The Super-Duper Cheap Bargains Thread

[Elgarian]

Here's another set for your consideration.
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart-23-Klavierkonzerte/hnum/7547854

It's not quite complete, but it's certainly well known and received.

I thought I'd thoroughly scoured jpc's special deals but I certainly missed that. (Am I the only one who finds the jpc search facility curiously unwieldy?) Thanks for this tip Navneeth. I must say, had I known about this, I'd have jumped at the chance of getting Brendel at such a price, and I'm now wondering whether to get one anyway. (This way madness lies, doesn't it?)

[mc ukrneal]

I thought I'd thoroughly scoured jpc's special deals but I certainly missed that. (Am I the only one who finds the jpc search facility curiously unwieldy?) Thanks for this tip Navneeth. I must say, had I known about this, I'd have jumped at the chance of getting Brendel at such a price, and I'm now wondering whether to get one anyway. (This way madness lies, doesn't it?)

It's 21.99 at Amazon.de.

[Elgarian]

Your worries about the Masur set are a good way to look at things - screw anything other than excellence in such widely-recorded repertoire, it's a waste of money no matter how much it costs.

Yes ... that's normally the view I take myself, and yet ... although I couldn't find much in the way of reviews of the Schmidt/Masur box, I did find a lot of samples of varying lengths, and what I heard seemed pretty lovely (albeit to these inexperienced Mozartian ears): the piano is a bit too 'upfront', perhaps, but the performances seemed full of life and charm - I fancied I could hear Mozart chuckling in all the right places, full of delight in his discoveries. So I'll be surprised if I come actually to regret this purchase. There are times when exploring the byways has its own appeal, travelling regions where neither Gramophone nor Penguin Guide have trod (possibly a necessary corrective, too, because I think I'm generally too strongly influenced by them). The most revelatory purchase I've made in recent months was the bargain HIP set of Mozart violin sonatas by Kuijken and Devos on Accent (thanks to a tip-off by Harry), and I don't think I've ever  read a word about that, anywhere....

But yes, yes, I do take your point.

[Scarpia]

Well, the Frenchie's finally sent my my acknowledgment.  I guess Hilary Clinton was putting the pressure on for delayed classical music shipments to the US.   

[Wanderer]

The classic Janowski rendition, repackaged and sold for pittance. 5.99 € at jpc.de.





Still the benchmark for this enthralling work. 9.25 £ at mdt.co.uk.

Samples here.

[donaldopato]

I didn't search all that far back in the thread, but Berkshire Records and other discount outlets seem to have a big supply of the Telarc Cleveland Quartet recordings of the Beethoven Quartets for around $20-25. I got mine from Daedalus books for $20, but it seems to be sold out.

[mc ukrneal]

Don't know if it is a pricing mistake or is just cheap, but Hansel and Gretel with Von Stade, Cotrubas, Soderstrom, Te Kanawa, etc is priced at 8.98 at Amazon (and half the download price). It is a very good version for someone looking to pick it up (and cheaper than most at this price).

[DarkAngel]

 

Take your pick of mega ballet boxes:

35 CD Decca  $60 new Amazon seller Blowitoutahere
50 CD EMI  $60 new Amazon seller Blowitoutahere

I give slight edge in quality to EMI because I like Lanchbery's performances for EMI, plus price is cheaper per CD........I did buy the EMI box BTW, love my main man Blowitoutahere 

Check this huge list of contents for EMI box:
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=312634

[mc ukrneal]

 

Take your pick of mega ballet boxes:

35 CD Decca  $60 new Amazon seller Blowitoutahere
50 CD EMI  $60 new Amazon seller Blowitoutahere

I give slight edge in quality to EMI because I like Lanchbery's performances for EMI, plus price is cheaper per CD........I did buy the EMI box BTW, love my main man Blowitoutahere 

Check this huge list of contents for EMI box:
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=312634

On the Arkiv site, for many of the ballets, it says excerpts. If these are not the full ballets, it makes the EMI pretty uncompetitive (if you want the full ballets anyway). Have you gotten it yet to be able to determine this?

[Harry]

But another question, has the Decca set the complete ballets, for I remember vaguely that it is also a  excerpts release.

Ballet Masterpieces35 CDs
Erscheinungstermin: 15.9.2009
Verfügbarkeit: Artikel am Lager
DetailinformationenAdam: Giselle; Le Corsaire
+Weber: Aufforderung zum Tanz
+Chopin: Les Sylphides
+Luigini: Ballet egyptien
+Rossini / Respighi: La Boutique fantasque
+Rossini / Britten: Soirees musicales; Matinees musicales
+Delibes: Coppelia; Sylvia
+Delibes / Minkus: La Source
+Herold / Lanchbery: La Fille mal gardee
+Lecocq / Jacob: Mam'zelle Angot
+A. Khachaturian: Spartacus-Suite; Masquerade-Suite; Gayaneh
(Ausz.)
+Massenet / Lucas: Manon
+Offenbach / Rosenthal: Gaite parisienne
+Gounod: Ballettmusik aus Faust
+Prokofieff: Cincderella; Romeo & Julia
+Glasunow: Die Jahreszeiten
+Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe; Alborada del gracioso; La Valse
+J. Strauss II/Bayer: Aschenbrödel
+J. Strauss II: Ritter Pasman; An der schönen blauen Donau
+Strawinsky: Der Feuervogel; Petruschka; Le Sacre du
printemps
+Tschaikowsky: Dornröschen; Schwanensee; Der Nußknacker;
Ballettmusik aus "Eugen Onegin"
+Verdi: Ballettmusik aus "Otello"; La peregrina aus "Don
Carlos"; Marcia e ballabile aus "Aida"; Ballettmusik aus
"Macbeth"; Le quattro stationi aus "I Vespri Siciliani"
+Meyerbeer / Lambert: Les Patineurs
+kleine Ballettmusiken von Minkus, Pugni, Offenbach, Drigo,
Auber, D. Scarlatti, Thomas
Covent Garden Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra,
National PO, London SO, New Philharmonia Orchestra,
Montreal SO, Cleveland Orchestra, Royal PO, Orchestre de la
Suisse Romande, Detroit SO, Berlin PO, Richard Bonynge,
John Lanchbery, Stanley Black, Charles Dutoit, Vladimir
Ashkenazy, Lorin Maazel, Ernest Ansermet, Antal Dorati,
Semyon Bychkov u. a.
Label: Dec , ADD/DDD, 1960-91

[mc ukrneal]

But another question, has the Decca set the complete ballets, for I remember vaguely that it is also a  excerpts release.

I had the same question, but Amazon has this as download as well (so we can see all the tracks). I compared the Giselle and Delibes discs (all of which I have complete with the same artists) and they match. So the Deccas seems to have complete versions (not including the excerpts).

[Harry]

I had the same question, but Amazon has this as download as well (so we can see all the tracks). I compared the Giselle and Delibes discs (all of which I have complete with the same artists) and they match. So the Deccas seems to have complete versions (not including the excerpts).

So that will be the box to go for, well lets see if Abeille has it cheap, for JPC sells it at 58 euro's, a little steep for some very old recordings.

[DarkAngel]

On the Arkiv site, for many of the ballets, it says excerpts. If these are not the full ballets, it makes the EMI pretty uncompetitive (if you want the full ballets anyway). Have you gotten it yet to be able to determine this?

EMI box are not complete ballet if noted as excerpts in track list.........but they are extended excerpts.
For instance Tchaikovsky 3 ballets suites can fit on 1 CD, but the extended excerpts require 2.5 Cds

I would have preferred EMI box expand to 70+ CDs and have all complete works, but looks like this is more of an extended survey and not complete collected works

Do not have the Decca box so cannot comment, buyer needs to do homework

[DarkAngel]

So that will be the box to go for, well lets see if Abeille has it cheap, for JPC sells it at 58 euro's, a little steep for some very old recordings.

It does appear that the Decca box has fewer but more complete works, the EMI box has more works but many are extended excerpts and not complete works......take your pick

BTW these are not some old mono recordings, they are stereo and sound very good, I have many of the complete sets now

Decca box
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=282752

[Harry]

Could someone give a link in Europe the cheapest seller of this Decca box. I found it a s low as 52 euro's on a Dutch site.

[DarkAngel]

 

For people who want to be more complete......

If you can find the Fete Du Ballet box of ballet rarities for good price there is little overlap with 35CD Decca box and you would have just about everything a ballet fan would need......

[mc ukrneal]

 

For people who want to be more complete......

If you can find the Fete Du Ballet box of ballet rarities for good price there is little overlap with 35CD Decca box and you would have just about everything a ballet fan would need......

That fete du ballet box is one of the best purchases I ever made. Much of the music is terribly rare and hard to find. And the performances are outstanding. I play this often and I just don't tire of it. It is one of the few sets I've ever bought where I would willingly buy it for retail price (if I had to replace it for example). It really is worth the time and effort. 

[Harry]

That box with 10 cd's is not to be had under 60 euro's

[Opus106]

That box with 10 cd's is not to be had under 60 euro's

At a discounted price of $55.64: http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4685782 .

[Harry]

At a discounted price of $55.64: http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4685782 .

Thanks ordered that one, the other box is quite expensive there!
The 35 Decca box I ordered in Holland

[stingo]

On the ballet boxes, are they excerpts from the ballets or the full scores?

ETA: Saw the info on an earlier page - excerpts.

[mc ukrneal]

On the ballet boxes, are they excerpts from the ballets or the full scores?

