I've become increasingly annoyed by the existence of CDs

[Madiel]

But I feel like owning a CD is an act of respect for the music it contains -- to give it room in your living space.

Absolutely this.

One reason I will never switch to things like Spotify or Youtube as my primary source of music is that it creates a mindset that all the music is just there if you want it... and also just there if you don't. There's no element of you, as an individual, making a choice to pick something and make it yours.

I can cope with making digital purchases if there is no physical option available, because there's still that element of choosing something out of the great mass. But one of the great values of having a physical object is that it is uniquely yours (even if there are thousands of others just like circulating somewhere). You've chosen it. You've made a home for it.

The truth is I often don't use the physical CD for listening - much of my music is loaded onto iTunes, and while I'm still more likely to listen to classical works on the actual CD some of it has joined the pop music on my iPhone. But I still have the physical object, and often the memories of when and where I got it.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I've been even contemplating getting back into the vinyl experience again!

I recommend it. It's fun, you often run across LP treasures for cheap, and the records themselves (if they're in good condition!) have a tactile yumminess that digital formats can't match.

[Jo498]

One reason I will never switch to things like Spotify or Youtube as my primary source of music is that it creates a mindset that all the music is just there if you want it... and also just there if you don't. There's no element of you, as an individual, making a choice to pick something and make it yours.

I can cope with making digital purchases if there is no physical option available, because there's still that element of choosing something out of the great mass. But one of the great values of having a physical object is that it is uniquely yours (even if there are thousands of others just like circulating somewhere). You've chosen it. You've made a home for it.

The truth is I often don't use the physical CD for listening - much of my music is loaded onto iTunes, and while I'm still more likely to listen to classical works on the actual CD some of it has joined the pop music on my iPhone. But I still have the physical object, and often the memories of when and where I got it.

Very interesting. I guess have a similar attitude without having being explicitly aware of it. And as I never got into Itunes, Spotify etc. old-fashioned CDs are simply the most convenient way to listen to music. I even bought a few mp3 downloads but I never listen to them because I am not used to it and not really set up for it.

I also like collecting objects and sometimes even the "hunt" for rare ones or good deals. And if you own it, it is *yours* and you are not dependent on some service offering rare music.

[aligreto]

Alex Ross had a note on his blog a while back ago where he complained about being dissatisfied with digital services like Spotify because he missed the act holding the cd and its case, reading the cd notes, etc. I'm of the same view, though my CD buying has RADICALLY slowed down over the years because I more or less built up a significant representation of the works from the standard repertoire in which I was interested. But I feel like owning a CD is an act of respect for the music it contains -- to give it room in your living space. Plus, I feel the act of selecting a CD, putting it on the player, hitting play, is more a commitment than clicking play on spotify where it's easy to be distracted by all the other options at your fingertips.

I developed at interest in classical music in the few years before Tower Records went out of business, and man, they had a respectable classical music section. I'd make a trip to the store every two weeks when employed at a minimum wage job and would up pick something new. Those were exciting times!

Well put and you can multiply your sentiments by a large factor for old school vinyl collectors like me who also actually have to take care of their media to a greater degree. The tactile experience helps to make the overall experience much more personal.

[Rons_talking]

Interesting topic! I no longer buy CDs. There is no point in my case because I have nothing on which to play a CD except my computer. I do miss the element of the packaging (liner notes, photos, something to display as a reminder of my good taste), but that's a material way of putting value to music. Even if I own the CD, I'm more likely to listen to my download of the work or stream the very recording I own simply for conveniency. But listening on a computer lacks an important element to the listening process; the capacity to listen to the music with others. Most people will agree that when you play a recording for others your own perception of the work  is more acute and vivid because you're listening through the group's ears, not just your own. This intersubjectivity reveals something about the music as well as your own relationship with the work concerned. A work might sound a little corny when around others, or the orchestration more brilliant, or the length much shorter...it's an interesting phenomenon.

I'm not saying that this is the best way to listen to music but it is an important factor in coming to terms with a work. As a composer, one can't really understand a work completely until you've observed others listening to the music. Live music is, obviously, the best means of hearing a work; even if the performance isn't great. Listening alone with headphones is more focused but not as satisfying to me as playing a work for somebody else. At least at first. Once familiar with a work the headphones are fine to me. I attended a series of Shostakovitch works 10 years ago in Minneapolis and heard the 1st Symphony and 2nd VC live for the first time ever (after listening to those works maybe 100 times on record) and the experience was spectacular. I heard things I'd never heard and felt a connection with the music in a powerful way.

I like owning the cD; it's like having "stock" in the piece. But now I have cheap access to any work I choose (not really, but close), but I feel a loss in terms of the buy-sell element of records. Maybe I'll just buy a nice sound system and buy and burn CDs and listen like I used to. I don't like shutting out the world to listen to music.

I don't think this is related but I'd rather have 10 different works than 10 renditions of the same work. But that's just me;  I understand the audiophile ideal.

[Andante]

Interesting topic! I no longer buy CDs. There is no point in my case because I have nothing on which to play a CD except my computer. I do miss the element of the packaging (liner notes, photos, something to display as a reminder of my good taste), but that's a material way of putting value to music. Even if I own the CD, I'm more likely to listen to my download of the work or stream the very recording I own simply for conveniency. But listening on a computer lacks an important element to the listening process; the capacity to listen to the music with others. Most people will agree that when you play a recording for others your own perception of the work  is more acute and vivid because you're listening through the group's ears, not just your own. This intersubjectivity reveals something about the music as well as your own relationship with the work concerned. A work might sound a little corny when around others, or the orchestration more brilliant, or the length much shorter...it's an interesting phenomenon.

