has me mystified. Vinyl has a myriad disadvantages that are constantly made light of by the enthusiasts, but that were my daily nightmare in the old days.

(Not to mention storage! You think the CDCDCD guys had it bad? I have just no room for 12-inch albums in my house anymore)

It's just my personal perception, of course, but in my opinion it's just a last ditch attempt by the industry to keep on making money. I think vinyl, great as it might sound for other styles of music, is just not suited to classical.

[The new erato]

Even with the "waning" there are still far more new CD issues than LP. Are there any new recordings of note that appear ONLY as downloads? I have only seen reissues as download only. Because of the considerably hardware expense I believe that the causality is in this direction: Vinyl junkies willing to pay $$$ for new classical LPs, not frustrated CD collectors having rather LPs than download files.

Here's a new release only available as a download which I dearly would have liked to buy as a CD. As things are, it's no purchase from me.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/Nov14/Purcell_Paris_RES10128.htm

[bigshot]

I have well over 15,000 LPs and 78s in my collection... a whole wall of record shelving. But I would never, Ever, EVER want to go back to vinyl. Digital audio is so much better sounding, so much more convenient and so much less expensive than records. I don't even buy two buck records at swap meets any more. The recent remasters and releases of Living Stereo, Mercury Living Presence and 60s Columbia (specifically Bernstein) sound SO much better than the LPs ever did, the records are redundant to me now.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

I have well over 15,000 LPs and 78s in my collection... a whole wall of record shelving. But I would never, Ever, EVER want to go back to vinyl. Digital audio is so much better sounding, so much more convenient and so much less expensive than records. I don't even buy two buck records at swap meets any more. The recent remasters and releases of Living Stereo, Mercury Living Presence and 60s Columbia (specifically Bernstein) sound SO much better than the LPs ever did, the records are redundant to me now.

I'd be tempted to agree - and wholeheartedly - with bigshot.  Indeed, his view represents mine own until recently.  Over the past year I've frequented record shops, flea markets and charity outlets and found many records I've fallen in love with (many of which have not been silvered) for very little expense.  I'm a careful buyer - still, approx. 20% of these are trashed or re-donated as they do not meet my standards (visual inspection is only part of the story).  Even so, I must say it has been well worth it, for three reasons:  1.) acquisition of different performances I prob. would - or could - not have paid big bucks for on CD; 2.) engaging and often wonderful new repertoire at minimal cost and 3.) the pleasure of listening to a medium I so much loved growing-up, warts and all.  The pleasure of holding something substantial and not having to get out the magnifying lens to read the liner notes are bonuses.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I got into vinyl last year. The main reasons for doing so: many records have never been re-released on CD (for which I started the "Vinyl Explorations" thread on the Recordings Board); some reissues are botched somehow, either in the mastering or the presentation; you can get some great bargains. But on the whole, CDs win on points.

[Jo498]

I got into vinyl last year. The main reasons for doing so: many records have never been re-released on CD (for which I started the "Vinyl Explorations" thread on the Recordings Board); some reissues are botched somehow, either in the mastering or the presentation; you can get some great bargains. But on the whole, CDs win on points.

I do understand this motivation and I was tempted to go there about 10 years ago, got some really cheap stuff on Ebay, but got rid of most of it later on, although I still keep about 4 ft of shelf space for LPs.
But I do NOT understand paying more for a newly made LP of some "classic" standard recording like Kleiber's Schubert symphonies than for a CD with the same recording.

[Jay F]

I gave up on buying "new" LPs a few years back. There was a better chance they'd have surface noise than that they wouldn't. This was in rock/pop. I can't imagine how noisy a "new" classical LP might be. I just don't have money to throw away on things that probably won't work the way they should.

I've read this happens because there's some chemical that used to be used in the formulation of vinyl which isn't used anymore because it's too toxic for the workers to breathe in. The story is that it kept vinyl less noisy.

[Todd]

I got into vinyl last year. The main reasons for doing so: many records have never been re-released on CD (for which I started the "Vinyl Explorations" thread on the Recordings Board)

This is true, just as many 78s never made it to LP and later, and just as a lot of CD releases will not become available as downloads or streams.  Classical vinyl is a small sub-niche in a niche market that will appeal to very few.  As is often the case with physical media, the Japanese seem to do it best. 

Coming in February, a 6-LP reissue:

[Ken B]

"Vinyl is better" narrowly beats out "Elvis is alive" and "9-11 was an inside job" as an indicium of delusion.

[Scion7]

One vinyl attraction is the physical appearance of it.  It just looks cool.  Also, the LP cover is a work of art when done correctly.  I have thousands of LP's - listen to them all the time.

[psu]

I want vinyl sized liner books. And lossless files to download. The CD book and media were always the weakest part of the package IMHO.

[amw]

CDs are a niche market too, at this point. The top sources for recorded music, by listening hours, are 1) Youtube, 2) Spotify, 3) other streaming services, 4) illegal downloads. Seems the record companies are embracing this niche status now; I know there have been reissues on cassette and doubt 78s will be far behind. Maybe wax cylinders will come back into vogue too.

Eventually CDs will be hand pressed and decorated, sold only at boutique shops, and come with a variety of accessories that you can display on your coffee table, along with a small data stick/future storage medium containing the actual music so you don't have to ever subject them to the stress of playback.

[Bogey]

Just a sentiment, this will blow over after a while.

But it may be a profitable greeting card for some time. 

Global Trade Value $US from 2007 to 2013:
(SP&LP)   $55m   $66m   $73m   $89m   $116m   $171m 

and its up another 50% or so in 2014.

http://www.spin.com/articles/music-sales-2013-vinyl-streams-digital-album-cd/

Will it ever overtake streaming.  I do not see it having a snowball's chance, but there are not many Ferraris on the road either and when it comes to sound this anologue media can be (not always) worth every dime.

One vinyl attraction is the physical appearance of it.  It just looks cool.  Also, the LP cover is a work of art when done correctly.  I have thousands of LP's - listen to them all the time.

Plus, I love the smell of vinyl in the morning.

[Bogey]

I know which gets my vote for the superfluous coolness factor.

[Appy34]

I don't believe I have listened to vinyl since I was a child in the '80's. Like many others, I saw the Compact Disc as an advance in sound.

I often think about giving vinyl another shot, but the thought of what my four cats would do when they saw a record spinning at 33 1/3 times a minute gives me chills.

[Jay F]

I often think about giving vinyl another shot, but the thought of what my four cats would do when they saw a record spinning at 33 1/3 times a minute gives me chills.

None of my cats ever paid attention.