ETA: Saw the info on an earlier page - excerpts.

Appears that the EMI is excerpts. The Decca MAsterpieces box appears to be mostly complete. Fete du Ballet is a mix (and is mostly rarer stuff).

[nigeld]

Before we all get bored with the anniversary year for Chopin.....

I thought this 6cd box from EMI was good value at £9.50 although maybe too much of a mixture of artists.   I decided instead to go for the 10cd set of Rubinstein for £28 from MDT.  Still pretty good value I think?

[George]

Not the best transfer, but for $7.99 (MP3 format) it's a good way to sample the composers performances of his own works.
Link

[Manos]

For this weekend, ArkivMusic is selling Stile Antico's new album for $14.99, the lowest price I've found.

[Scarpia]

Got this one, 5 cds, for 6.73 pounds, plus 3 pounds shipping.  A few days ago got Gary Cooper's WTC on ASV for 3.99 pounds.



zoverstocks, a marketplace seller on amazon.co.uk has some very fine deals.  I have my fingers crossed regarding their shipping and customer service.

[Renfield]

Got this one, 5 cds, for 6.73 pounds, plus 3 pounds shipping.  A few days ago got Gary Cooper's WTC on ASV for 3.99 pounds.



zoverstocks, a marketplace seller on amazon.co.uk has some very fine deals.  I have my fingers crossed regarding their shipping and customer service.

I am also keeping my eye on that very seller, for that very item.

Do let us know how it turns out; I'm a little worried by just how good an offer this is for a new copy, even from 'overstock'...

[Novi]

zoverstocks, a marketplace seller on amazon.co.uk has some very fine deals.  I have my fingers crossed regarding their shipping and customer service.

I've bought from this seller before - both used and new items - no problems.

[AnthonyAthletic]

I too have bought over 20 items over the last year from ZOverstocks UK.  They have always delivered within 3 - 5 days from UK to UK addresses and their prices really are that good.  I've picked up many full price discs for £1.25 down to 25p!!! 

My best buys from them were the RVW Symphonies, 7cd Naxos set for £4, I currently have some Schnittke and Bruckner's 8th on order at just over £1 each, the Bruckner a 2cd set off the beaten path version by D R Davies.

[Elgarian]

I am also keeping my eye on that very seller, for that very item. [Elgar/Andrew Davis set]

Do let us know how it turns out; I'm a little worried by just how good an offer this is for a new copy, even from 'overstock'...

For what it's worth, I think there are some fine performances in that box, though it's perhaps a bit uneven. I listened to it for the first time in a little cottage tucked into the side of the Malvern Hills, and wasn't disappointed by anything that I heard. His Enigma and Cockaigne are particularly good, and although I seem to recall that Penguin Guide thought little of his 1st symphony, I find it very satisfying. Seeing this exposure of it here inclines me to blow the dust off it and spin the discs again.

[Orpheus]

It's not Christmas' time, but this is perhaps a valuable offer



http://www.amazon.fr/No%C3%ABl-Baroque-Compilation/dp/B002MPETW6/ref=tpi_image_33?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_m=A1X6FK5RDHNB96&pf_rd_p=94692307&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0Z3E6TDNQ7ZFWCTGNCSB&pf_rd_i=301174

Orpheus 

[AnthonyAthletic]

Three nice bargains, delivered yesterday.  The first two are at £1.06p each, the Schnittke at £1.24p each.

I'm still working on the Mozart 21st, but the 9th is really lovely playing.  Vibrant, bouncy and everything the Jeunehomme should be.  Loved it.

The Bruckner 8th with DRD won't be everyone's cup of tea, read the reviews to see about the changes to this edition.  A good stoic performance, not quite top 10...maybe top 20, still it was enjoyable, nonetheless.

Just couldn't turn Schnittke down, especially at this price, on the Profil label.  Looking forward to this later this evening, when all is quiet.

Mozart - Piano Concertos Nos 9 & 21 - Sony
Lawrence Foster (Conductor), North German Radio Symphony Orchestra
Yu Kosuge (Piano)
Here: Mozart 9-21

Bruckner - Symphony 8 in C Minor (Dennis Russell Davies - Bruckner Orch Linz)
Here: Bruckner 8

Schnittke - Cello & Piano Works - Tatjana Geringas (Piano)
Here: Schnittke Cello

[Coopmv]

It's not Christmas' time, but this is perhaps a valuable offer



http://www.amazon.fr/No%C3%ABl-Baroque-Compilation/dp/B002MPETW6/ref=tpi_image_33?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_m=A1X6FK5RDHNB96&pf_rd_p=94692307&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0Z3E6TDNQ7ZFWCTGNCSB&pf_rd_i=301174

Orpheus 

Indeed, I have never bought a bad recording on DHM ...

[Lethevich]

Tony - thanks, I picked up the Schnittke. I'm used to marketplace sellers going that low at times, but with free shipping, it's even nicer when Amazon does it.

Edit: found some more, for those interested -





It looks like the £1.24 bracket is a loss - only the Schnittke is in it, so no wins there.

[Orpheus]

Just ordered by amazon.fr for a incredible price!



Orpheus 

[Scarpia]

I don't know if this qualifies as "super-duper", but picked this one up, new for $33, on Amazon Marketplace.



Used the proceeds from selling the Neumann/Czech, which was really dull.

[DavidW]

Considering the price that cycle used to cost, that is super!

[Scarpia]

There's also this



for $15.  The question is how much would they have to pay me to listen to it.     If they had put out the Bruggens set instead in would have been more interesting.

[snyprrr]

Just to let you know the Bvhaast site is having a great sale. Many things are 5 EU and 2.50 EU. I got a few things that were over $40 on Amazon! Check it out!

[Que]

Just to let you know the Bvhaast site is having a great sale. Many things are 5 EU and 2.50 EU. I got a few things that were over $40 on Amazon! Check it out!

And here is the link:



Q

[Brian]

It's a full Bruckner cycle, with Te Deum, on 11 CDs, for 10 euros at JPC. I don't know much about the recordings, but there are sound samples for every track.



For 6 euros, a GREAT deal. Piano lovers, buy!



Not as super-duper a bargain as the others at 20 euros, but you get 7 Lehar operettas.

[ammar]

A mere snip at only 19 euros per disc - http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00118YMAE/ 

[Lethevich]

Just to point out that 6 months later, Naxos Direct UK's "new year" sale is still on. Sadly they only ship inside the UK, but for those fortunate (for once) enough to live here shipping is free, and there are some freakish bargains (DaCapo full price discs for £3, for eg):

http://www.naxosdirect.co.uk/page/new%20year%20sale

[Coopmv]

A mere snip at only 19 euros per disc - http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00118YMAE/ 

No matter.  Karajan is still the god of classical music in Japan and the Japanese will buy these special editions with both hands ...

[ammar]

Some bargains to be had today, but you'll have to work for them...

One of Amazon.co.uk's major marketplace sellers, Zoverstocks, has a number of classical CDs reduced to £2.98. Now, I know they're all listed as used but, having had numerous dealings with them, I'd say that 80% of their used CDs are 'as new', and the remaining 20% show very minor signs of use. Through my great powers of deduction, I'm guessing that they resell stock returned from major UK retailers (a la Entertainment UK's old Amazon.co.uk presence, Directoffers - EUK was the distribution arm of the 'dearly departed' Woolworths store, FYI).

So...

Go here -  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/browse.html?node=125553011

Do a search for the label you're interested in, sort price from low to high, get to the £2.98 mark and hopefully there will be something of interest. Try Hyperion first and you'll see what I mean.

(Best bet is to stick to the independents; I've just ordered a bundle (what is the proper collective term for CDs?) of Hyperion, Bis and Coro CDs)

Happy hunting

[Brian]

Some bargains to be had today, but you'll have to work for them...

One of Amazon.co.uk's major marketplace sellers, Zoverstocks, has a number of classical CDs reduced to £2.98. Now, I know they're all listed as used but, having had numerous dealings with them, I'd say that 80% of their used CDs are 'as new', and the remaining 20% show very minor signs of use. Through my great powers of deduction, I'm guessing that they resell stock returned from major UK retailers (a la Entertainment UK's old Amazon.co.uk presence, Directoffers - EUK was the distribution arm of the 'dearly departed' Woolworths store, FYI).

So...

Go here -  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/browse.html?node=125553011

Do a search for the label you're interested in, sort price from low to high, get to the £2.98 mark and hopefully there will be something of interest. Try Hyperion first and you'll see what I mean.

(Best bet is to stick to the independents; I've just ordered a bundle (what is the proper collective term for CDs?) of Hyperion, Bis and Coro CDs)

Happy hunting

They have several volumes of Jeno Jando's Beethoven piano sonatas available for as low as £0.01! At that price, I find them hard to resist.

But...what will shipping to America cost?

[ammar]

They have several volumes of Jeno Jando's Beethoven piano sonatas available for as low as £0.01! At that price, I find them hard to resist.

But...what will shipping to America cost?

I'm guessing that the standard marketplace shipping rates apply - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=3149611

All my (domestic) orders were dispatched individually, don't know if they would 'parcel up' overseas orders - I've fallen foul of that method in the past (domestic sales tax + import tax + courier's administrative charge ) )

[Brian]

Holy crap! I found 20 CDs adding up to 20 pounds' worth of goods, but the shipping charge is 58 quid - adding up to $123 US dollars for a bunch of overstocked old Naxos CDs! No way. If only I were in England :-/

[Sergeant Rock]

Carlos Kleiber's DG recordings have been boxed; 12 CDs for 35 Euro.