I'm not saying that this is the best way to listen to music but it is an important factor in coming to terms with a work. As a composer, one can't really understand a work completely until you've observed others listening to the music. Live music is, obviously, the best means of hearing a work; even if the performance isn't great. Listening alone with headphones is more focused but not as satisfying to me as playing a work for somebody else. At least at first. Once familiar with a work the headphones are fine to me. I attended a series of Shostakovitch works 10 years ago in Minneapolis and heard the 1st Symphony and 2nd VC live for the first time ever (after listening to those works maybe 100 times on record) and the experience was spectacular. I heard things I'd never heard and felt a connection with the music in a powerful way.

I like owning the cD; it's like having "stock" in the piece. But now I have cheap access to any work I choose (not really, but close), but I feel a loss in terms of the buy-sell element of records. Maybe I'll just buy a nice sound system and buy and burn CDs and listen like I used to. I don't like shutting out the world to listen to music.

I don't think this is related but I'd rather have 10 different works than 10 renditions of the same work. But that's just me;  I understand the audiophile ideal.

Very interesting that you bring up the point of listening to music with others, 25 years ago a friend and myself would put on a "Music evening" just once a month, my house one month his the next, over the years others have been invited to join us and we now have a small group of devoted music lovers who meet each month to enjoy each others company and listen to a program of music provided by the host and of course a nibble or two with a glass of red, it is all done via CD with the occasional Vinyl.
The audio gear varies from very good HiFi set up to pretty basic stereo all in one units and it is surprising how each of us can find different meaning in a particular piece of music so for us it has to be CDs Vinyl or even the odd tape.
I also agree that 10 versions of the same work is not for me, pick the best and get that until a better performance comes out.   

[Mirror Image]

I agree overall that music is best heard live with others. Music is a shared experience certainly, but there's nothing wrong in listening by yourself either with headphones on. This enables you to become much more intimate with the music in a way that no one but you would understand. The benefit of group listening would be possible group discussion. This would be something I'd be interested in doing. It's just a matter of getting all of the people together and, more importantly, where the listening session will be held, but I suppose work schedules also come into effect, too. So many hurdles.

[Andante]

I agree overall that music is best heard live with others. Music is a shared experience certainly, but there's nothing wrong in listening by yourself either with headphones on. This enables you to become much more intimate with the music in a way that no one but you would understand. The benefit of group listening would be possible group discussion. This would be something I'd be interested in doing. It's just a matter of getting all of the people together and, more importantly, where the listening session will be held, but I suppose work schedules also come into effect, too. So many hurdles.

One evening per month from 7pm. we try to limit our programs to 90-100 minutes which allows time between works or even just single movements for discussion, held in one room is fine, and just place an add in the local rag to see if there is any interest, you may be surprised 

[Mirror Image]

One evening per month from 7pm. we try to limit our programs to 90-100 minutes which allows time between works or even just single movements for discussion, held in one room is fine, and just place an add in the local rag to see if there is any interest, you may be surprised 

That's a good idea, Andante. Perhaps I can get something happening after the holiday season. Since I work retail, this is our busiest time of the year and it always kicks my butt. Jeffrey Smith can sympathize here.

[PotashPie]

A CD is just a way of storing data. It's an external, portable hard disc of specific information. It fits into any computer.

[(poco) Sforzando]

a $60 annual subscription to a music magazine that includes access to Naxos Music Library and Grove Encyclopedia online ( a great deal).

Tell us more, please.

[(poco) Sforzando]

I recommend it. It's fun, you often run across LP treasures for cheap, and the records themselves (if they're in good condition!) have a tactile yumminess that digital formats can't match.

I have nothing against tactile yumminess, but I don't have unlimited space. My LP collection is down to about 50 discs.

[Madiel]

I do not agree with the bolded section of your post.  Well, the making it "mine" is irrelevant to me, I simply don't care to make it mine, I just want to listen to it.  But I do create playlists of groups of albums for extended listening, so there is an element of choosing certain music and making it something for my temporary use.

So you do in fact agree with it, right after saying you don't. It's just that you don't care.

Except you care enough to pop up to express your dislike with what I said.

They offer much more musicc than I would ever acquire otherwise, and I can indulge in listening to music I would never wish to purchase, just to educate myself about a composer, or try, again, music I have never liked  and wouldn't want to spend money on. 

Yes, I know. And I use streaming for exactly that sampling purpose. But you also never purchase the music you WOULD "wish to purchase". Which is my point. The payment system of streaming services makes absolutely no distinction between something you tried and liked, and something you tried and disliked. All that it cares about is that you tried it... and offers someone a fraction of a cent on that basis.

[Madiel]

Anyway, I'm perfectly comfortable with the accuracy of my statement because it's exactly how the streaming services market themselves. My preferred one, Deezer, keeps saying to me "why go through all the hassle of choosing one album when you can have millions for the same price?"

Because that process of choice matters to me, that's why. But my point right now is, THAT'S THEIR SELLING POINT: You don't have to choose!!

And don't get me started on them telling me, on the free service, how I can pay money to listen to particular chosen music offline. As if this is some exciting new concept they invented.

[Parsifal]

I do not agree with the bolded section of your post.  Well, the making it "mine" is irrelevant to me, I simply don't care to make it mine, I just want to listen to it.  But I do create playlists of groups of albums for extended listening, so there is an element of choosing certain music and making it something for my temporary use.

If there is something to "making in mine" that resonates with me it is the idea that I will continue to have access to it when I want to listen to it in the future. Listening on a streaming basis, there is a question of whether a track I grow attached to will remain on the service, whether the service will stay in business, whether I will continue to subscribe to the service. Having the track on a CD or on my hard disc gives me a more secure feeling.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Early Music America

A nice little mag that covers early music but the add-ins really make it something worthwhile.

Thank you!