Cheap 10 CD BOX SETS on Documents/Aura

[George]

Anyone buy any of these?

I saw a bunch of them at the store today by Michelangeli, Furtwangler, Barbirolli, Ormandy, etc.

They are only $17.99 but I can't buy them all little help please?

George

[PerfectWagnerite]

I like the two Michelangeli sets. The Strauss, Great Conductors sets are TERRIBLE sonically. In the Great Conductor set you are treated to one of the most horribly recorded of all Bruckner 7ths - by Furtwangler. It actually hurts to listen to that recording. There is also a Chopin box that looks interesting - which sells for $12.99 at J&R (presumably the store you were at) featuring the likes of Cortot etc.. I didn't buy any because I have mountains of CDs that I have not listened to but for the price it is unbeatable.

I think you get them for a bit cheaper on Amazon since you don't have to pay sales tax.

[George]

I like the two Michelangeli sets.

Thanks. After reading a great review of them online, I am ready to go back and pick them up.

The other one I have on hold is the Barbirolli set. The recordings are old, but legendary, with performers such as Rubinstein, Heifetz and Kriesler. 

[PerfectWagnerite]

Thanks. After reading a great review of them online, I am ready to go back and pick them up.

The other one I have on hold is the Barbirolli set. The recordings are old, but legendary, with performers such as Rubinstein, Heifetz and Kriesler. 

I think most of the Michelangeli recordings are in stereo (not state of the art stereo mind you but much better than mono).

The Barbirolli looks interesting. Can't see how you can go wrong if you are a fan of the conductor.

[George]

I think most of the Michelangeli recordings are in stereo (not state of the art stereo mind you but much better than mono).

The Barbirolli looks interesting. Can't see how you can go wrong if you are a fan of the conductor.

And I am a fan of him. 

[DavidW]

The Barbirolli looks interesting. Can't see how you can go wrong if you are a fan of the conductor.

Masterings, there seems to be alot of bad masterings out there when there are also available good masterings of recordings.  Well it applies to alot of conductors, I just remember it being true for Barbirolli in particular.

[George]

Masterings, there seems to be alot of bad masterings out there when there are also available good masterings of recordings.  Well it applies to alot of conductors, I just remember it being true for Barbirolli in particular.

I think that was on another label.

[George]

Masterings, there seems to be alot of bad masterings out there when there are also available good masterings of recordings.  Well it applies to alot of conductors, I just remember it being true for Barbirolli in particular.

I found a place to sample the above Barbirolli box and it sounds quite filtered. Anyone have any of those recordings and could compare?

Samples of the Barbirolli 10 CD SET

[KevinP]

They are only $17.99 but I can't buy them all little help please?

No. I draw the line at lending forum members money.

[George]

No. I draw the line at lending forum members money.

[not edward]

Any recordings I've heard from this source are clearly pirate issues of early transfers, with large quantities of added reverb and artificially boosted bass. Sometimes you find fake stereo effects (presumably from the dodgy transfers they've used). Approach with caution unless you can't easily find better transfers.

[George]

Any recordings I've heard from this source are clearly pirate issues of early transfers, with large quantities of added reverb and artificially boosted bass. Sometimes you find fake stereo effects (presumably from the dodgy transfers they've used). Approach with caution unless you can't easily find better transfers.

Thanks Edward. 

[Que]

Any recordings I've heard from this source are clearly pirate issues of early transfers, with large quantities of added reverb and artificially boosted bass. Sometimes you find fake stereo effects (presumably from the dodgy transfers they've used). Approach with caution unless you can't easily find better transfers.

My impressions as well.
Sampled a few sets in the shop and never bought any - quality set varies (even within a set) from decent to horrendous.

Q

[George]

I like the two Michelangeli sets.

I just compared them and it appears that there is a LOT of overlap in terms of repertoire. Vol 2 (with the blue/black cover) has many of the same works, in poorer sound. In fact, the only works that are unique to the second volume are LvB's 5th PC, Op. 2/3, Debussy Preludes Book 2, Schubert D 537, Ravel Gaspard de la nuit, a few Grieg Lyric Pieces, some Galuppi works and Liszt Concerto.

[E d o]

I have the Mahler and Walcha sets and quite happy with them especially considering what they cost.
I bought the Mahler for Mengelberg's 4th and the set is less than the single symphony elsewhere. I doubt the other transfers are much better. As far as Walcha goes I'd rather have the DG transfer but not at 5 times the cost as I'm just not that big a fan of organ music... I know, it's a shortcoming and I'm working on it.

[George]

Well I bought the two Michelangeli CDs a few hours ago and after hearing the Chopin CD from Vol. 1, I am in love with his Chopin, especially his Mazurkas. They are sublime! If the other 9 CDs in the set turn out to be terrible, this will still be a worthwhile purchase IMO.