Sarge

[Opus106]

Carlos Kleiber's DG recordings have been boxed; 12 CDs for 35 Euro.


Sarge

Too bad I have all the orchestral works sans the Schubert 3rd, and I'm not interested in (the) opera(s) right now. DG have also released a 10-DVD set with live performances including two years of the of VPO New Year's Concert.

[Sergeant Rock]

Too bad I have all the orchestral works sans the Schubert 3rd, and I'm not interested in [the] opera right now. DG have also released a 10-DVD set with live performances including two years of the of VPO New Year's Concert.

I already have everything, including the operas. I was considering the box, though, just to get the CD version of Freischütz (I've been making do with the LPs) but noticed the regular edition of the opera is only 18 Euro now. So...no box for me.

Sarge

[flyingdutchman]

No matter.  Karajan is still the god of classical music in Japan and the Japanese will buy these special editions with both hands ...

Not they won't

[Scarpia]

Not they won't

If DG had done what EMI did, and package his entire discography in a very compact package, I probably would have bought it.  I have enough of his old CDs in their original CD editions, that I could probably have sold them to fanatics on ebay and raised enough money to offset the megaset.  But, it was not to be.

[listener]

There's a "Complete Bach" box coming from Brilliant next month (Presto news)
J.S. Bach: Complete Edition    (CD - 157 discs)  $159.49
157CD+2DVD+1DVD-ROM.
Complete works on CD
MANY NEW AND PERIOD-INSTRUMENT RECORDINGS
Includes Diapason award-winning recordings
NEW EDITION INCLUDES MARKUS-PASSION
DVDs of Matthäus Passion & Johannes-Passion
COMPLETE SCORES ON DVD-ROM
Sung texts and translations booklet notes & biographies
Brilliant Classics Complete Editions - 94050 

Scheduled for release on 9 August 2010.
That's all the info for now. 

[Opus106]

There's a "Complete Bach" box coming from Brilliant next month (Presto news)
J.S. Bach: Complete Edition    (CD - 157 discs)  $159.49
157CD+2DVD+1DVD-ROM.
Complete works on CD
MANY NEW AND PERIOD-INSTRUMENT RECORDINGS
Includes Diapason award-winning recordings
NEW EDITION INCLUDES MARKUS-PASSION
DVDs of Matthäus Passion & Johannes-Passion
COMPLETE SCORES ON DVD-ROM
Sung texts and translations booklet notes & biographies
Brilliant Classics Complete Editions - 94050 

Scheduled for release on 9 August 2010.
That's all the info for now. 

Thanks. Some of the names involved in the performances:

Kussmaul, Hengelbrock, Schornsheim, Belder, Lubotsy, ter Linden,
Preston, Pinnock, Savall, Lindberg, Fagius, Zomer, Huggett,
Berben,Wuyts,Holton,Meel,Holland Boy Choir,Mathis,Wentz,
Belder,La Stravaganza,Kirkby,Hill,Agnew,Chance,Brandenburg
Consort,The Sixteen,Christophers,Netherlands Bach

I don't know if all of them were part of the earlier box. I wonder if the recording of 1080 included in the set is the one by Hill (for Hänssler).

JPC

[prémont]

Thanks. Some of the names involved in the performances:

Kussmaul, Hengelbrock, Schornsheim, Belder, Lubotsy, ter Linden,
Preston, Pinnock, Savall, Lindberg, Fagius, Zomer, Huggett,
Berben,Wuyts,Holton,Meel,Holland Boy Choir,Mathis,Wentz,
Belder,La Stravaganza,Kirkby,Hill,Agnew,Chance,Brandenburg
Consort,The Sixteen,Christophers,Netherlands Bach

I don't know if all of them were part of the earlier box. I wonder if the recording of 1080 included in the set is the one by Hill (for Hänssler).

It must be Martyn Hill, the English tenor!
So no new names, as far as I am concerned.

[Antoine Marchand]

It must be Martyn Hill, the English tenor!
So no new names, as far as I am concerned.

I would say the same, no new material there.

[Opus106]

Thanks for the clarification, gentlemen.

[OzRadio]

There's a "Complete Bach" box coming from Brilliant next month (Presto news)
J.S. Bach: Complete Edition    (CD - 157 discs)  $159.49

They already did one complete Bach box set, can't they do a big fat complete Handel? I'd jump on that.

[Scarpia]

What I'd like is the cheapest decent recording of the complete Bach Cantatas.  I think I will probably find most of it less than riveting, but I'd like to have it.  Brilliant has a set, but I seem to recall it being panned by most people.

[Orpheus]

Just ordered for € 26...

[DavidW]

What I'd like is the cheapest decent recording of the complete Bach Cantatas.  I think I will probably find most of it less than riveting, but I'd like to have it.  Brilliant has a set, but I seem to recall it being panned by most people.

If you read this Harnoncourt/Leonhardt.

[Elgarian]

About 30-odd years ago I went through the anguish of deciding which Ring to buy, against a background of not having any money. The obvious best choice back then was the Decca/Solti recording, but it was simply out of reach, and I settled on the significantly cheaper but still highly regarded Bohm/Bayreuth version. Well, I played the grooves out of those LPs and thought it was a superb recording, but I always hankered after a Solti set.

The day came when I disposed of all my vinyl and therefore needed a Ring on CD. Again I was faced with a similar choice; and again I chose Bohm, because the Solti was twice the price. And Bohm is still all I have, apart from the 2CDs of Solti excerpts that I turn to whenever I read John Culshaw's book and want to taste the flavour of what I've missed all these years. Somehow, I just never could justify to myself spending over £100 for a recording that, however important it seemed to me 30 years ago, probably belonged more to my past than my future.

Today I was browsing through Amazon uk and saw the Solti Ring on offer for £51, postage free. That was less than half the price I normally associate with that set, and my order was in place before you could say 'Hojotoho! Hojotoho!'. Maybe the Solti Ring has dipped down to these sort of price levels before, and I just missed it? I don't know. But if anyone else out there wants a fifty quid Solti Ring, here's how to get one, here and now:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Ring-Nibelungen-Richard/dp/B0000042H4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279225056&sr=1-1

[DavidRoss]

Just ordered for € 26...

From whom, please?

[The new erato]

From whom, please?

jpc.de had it for 20 € last I checked.

[DavidRoss]

But if anyone else out there wants a fifty quid Solti Ring, here's how to get one, here and now:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Ring-Nibelungen-Richard/dp/B0000042H4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279225056&sr=1-1

Nice find, Alan, and thanks for sharing the source.  Solti's Ring deserves all the praise it's received over the years, making the best case I've heard for Wagner's epic.

[DavidRoss]

jpc.de had it for 20 € last I checked.

Wow...thanks!  I'll look into it!

[Elgarian]

Nice find, Alan, and thanks for sharing the source.  Solti's Ring deserves all the praise it's received over the years, making the best case I've heard for Wagner's epic.

Nice to see you back, Dave. All I want now is a cheap Goodall (English) Ring, and I'll be a happy Wagnerian. I was one of the privileged audience who attended English National Opera's Twilight of the Gods with Rita Hunter in Manchester, back in about 1974/5. We sweltered in the heat, hour after hour, while she transformed herself into an unforgettable Brunnhilde before our eyes. I remember the applause going on and on, afterwards, until our hands hurt and our arms ached.

[karlhenning]

Hoy, a Dave sighting!

[DavidRoss]

Howdy, gents...it's always a pleasure to encounter you fellows!

BTW, the Brüggen box of Haydn symphonies is still available from jpc.  Even with the high cost of postage to the States, it's still quite a deal and I jumped on it.  Thanks, erato!

[Que]

Also at jpc: a Glossa Bonanza!
(single disc: €5, double €8, some issues of the Händel Italian cantatas series for €10)

Q

[Coopmv]

Holy crap! I found 20 CDs adding up to 20 pounds' worth of goods, but the shipping charge is 58 quid - adding up to $123 US dollars for a bunch of overstocked old Naxos CDs! No way. If only I were in England :-/

Brian, Isn't this often the case - great prices on CD's but lousy shipping costs?

[The new erato]

There's a bunch of new EMI Icons on the way, Fischer, Fournier, Kempe, Larrocha and Wunderlich IIRC.

[George]

There's a bunch of new EMI Icons on the way, Fischer, Fournier, Kempe, Larrocha and Wunderlich IIRC.

Edwin or Annie?

[Orpheus]

Edwin or Annie?

Edwin!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwin-Fischer-Icon/dp/B003D0ZNKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279712299&sr=1-1

[George]

thanks

[Brian]

Fournier,

But...but...the Bach and Dvorak are on DG!

[The new erato]

But...but...the Bach and Dvorak are on DG!

Maybe they stole it and that's why it is cheap. Or you can take it up with DG and see the price skyroceket.

[Orpheus]

But...but...the Bach and Dvorak are on DG!

Dvorak is the first recording with Kubelik (18-19 Oct 1948 owned by EMI 

[Orpheus]

But...Fournier, Fischer and Larrocha boxes contain complete Emi recordings by this artists? What's missing?

[prémont]

Thanks. Some of the names involved in the performances:

Kussmaul, Hengelbrock, Schornsheim, Belder, Lubotsy, ter Linden,
Preston, Pinnock, Savall, Lindberg, Fagius, Zomer, Huggett,
Berben,Wuyts,Holton,Meel,Holland Boy Choir,Mathis,Wentz,
Belder,La Stravaganza,Kirkby,Hill,Agnew,Chance,Brandenburg
Consort,The Sixteen,Christophers,Netherlands Bach

I don't know if all of them were part of the earlier box.

I have to correct my former statement about new recordings in the new Brilliant Bach box.

Leon Berben´s horrible WTC has been replaced by Pieter-Jan Belder´s WTC, - a great improvement.

The Violin concertos by Emmy Verhey have been replaced by recordings by Dimitri Sitkovetsky - not necessarily an improvement.

Stephen Preston´s Flute sonatas have been replaced by the Flute sonatas by Jan Wentz, and furthermore I suspect that Wentz´s Musicalsches Opfer also is included in the new release, - certainly a reduction in value IMO.

[Antoine Marchand]

I have to correct my former statement about new recordings in the new Brilliant Bach box.

Leon Berben´s horrible WTC has been replaced by Pieter-Jan Belder´s WTC, - a great improvement.

The Violin concertos by Emmy Verhey have been replaced by recordings by Dimitri Sitkovetsky - not necessarily an improvement.

Stephen Preston´s Flute sonatas have been replaced by the Flute sonatas by Jan Wentz, and furthermore I suspect that Wentz´s Musicalsches Opfer also is included in the new release, - certainly a reduction in value IMO.

I understood your previous reply in the way that no "new recordings", i.e., released for first time on Brilliant Classics, were included in the new big box. But, obviously, during the last years Brilliant has replaced for own releases a considerable amount of material previously licensed from another labels. I would add to your list the following discs:

- Brandenburg Concertos: Originally, Consort of London, Robert Haydon Clark (excellent). Now: Musica Amphion/ Pieter-Jan Belder.

- Orchestral Suites: Originally, Consort of London, Robert Haydon Clark. Now: La Stravaganza Köln/ Andrew Manze (licensed from Denon).

- Concerti for 2, 3 & 4 harpsichords: Originally: Schornsheim, Heiller et. al. Now: Pieter-Jan Belder, Menno van Delft, Siebe Henstra et al/ Musica Amphion.

- Cello Suites: Originally, Robert Cohen (cello). Now: Jaap ter Linden.

IMO, the only real improvement is represented for the Cello Suites by ter Linden. The Orchestral Suites licensed from Denon are also excellent, but Robert Haydon Clark and his group were very good (although on modern instruments).

Finally, I agree with you, the replacement of the Flute Sonatas is a loss for future buyers. On the other hand, Belder for Berben will be a blessing. 

[Opus106]

Is the recording of the flute sonatas the two of you are referring to the same as the one available from CRD -- Pinnock, Preston and Savall?

I was, in fact, recently looking around the web for recordings of these works (seeing how much I love what Bach has done with the oboe and flute in his cantatas and such), but sadly, I could not find not many (HIPPI recordings).

[Antoine Marchand]

Is the recording of the flute sonatas the two of you are referring to the same as the one available from CRD -- Pinnock, Preston and Savall?

I was, in fact, recently looking around the web for recordings of these works (seeing how much I love what Bach has done with the oboe and flute in his cantatas and such), but sadly, I could not find not many (HIPPI recordings).

That's right, Navneeth; those two excellent discs were licensed from CRD. Unfortunately, some of the best versions of the flute sonatas are really hard to find, I'm thinking in Barthold Kuijken (2 CD-set, DHM) and Masahiro Arita (2 CD-set, Denon). That said, Janet See (HM) is also a very good choice (great price, too!); the same with Barthold Kuijken on Accent (just one CD with the "authentic" sonatas). I would avoid the aforementioned Jed Wentz; he is a virtuoso, but his tempi and general style in these works are totally unjustified. 

[Opus106]

Thanks, Antoine.

[Harry]

I would avoid the aforementioned Jed Wentz; he is a virtuoso, but his tempi and general style in these works are totally unjustified. 

I beg your pardon, but I do not agree with this rather hard statement. Where is it written that it should be played in a certain style and tempi.
We could hardly ask Bach now could we?
I think Jed Wentz is a excellent choice in these works.

[Antoine Marchand]

I beg your pardon, but I do not agree with this rather hard statement. Where is it written that it should be played in a certain style and tempi.
We could hardly ask Bach now could we?
I think Jed Wentz is a excellent choice in these works.

If you want your Bach played in gallant style, I don't have any problem at all, dear Harry... But any day I prefer Barthold Kuijken, Stephen Preston, Masahiro Arita, Marc Hantaï or Janet See -over Jed Wentz- in this repertoire. They are more consistent with the idea that many hours of listening –I know you are a dedicated listener- and some readings have left in me about how to interpret the music of Bach. Just as an exercise, tell me if the Andante of BWV 1030 really sounds like an "andante" (= walker, to walk) in your ears.

[Antoine Marchand]

Thanks, Antoine.

You're welcome, Navneeth. For some reason, I forgot another of my favourite versions:





Really, an exceptional disc. 

[Opus106]

You're welcome, Navneeth. For some reason, I forgot another of my favourite versions:



Really, an exceptional disc. 

So, essentially, everything except the Wentz? (I just sampled the first allegro from 1080 1079, and he is indeed fast. It's flowing nicely, but too rapidly for my tastes, given that I come from listening to CMW/Harnoncourt in this particular work.)

[Antoine Marchand]

So, essentially, everything except the Wentz?

Not really. For example, I wouldn't either recommend Pahud/Pinnock or Nicolet/Richter, among the versions that I have.

[Opus106]

Not really. For example, I wouldn't either recommend Pahud/Pinnock or Nicolet/Richter, among the versions that I have.

I was just kidding.

[Antoine Marchand]

I was just kidding.

I know, I know, funny boy.  I just wrote that "for the record". 

[Antoine Marchand]

... I just sampled the first allegro from 1080..

[Opus106]

If I remember correctly, the last time you posted one of these, it was meant to convey amazement, in a good sort of way. Does that hold now also?

[Antoine Marchand]

If I remember correctly, the last time you posted one of these, it was meant to convey amazement, in a good sort of way. Does that hold now also?

Oh, yes. The Art of Fugue on baroque flute will always be an event in itself. 

[Opus106]

Oh, yes. The Art of Fugue on baroque flute will always be an event in itself. 

Oops!

[Harry]

If you want your Bach played in gallant style, I don't have any problem at all, dear Harry... But any day I prefer Barthold Kuijken, Stephen Preston, Masahiro Arita, Marc Hantaï or Janet See -over Jed Wentz- in this repertoire. They are more consistent with the idea that many hours of listening –I know you are a dedicated listener- and some readings have left in me about how to interpret the music of Bach. Just as an exercise, tell me if the Andante of BWV 1030 really sounds like an "andante" (= walker, to walk) in your ears.

That would be a discussion about tempi, thats very dangerous, remembering a dispute I had with a Beethoven addict about the interpretation of tempi Zinman is using in his Beethoven. Would you forgive me, if I dare not go into a discussion about tempi? Certainly not in the open. PM me about it if you please.

[Harry]

You're welcome, Navneeth. For some reason, I forgot another of my favourite versions:





Really, an exceptional disc. 

I have that too, and agree about its excellence.

[Harry]

So, essentially, everything except the Wentz? (I just sampled the first allegro from 1080 1079, and he is indeed fast. It's flowing nicely, but too rapidly for my tastes, given that I come from listening to CMW/Harnoncourt in this particular work.)

Well I rather like that. Fast and furious.

[Antoine Marchand]

That would be a discussion about tempi, thats very dangerous, remembering a dispute I had with a Beethoven addict about the interpretation of tempi Zinman is using in his Beethoven. Would you forgive me, if I dare not go into a discussion about tempi? Certainly not in the open. PM me about it if you please.

A rough dispute between us? It's not a realistic possibility, Harry. You know I appreciate and respect your opinions.

[Guido]

Martinu's 6 symphonies recorded on Chandos - 3 CDs, something like £8.50 on Amazon at the moment. A magnificent recent purchase - I can't recommend this enough, and also cant thank the person who recommended them to me enough!

[Sergeant Rock]

Martinu's 6 symphonies recorded on Chandos - 3 CDs, something like £8.50 on Amazon at the moment. A magnificent recent purchase - I can't recommend this enough, and also cant thank the person who recommended them to me enough!

I grabbed that last week. An astonishing bargain. Was it a mistake by Amazon? It was odd: they had the Thomson Martinu box listed twice: for £40, and for £8 ...I decided to order the latter   Now, if only they make the same mistake with Thomson's RVW cycle, I'll be a happy camper.

Sarge

[Harry]

A rough dispute between us? It's not a realistic possibility, Harry. You know I appreciate and respect your opinions.

Allright than, you know I want to keep peace amongst us all, but since you make me comfortable, I tell you this. I think the swift tempi applied by Jed Wentz very sensible. I do not take the tempo markings by Bach as fixed at all. There is place and space for such a interpretation, like there is for David Zinman's very swift tempi. Everyone fell over him because of it, but Beethoven's  own markings gave him the tools to apply it. Its all about hearing! If you can hear the inner tempi feel them, as Herbert von Karajan said, you know what the right tempi are, regardless of what is written down. When I listen to a piece I can hear if the tempi are wrong or right, it has to do with how the notes were written down.  If the tempi are not right in my ears the work is ruined for me. There is not much music around that can hold its own if you lower or speed the tempi too much. I am very inadequate in explaining this but there you go, its the best I can. I trashed so many recordings in the early days, that had to do with tempi, starting with Claudio Abbado's interpretation of the Brahms Symphonies on DGG, I broke the records in several pieces, and that was the start of a long career. I do it less now though.  

[Harry]

I grabbed that last week. An astonishing bargain. Was it a mistake by Amazon? It was odd: they had the Thomson Martinu box listed twice: for £40, and for £8 ...I decided to order the latter   Now, if only they make the same mistake with Thomson's RVW cycle, I'll be a happy camper.

Sarge

I bought it at JPCde for 8,99 euro's so that fits. And I told all on GMG it was so, but to no avail, still wondering about that.

[prémont]

I understood your previous reply in the way that no "new recordings", i.e., released for first time on Brilliant Classics, were included in the new big box. But, obviously, during the last years Brilliant has replaced for own releases a considerable amount of material previously licensed from another labels. I would add to your list the following discs:

- Brandenburg Concertos: Originally, Consort of London, Robert Haydon Clark (excellent). Now: Musica Amphion/ Pieter-Jan Belder.

- Orchestral Suites: Originally, Consort of London, Robert Haydon Clark. Now: La Stravaganza Köln/ Andrew Manze (licensed from Denon).

- Concerti for 2, 3 & 4 harpsichords: Originally: Schornsheim, Heiller et. al. Now: Pieter-Jan Belder, Menno van Delft, Siebe Henstra et al/ Musica Amphion.

- Cello Suites: Originally, Robert Cohen (cello). Now: Jaap ter Linden.

IMO, the only real improvement is represented for the Cello Suites by ter Linden. The Orchestral Suites licensed from Denon are also excellent, but Robert Haydon Clark and his group were very good (although on modern instruments).

All the changes you mention were included in the second version of the Bach box, so I thought they were well known and not relevant to the discussion of the third version of the box.

[Antoine Marchand]

All the changes you mention were included in the second version of the Bach box, so I thought they were well known and not relevant to the discussion of the third version of the box.

I don't exactly know the dates of the changes experimented for that box; I have the original edition and I have simply added the new discs. But, if you're right, it would mean that, f.i., the new Brandenburgs and the concerti for several harpsichords (Belder/ Musica Amphion) were released for the first time in the "second" big box and, just then, re-released individually in 2007. I believe it's possible because both of them were recorded at the same time in 2006 (may/june). Obviously, the case of the "new" flute sonatas and WTC would be rather different because they were individually released some time ago and now would be simply added to the box, which was the point of my original response to this issue.   

P.S.: the Cello Suites were also recorded in June 2006.

[prémont]

I don't exactly know the dates of the changes experimented for that box; I have the original edition and I have simply added the new discs. But, if you're right, it would mean that, f.i., the new Brandenburgs and the concerti for several harpsichords (Belder/ Musica Amphion) were released for the first time in the "second" big box and, just then, re-released individually in 2007. I believe it's possible because both of them were recorded at the same time in 2006 (may/june).

I think these are the facts.  At least I had never heard of these recordings of Belder(nor ter Linden´s second take of the Cello suites) until I acquired the second Bach box release.

Obviously, the case of the "new" flute sonatas and WTC would be rather different because they were individually released some time ago and now would be simply added to the box, which was the point of my original response to this issue.   
P.S.: the Cello Suites were also recorded in June 2006.

Point taken.

[Antoine Marchand]

Allright than, you know I want to keep peace amongst us all, but since you make me comfortable, I tell you this. I think the swift tempi applied by Jed Wentz very sensible. I do not take the tempo markings by Bach as fixed at all. There is place and space for such a interpretation, like there is for David Zinman's very swift tempi. Everyone fell over him because of it, but Beethoven's  own markings gave him the tools to apply it. Its all about hearing! If you can hear the inner tempi feel them, as Herbert von Karajan said, you know what the right tempi are, regardless of what is written down. When I listen to a piece I can hear if the tempi are wrong or right, it has to do with how the notes were written down.  If the tempi are not right in my ears the work is ruined for me. There is not much music around that can hold its own if you lower or speed the tempi too much. I am very inadequate in explaining this but there you go, its the best I can. I trashed so many recordings in the early days, that had to do with tempi, starting with Claudio Abbado's interpretation of the Brahms Symphonies on DGG, I broke the records in several pieces, and that was the start of a long career. I do it less now though.  

It's clear for me, Harry. You're a boy a lot wilder than I am. 

[Harry]

It's clear for me, Harry. You're a boy a lot wilder than I am. 

As I said I mended my ways and give the CD'S away. And regarding the tempi, well thats entirely a personal thing. Funny thing I had a phone call from a friend the other day, he lives in Australia now, and we got to talk about the days in which we listen to classical music together, and he remembered one thing that fits to the way I listen in the olden days. It was on a Sunday and he went down to the living room to get some malt, on his way back, he heard somebody swearing loud in a very angry tone, at first he thought someone came in and fought with me so he hurried up, but close at the door he heard me alone, cursing Kurt Masur, while listening to his absurd tempi notions concerning the Bruch Symphonies. He said he never heard me so angry and he waited until I broke the record, waited still a little after I put music from Corelli on and than came in. When he saw the broken pieces he did not mention them further but I knew he wanted to ask about it, but seeing that I calmed down he refrained from it. But I am a good boy now, although when I said that he laughed quite heartily and said he did not believe one word of it.

[Opus106]

I trashed so many recordings in the early days, that had to do with tempi, starting with Claudio Abbado's interpretation of the Brahms Symphonies on DGG

He said he never heard me so angry and he waited until I broke the record, waited still a little after I put music from Corelli

Ah, those must be the WoO from the catalogue. Are they Harry?

[Harry]

Ah, those must be the WoO from the catalogue. Are they Harry?

Yes it must be no doubt

[ammar]

It's been fairly cheap for a while, but the EMI 14CD Richter 'Icon' set is now down to £9.99 on Amazon.co.uk (free super saver delivery within the UK, direct from Amazon) :



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sviatoslav-Richter-Icon/dp/B001B1R1HC/

[DavidRoss]

The resemblance is even more uncanny when you find out that they're both carrying a pink plastic lobster out of shot 

(and no, that isn't a euphemism, before anyone asks -  http://ahmedfernando.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/richters-pink-plastic-lobster/ )

  That's enough to piss off anyone! 

And I'm glad it's not a euphemism...for a moment I thought the mods would shunt this post over to Teresa's porn thread. 

[Scarpia]

It's been fairly cheap for a while, but the EMI 14CD Richter 'Icon' set is now down to £9.99 on Amazon.co.uk (free super saver delivery within the UK, direct from Amazon) :



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sviatoslav-Richter-Icon/dp/B001B1R1HC/

Actually that's 9.99 pounds including VAT, 8.50 for US buyers, but you have to put up 3 pounds for shipping.

[Coopmv]

It's been fairly cheap for a while, but the EMI 14CD Richter 'Icon' set is now down to £9.99 on Amazon.co.uk (free super saver delivery within the UK, direct from Amazon) :



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sviatoslav-Richter-Icon/dp/B001B1R1HC/

This was the second box set by Richter I bought.  The first one was the following Russian archive set ...

[Scarpia]

I don't do downloads, but Mahler complete symphonies, Gielen, for $18.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VRHWLU/ref=s9_simh_gw_p340_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=09V3W0TYCXQQ0D5Q6DSH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

[Lethevich]

http://www.europadisc.co.uk/offer/686/Brilliant_Clearance_Sale.htm

[Chaszz]

http://www.europadisc.co.uk/offer/686/Brilliant_Clearance_Sale.htm

A non-working link, at least via my ISP. Also the home site seems to not be there.

[The new erato]

It did work when I tried it right after it was posted, but not now.

[Chaszz]

Please excuse me if these have already been discussed here, as I don't have time to go thru the whole thread. Getting more and more into lesser known late Romantics, I wonder if there are cheap sources for the complete or partial symphonies of Hubert Parry and Franz Schmidt, and the opera Gezeichneten (The Stigmatized) by Franz Shrecker. Any help would be appreciated.

Part II of the latter opera was broadcast by radio station WQXR in New York City last weekend as part of series on neglected operas. It knocked the socks off me. I never heard of this composer before. Anyone who likes late Romanticism where it merges into early Expressionism may be quite interested in this man's music.

[Lethevich]

Hmm - the sale is linked on the front page of the site, but it does go to the same URL that I posted.

[Papy Oli]

Please excuse me if these have already been discussed here, as I don't have time to go thru the whole thread. Getting more and more into lesser known late Romantics, I wonder if there are cheap sources for the complete or partial symphonies of Hubert Parry and Franz Schmidt, and the opera Gezeichneten (The Stigmatized) by Franz Shrecker. Any help would be appreciated.

If you don't mind the download format :

http://www.emusic.com/album/Marcy-Chanteaux-SCHMIDT-Symphonies-complete-MP3-Download/11155674.html

http://www.emusic.com/artist/Hubert-Parry-MP3-Download/11601584.html

http://www.emusic.com/album/William-Cochran-SCHREKER-Die-Gezeichneten-MP3-Download/10869881.html


Probably some more in there....

[listener]

re the Schrecker
This DVD is less expensive compared to the OOP Opera Rara CD, and is listed at amazon, hbdirect and presto.    The tenor is not a dwarf hunchback transvestite, though.

[The new erato]

re the Schrecker
This DVD is less expensive compared to the OOP Opera Rara CD, and is listed at amazon, hbdirect and presto.    The tenor is not a dwarf hunchback transvestite, though.

I was going to recommend this as well - superb production!

[Wanderer]

I was going to recommend this as well - superb production!

I enthusiastically third this recommendation. 

[Chaszz]

If you don't mind the download format :

http://www.emusic.com/album/Marcy-Chanteaux-SCHMIDT-Symphonies-complete-MP3-Download/11155674.html

http://www.emusic.com/artist/Hubert-Parry-MP3-Download/11601584.html

http://www.emusic.com/album/William-Cochran-SCHREKER-Die-Gezeichneten-MP3-Download/10869881.html


Probably some more in there....

Thank you all for your recommendations.
How does the emusic cost of "49c per song" translate into an opera or symphony?

[The new erato]

Thank you all for your recommendations.
How does the emusic cost of "49c per song" translate into an opera or symphony?

I guess that depends upon whether it's a number opera or Wagner.

[Elgarian]

Not sure how new this news is, but this Bohm/Bayreuth/Nilsson/Windgassen Tristan - one of the frontrunners in the Tristan Recordings Stakes - is currently available for an astonishing £12.99 at Amazon.uk, here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Tristan-Isolde-Richard/dp/B000001GXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1283760441&sr=1-1

Everywhere else, it costs about double that.

[Scarpia]

There is an Amazon Marketplace vendor selling this 10CD set, which has gotten very good mentions around here, for $29.  I'm waiting to see if they actually follow through on it.



The odd thing is that this set is listed twice on Amazon.com and the prices on the two listings vary widely.

[nigeld]

OK, finally taken the plunge on this box set that I've been considering for a little while.

£100 inc shipping from US to UK.

£1.60 per disc probably qualifies it for super-duper cheap

[Harry]

OK, finally taken the plunge on this box set that I've been considering for a little while.

£100 inc shipping from US to UK.

£1.60 per disc probably qualifies it for super-duper cheap

Could you give a link my friend.

[Orpheus]

Could you give a link my friend.

I found this...

[mc ukrneal]

Could you give a link my friend.

I was looking myself: http://www.amazon.com/Living-Stereo-60-Collection-Box/dp/B003UCPEJ2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1283795289&sr=1-1-fkmr0

[Mirror Image]

I was looking myself: http://www.amazon.com/Living-Stereo-60-Collection-Box/dp/B003UCPEJ2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1283795289&sr=1-1-fkmr0

I knew I should have waited before I bought most of them. 

[nigeld]

Could you give a link my friend.

looks like others have replied before me Harry.  I bought it through www.amazon.com, their US site.  postage was only £4 or so which I thought was remarkably cheap given the size of the package. 

[Chaszz]

If you don't mind the download format :

http://www.emusic.com/album/Marcy-Chanteaux-SCHMIDT-Symphonies-complete-MP3-Download/11155674.html

http://www.emusic.com/artist/Hubert-Parry-MP3-Download/11601584.html

http://www.emusic.com/album/William-Cochran-SCHREKER-Die-Gezeichneten-MP3-Download/10869881.html


Probably some more in there....

I followed up this suggestion. Here is what happened, which experience I also posted today on another thread devoted specifically to emusic: The download process required some tweaking to work properly, the tech services dept. did not get around to my case for a week-and-a-half after I inquired, and in the meantime I was charged 33 song credits for an opera (Die Gezeichneten) I never was able to download. Today I called up (very difficult to find the phone number) to ask them to put the 33 credits back in my trial offer but they refused. They also refused to refund my $11.99 first month's charge, said they have a 'no refund ever' (actual quote) policy, but relented when I reacted rather strongly. I also read after searching the web for emusic complaints that they charge you $99 for a year at the 2nd month's renewal, even though they lead you to believe it is charged monthly.

Perhaps GMG members who joined emusic some time ago may not be experiencing such difficulties. With all due respect for their opinions and experiences, and no criticism intended or implied, I wish to suggest not recommending this company to GMG members who have not experienced it, without looking further into its current operations re new customers.   

[DarkAngel]

Look for this soon...........

Great release for this budget boxset series!

[Papy Oli]

I followed up this suggestion. Here is what happened, which experience I also posted today on another thread devoted specifically to emusic: The download process required some tweaking to work properly, the tech services dept. did not get around to my case for a week-and-a-half after I inquired, and in the meantime I was charged 33 song credits for an opera (Die Gezeichneten) I never was able to download. Today I called up (very difficult to find the phone number) to ask them to put the 33 credits back in my trial offer but they refused. They also refused to refund my $11.99 first month's charge, said they have a 'no refund ever' (actual quote) policy, but relented when I reacted rather strongly. I also read after searching the web for emusic complaints that they charge you $99 for a year at the 2nd month's renewal, even though they lead you to believe it is charged monthly.

Perhaps GMG members who joined emusic some time ago may not be experiencing such difficulties. With all due respect for their opinions and experiences, and no criticism intended or implied, I wish to suggest not recommending this company to GMG members who have not experienced it, without looking further into its current operations re new customers.

Sorry to read about your bad experience with e-music on your side of the pond, Chaszz. I do not know about the tariff format or charges system in their US version, but I have personally never experienced such issues here in the UK since I joined (I have often put my monthly subscription on hold as and when wanted and never been charged incorrectly meanwhile). Such customer service and handling is a poor show indeed for what is, I found, a great source to discover lots of works at a minimal cost.

[The new erato]

http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/cat/single?PRODUCT_NR=4779142



Too much I already have, and too much I don't want, to warrant purchase, just like in the first box. Marvellous sets for beginners, though!

[mc ukrneal]

http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/cat/single?PRODUCT_NR=4779142



Too much I already have, and too much I don't want, to warrant purchase, just like in the first box. Marvellous sets for beginners, though!

Shame some of the discs are so short though. No reason they couldn't put some additional works on here. They have several discs of about 45 minutes and one that is 38 minutes! I realize it is a set, but still...

[The new erato]

Shame some of the discs are so short though. No reason they couldn't put some additional works on here. They have several discs of about 45 minutes and one that is 38 minutes! I realize it is a set, but still...

They have kept the original format from when these releases were on LP. I think that is a good idea and the whole point of a memorial issue like this, and as long as the price is little more than 1£ pr disc I see absolutely no problem with this, if this is the kind of thing you want musically speaking.

To have it on 30 discs at the same price would still be a wonderful bargain if you want the content, but the whole idea with original sleeves etc would be severely compromised. Quality does not always translate to numbers....so I do disagree strongly with your view. That I'm not a buyer is not related to this at all.

[George]

Shame some of the discs are so short though. No reason they couldn't put some additional works on here. They have several discs of about 45 minutes and one that is 38 minutes! I realize it is a set, but still...

Yes, I notice the box isn't green. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Shame some of the discs are so short though. No reason they couldn't put some additional works on here. They have several discs of about 45 minutes and one that is 38 minutes! I realize it is a set, but still...

Yes, I think it's a ghastly idea to stick it to the consumer like this. No reason at all - commemorative issue or not - not to fill up the discs to the fullest. Most folks buying this set won't have even SEEN the original LPs anyway so the nostalgia angle makes no sense.

To me packing the CDs to the fullest would be truly commemorative!

[Scarpia]

Yes, I think it's a ghastly idea to stick it to the consumer like this. No reason at all - commemorative issue or not - not to fill up the discs to the fullest. Most folks buying this set won't have even SEEN the original LPs anyway so the nostalgia angle makes no sense.

To me packing the CDs to the fullest would be truly commemorative!

How is it "sticking it to the consumer" when the price is so low?  The cost of the disc itself is very small compared to the other costs associated with production, so if they had rearranged the material to fit on fewer discs the amount they would have had to charge to make the same profit would be only slightly less.

I don't plan on getting this series since I already have a lot of the material.  I did get two installments from the "Argerich Collection."  There they have retained the original LP programs (and cover art) on the individual CDs and I find it an enhancement worth paying a few extra dollars for.   Having the music arranged chronologically by LP release gives more perspective on the development of the performer.  I probably wouldn't have gotten the releases if not for the distinctive packaging and organization.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

How is it "sticking it to the consumer" when the price is so low?  The cost of the disc itself is very small compared to the other costs associated with production, so if they had rearranged the material to fit on fewer discs the amount they would have had to charge to make the same profit would be only slightly less.

?

If the cost of the discs isn't the issue then FILLING THEM UP should be priority number one!!

[The new erato]

?

If the cost of the discs isn't the issue then FILLING THEM UP should be priority number one!!

No. This is a memorial issue celebrating DG 111 years, filling up the discs and charging the same price for 35 discs would simply mean that instead of copies of the glorious original covers, you would get some cheapo cardboard holders instead. Then you would be really screwed. Price and value is two distinctly different issues, as Oscar Wilde pointed out. Music is about sentiments and value, not price.

[Scarpia]

No. This is a memorial issue celebrating DG 111 years, filling up the discs and charging the same price for 35 discs would simply mean that instead of copies of the glorious original covers, you would get some cheapo cardboard holders instead. Then you would be really screwed. Price and value is two distinctly different issues, as Oscar Wilde pointed out. Music is about sentiments and value, not price.

Exactly, and the same applies to the Argerich Collection, in which the individual discs are packaged in sleeves that show the original LP cover art.  It may cost a bit more to package them this way, but in the case of the Argerich edition, for example, I think it is worth it.

[George]

Exactly, and the same applies to the Argerich Collection, in which the individual discs are packaged in sleeves that show the original LP cover art.  It may cost a bit more to package them this way, but in the case of the Argerich edition, for example, I think it is worth it.

I thought it was a nice touch on the Argerich set, although the rear art is very hard to read on some, impossible in others.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

No. This is a memorial issue celebrating DG 111 years, filling up the discs and charging the same price for 35 discs would simply mean that instead of copies of the glorious original covers, you would get some cheapo cardboard holders instead. Then you would be really screwed. Price and value is two distinctly different issues, as Oscar Wilde pointed out. Music is about sentiments and value, not price.

Well, what is this sentiment you are referring to? There isn't even a "DG" anymore!! It's all Universal. So you won't see me falling for THAT old trick!

[The new erato]

There isn't even a "DG" anymore!! It's all Universal.

That's what makes it so sentimental.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

That's what makes it so sentimental.

I suppose. But with the Giant Conglomerate® having their marketing hand in it I'm still leery.

[Scarpia]

I suppose. But with the Giant Conglomerate® having their marketing hand in it I'm still leery.

The giant conglomerate is making a wider variety of recordings available at a lower price that the original labels ever did, and with packaging that pays homage to the original releases.  What exactly are you complaining about?

(I know, they don't make many new recordings.  Why would they, with the size of back catalog they are sitting on?)

[Dancing Divertimentian]

What exactly are you complaining about?

It's pretty simple. Universal could've jettisoned the silly "sentiment" thing and commemorated DG's past passing by giving us something with modern relevance. Not empty space on CDs.

And anyway, 111??

[The new erato]

It's pretty simple. Universal could've jettisoned the silly "sentiment" thing and commemorated DG's past passing by giving us something with modern relevance. Not empty space on CDs.

And anyway, 111??

Well.....you just been giving several reasons why that wasn't the point at all. So why do you keep harping on it? Just accept the fact that this release isn't meant for you. DG has given us tons of stuff with modern relevance over the years, like their 20/21 series. But those instead, I'm sure some of them are up to your 78 minute ideal.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Well.....you just been giving several reasons why that wasn't the point at all. So why do you keep harping on it? Just accept the fact that this release isn't meant for you. DG has given us tons of stuff with modern relevance over the years, like their 20/21 series. But those instead, I'm sure some of them are up to your 78 minute ideal.

Who's harping? You and Scarpia gave YOUR two cents (and then some), I came along and gave mine, and here we are. What's the beef?

[Scarpia]

It's pretty simple. Universal could've jettisoned the silly "sentiment" thing and commemorated DG's past passing by giving us something with modern relevance. Not empty space on CDs.

And anyway, 111??

What possible difference would it have made if they had squeezed that music onto a smaller number of CD and charged essentially the same price? 

You are like a person who goes into a fancy restaurant and orders fillet mignon, then upon being served, complains that there is empty space on the plate that could have been filled with more food.  What will the waiter do?   Come out with the same fillet mignon on a smaller plate.   

[mc ukrneal]

What possible difference would it have made if they had squeezed that music onto a smaller number of CD and charged essentially the same price? 

Ah, but what if they had squeezed more music onto the same number of discs. You'd be getting a better bang for your buck (and more music to enjoy). You are right though - this release is not for us. I think we can all agree on that.

[Orpheus]

I did non resist



Look here:
http://www.amazon.fr/Bach-Int%C3%A9grale-oeuvres-1947-1952-Original/dp/B0000U1NH4/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1284019482&sr=8-10

It's my first Walcha experience...

[Dancing Divertimentian]

You are like a person who goes into a fancy restaurant and orders fillet mignon, then upon being served, complains that there is empty space on the plate that could have been filled with more food.  What will the waiter do?   Come out with the same fillet mignon on a smaller plate.   

Try telling that to a food critic!!!!

(But if you're still not clear about where I'm coming from simply read urkneal's last post. He gets the picture...)

[The new erato]

It's all very simple really. Buy the set, rip the contents to 35 CD-R's, put them all in plain brown wrappers in the box, and you've got the set you want at the price DG would have to charge for a similar packaging, since that would have far less customers. That way you get what you want, and DGs intended customers get what they want, and everybody's happy.

[Scarpia]

(But if you're still not clear about where I'm coming from simply read urkneal's last post. He gets the picture...)

Focusing on the discs being full doesn't make economic sense.  The valuable commodity is the audio recording, not space on the disc.   If they had squeezed the set down to 35 CDs instead of 55 that would save $10 of production cost.  They could lower the price from $100 to $90.    If they had filled that 55CDs with extra tracks, that would be 50% more music, the set would have cost $150 instead of $100.  But that would ruin the concept. 

I don't have much interest in the 111 set because I already have almost all of the interesting recordings already.  But as I mentioned above, they used the same concept in the Argerich Collection and having the original cover art and couplings was an important added value and a contributing reason I got the set.  If they had squeezed it down to fewer discs and dropped the original cover art concept I probably would not have gotten it, even if it was a few dollars cheaper.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!

[DavidRoss]

Not quite a super duper bargain, perhaps, but a pretty good value nonetheless.  A few Amazon.com marketplace sellers are listing Bertini's Mahler symphony cycle for under $35 --- about half of Amazon's price.

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonies-1-10-Lied-Erde/dp/B000BQ7BX2/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1284078910&sr=1-13

[Scarpia]

Not quite a super duper bargain, perhaps, but a pretty good value nonetheless.  A few Amazon.com marketplace sellers are listing Bertini's Mahler symphony cycle for under $35 --- about half of Amazon's price.

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonies-1-10-Lied-Erde/dp/B000BQ7BX2/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1284078910&sr=1-13

Got mine from MDT for 18 pounds, plus shipping.  Quite a few of the EMI box sets can be had for astonishingly low prices if you are persistent.

[The new erato]

Got mine from MDT for 18 pounds, plus shipping.  Quite a few of the EMI box sets can be had for astonishingly low prices if you are persistent.

You don't even need to be particularly persistent. EMI is flogging everything they got that can bring cash into their vaults, in endless repackagings, in every channel they can think of. It's on my list BTW, along with the box of Muti's Cherubini.

[Coopmv]

You don't even need to be particularly persistent. EMI is flogging everything they got that can bring cash into their vaults, in endless repackagings, in every channel they can think of. It's on my list BTW, along with the box of Muti's Cherubini.

Has the current owner of EMI taken EMI into bankruptcy court?

[The new erato]

Not AFAIK. They still need cash though.....

[Coopmv]

Not AFAIK. They still need cash though.....

I certainly hope EMI can stave off bankruptcy.  The private equity firm that did the LBO on EMI knows little about running the music business ...

[ammar]

I think that this :


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001DCQJUO/

at a shade under £17 delivered (for UK residents, using free shipping option) now falls into the super-bargain category. That's a pretty good price for the 4 CDs of Messiaen playing his own organ music, never mind the rest of the set 

[Scarpia]

I think that this :


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001DCQJUO/

at a shade under £17 delivered (for UK residents, using free shipping option) now falls into the super-bargain category. That's a pretty good price for the 4 CDs of Messiaen playing his own organ music, never mind the rest of the set 

Enough to make me with I could tolerate Messiaen.   

[stingo]

English Viol Music

Not sure if it's a super duper cheap deal, but it was enough of a deal to make me pull the trigger. Very good music/performance for what, to me is an attractive price.

[Orpheus]

A great bargain!!!



http://www.amazon.fr/Dvorak-quatuors-%C3%A0-cordes-Antonin/dp/B00002DEH4/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i

Just ordered! 

[Conor71]

A great bargain!!!



http://www.amazon.fr/Dvorak-quatuors-%C3%A0-cordes-Antonin/dp/B00002DEH4/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i

Just ordered! 

Woah! - Unfortunately only for domestic shipping .
Awesome bargain though .

[Orpheus]

Woah! - Unfortunately only for domestic shipping .
Awesome bargain though .

It's for international shipping too!!! 

[Conor71]

It's for international shipping too!!! 

I gave it a try and my order was accepted! - cost $35 AUS. That set retails for +$100 at my local Classical B&M.
I have had my eye on that set for a while - thanks for the heads-up Orpheus! .

[ammar]

Thanks for that, Orpheus, especially as it led me to this corker for 10 euros:


http://www.amazon.fr/Schubert-Lieder-Fischer-Dieskau-Moore/dp/B000AYQCIK/

Fingers crossed that both orders (along with the Walcha Bach from the top of the page) are honoured

[ammar]

...and no sooner had I placed my order and posted a link than the price is back up to 50 euros

Sorry guys...

[Orpheus]

Look Here soon!!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B003MRN6PY/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

This box for nothing!



Orpheus 

[Brian]

Wowzers!!
That's the same seller who was selling a Sibelius box set for £999. Must be moody.
(I didn't buy it.)

[Orpheus]

Look Here soon!!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B003MRN6PY/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

This box for nothing!



Orpheus 

Too late! 

[Orpheus]

If you are interested in this box



look here!

http://www.amazon.fr/Beethoven-Sonates-piano-Variations-Ero%C3%AFca/dp/B000ICM0YY/ref=pd_ts_m_37?ie=UTF8&s=music

Orpheus 

[Brian]

For that price I am certainly interested! Placed an order. Cost 7 Euros to ship to London, but that still totals to USD $23.

Thank you, Orpheus!!!

[scarlattiglenross]

EUR 15,95 at http://www.amazon.de/Original-Jacket-Collection-Pablo-Casals/dp/B003KHJJNE/

[Orpheus]

EUR 15,95 at http://www.amazon.de/Original-Jacket-Collection-Pablo-Casals/dp/B003KHJJNE/

I would prefer a Jacket collection with ALL Casals' Sony recording, not a selection...

[Gurn Blanston]

I would prefer a Jacket collection with ALL Casals' Sony recording, not a selection...

Maybe so, but you ain't gonna get one for 16 Euros! Super-Duper Cheap Bargains, remember?   

[karlhenning]

Bring that hammer down, Gurn! : )

[Wanderer]

40 euros at jpc.de

[ammar]

For those that missed it first time round, Abeille Musique have the Brilliant Classics Brahms Edition reduced back down to 25 euros + shipping :



http://www.abeillemusique.com/CD/Classique/BRIL93554/5028421935546/Brilliant-Classics/Johannes-Brahms/Integrale-de-l-oeuvre/cleart-29328.html

[Orpheus]

If you are interested in this box



Look here! 

http://www.amazon.fr/Mahler-Symphonies-Gustav/dp/B00000E58A/ref=pd_ts_m_21?ie=UTF8&s=music

Orpheus 

[rubio]

If you are interested in this box



Look here! 

http://www.amazon.fr/Mahler-Symphonies-Gustav/dp/B00000E58A/ref=pd_ts_m_21?ie=UTF8&s=music

Orpheus 

So ordered . Thanks!

[mc ukrneal]

Warner Classics is 40% off at Presto. They have some potential sets of interest like Tchikovsky piano (with Postnikova),  Miaskovsky set (Svetlanov) and Beethoven Complete String Quartets (Endellion). Some of the prices seem pretty good, and others might be bettered elsewhere. It lasts through the end of the year.

[Benji]

Amazon UK £23.99 / $38 (8 Discs = £3 per disc)

Because I like to do your homework for you - cheapest new Amazon.com price = $48 



Amazon UK £14.99 / $23.70 (6 discs = £2.33 per disc)

Cheapest new Amazon.com price = $34

[Harry]

40 euros at jpc.de

Thanks Tasos, in my ordering basket.

[Brahmsian]

For those that missed it first time round, Abeille Musique have the Brilliant Classics Brahms Edition reduced back down to 25 euros + shipping :



http://www.abeillemusique.com/CD/Classique/BRIL93554/5028421935546/Brilliant-Classics/Johannes-Brahms/Integrale-de-l-oeuvre/cleart-29328.html

It is an incredible value.  I've just now finally gone through all the discs at least once, and several spins on multiple discs, especially on the chamber music.     I still can't thank Brian enough for the heads up on this (about a year ago).

[Wanderer]

Thanks Tasos, in my ordering basket.

I'm sure you'll like it, Harry. 
Excellent performances; and the box usually costs double that amount.

[Papy Oli]

I guess that qualifies as a bargain compared to the cost of the previous versions :



€ 26.99 at JPC

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Ludwig-van-Beethoven-Klaviersonaten-Nr-1-32/hnum/1240643

[Scarpia]

I guess that qualifies as a bargain compared to the cost of the previous versions :



€ 26.99 at JPC

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Ludwig-van-Beethoven-Klaviersonaten-Nr-1-32/hnum/1240643

And for no extra charge they add phony surround sound encoding, which you need to route through a dolby surround sound decoder.

[Papy Oli]

And for no extra charge they add phony surround sound encoding, which you need to route through a dolby surround sound decoder.

I remember a similar comment was made about the sound when I posted about the sinopoli/mahler boxset in the same series a while back. I bought that set and personnally, I am happy with its sound... my ears and my setup obviously. YMMV 

[The new erato]

I remember a similar comment was made about the sound when I posted about the sinopoli/mahler boxset in the same series a while back. I bought that set and personnally, I am happy with its sound... my ears and my setup obviously. YMMV 

I have the Schiff Bach set and have no serious problems with the sound of that. But why Universal would do a damn silly thing like this, buggers the imagination.

[Scarpia]

I had the Guarneri Beethoven SQ cycle with the surround sound processing and thought there was something odd about the way it sounded.  I replaced it with the Brilliant Classics version of the same recording and found it preferable.  I still have the Brendel Schubert cycle on the shelf from the same series but have never listened to it.

[Coopmv]

The problem with BRO is when a certain recording is out of stock, it can be out of stock for a very long time.  But I certainly do not have any qualm about its website security.  For the ultra steep discounts it offers on its CD's and the incredibly cheap shipping costs for domestic orders, there is no reason to complain ...

[The new erato]

[Coopmv]

I am through the first 2 CD's from this set ...

[Brian]

Erm... what's the link?

[Coopmv]

Erm... what's the link?

Brian, this set may be the same as the set I have ...  No?

[Brian]

Brian, this set may be the same as the set I have ...  No?

Yes, - at least I'm pretty sure they are the same. Same label, same orchestra...
Did yours come as a cardboard box or plastic cases with a "slipcover"?

[The new erato]

Erm... what's the link?

the bargain price. 24 Euros.

[Brian]

the bargain price. 24 Euros.

Actually, I meant where did you find it. But never mind: Amazon France has it for 19.53 euros!

[Brian]

Looking around, most of the praise for Gunter Wand's Bruckner focuses on his cycle with the NDR Orchestra. But that box set features the WDR Orchestra. Is there really a quality trade-off? I'll cross-post this in the Bruckner's Abbey thread.

[Papy Oli]

Also this one :



€ 21.05 on Amazon FR - release 03/11

[mc ukrneal]

Also this one :



€ 21.05 on Amazon FR - release 03/11

Wow! About bloody time! For those in the US, that is November 2010.   

[Coopmv]

Yes, - at least I'm pretty sure they are the same. Same label, same orchestra...
Did yours come as a cardboard box or plastic cases with a "slipcover"?

Plastic cases with the slipcover that says 9 CD's.  But in reality, there are only 8 CD's since Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9 are combined.  George and I got a great price from an Amazon US MP vendor ...

[Coopmv]

Plastic cases with the slipcover that says 9 CD's.  But in reality, there are only 8 CD's since Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9 are combined.  George and I got a great price from an Amazon US MP vendor ...

Brian,

Need to make a correction.  There are indeed 9 CD's in 8 jewel cases.  Symphonies 8-9 are 2 CD's in one jewel case ...

[Scarpia]

5 CDs of Faure chamber music for less than 8 pounds (+VAT).  That qualifies as super duper.  (I'd get it, but most of the set seems to be from the Hyperion catalog and I have most of it).

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//92337.htm

[Scarpia]

Hyperion's please buy me program is looking good.  I picked up a disc of obscure Janacek orchestral music, and Symanowski (that's the best I can spell right now) piano music. 

[Scarpia]

This may count as super-bargain.  Complete Piano music of Ravel and Debussy, Erato recordings of Monique Haas, 6CDs for a bit over 12 pounds, plus VAT or shipping.

[karlhenning]

Also this one :



€ 21.05 on Amazon FR - release 03/11

That cat was great in Saturday Night Fever.

[karlhenning]

This may count as super-bargain.  Complete Piano music of Ravel and Debussy, Erato recordings of Monique Haas, 6CDs for a bit over 12 pounds, plus VAT or shipping.

Nice. IIRC, she plays on the Opus 49 Konzertmusik conducted by the composer himself.

[Maciek]

This may count as super-bargain.  Complete Piano music of Ravel and Debussy, Erato recordings of Monique Haas, 6CDs for a bit over 12 pounds, plus VAT or shipping.

Where?

Oh, OK, I notice the address you took the pic from. MDT, then?

[Brian]

Nice. IIRC, she plays on the Opus 49 Konzertmusik conducted by the composer himself.

But the box contains no orchestral works...

[karlhenning]

But the box contains no orchestral works...

Ah, I was too elliptical.  There is a box of Hindemith conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker in his own works, including the Opus 49 Konzertmusik for piano, brass & harps. I believe Haas plays the concertante piano on that recording.

[Scarpia]

Where?

Oh, OK, I notice the address you took the pic from. MDT, then?

Correct!

Ah, I was too elliptical.  There is a box of Hindemith conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker in his own works, including the Opus 49 Konzertmusik for piano, brass & harps. I believe Haas plays the concertante piano on that recording.

Also correct.  Before recording for Erato she was a DG artist.



Not to be confused with Werner Haas, who also recorded a complete Ravel + Debussy solo piano cycle for Philips.

[Maciek]

Ah, I was too elliptical.  There is a box of Hindemith conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker in his own works, including the Opus 49 Konzertmusik for piano, brass & harps. I believe Haas plays the concertante piano on that recording.

She has recorded the Ravel PCs though, for DG, and at least the G Major is a magnificent recording (I don't own the other one).

[The new erato]

11 euros on amazon.fr.

Lots of amazing bargains in this series; Bruckner/Wand, Beethoven/Budapest, Brahms/Rubinstein, van Cliburn concertoes, Mahler/Levine......

[Orpheus]

For Vivaldi's fans



Look here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/chefs-doeuvre-Vivaldi-Various-Artists/dp/B000NVL49C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289818420&sr=1-1

Orpheus 

[Grazioso]

11 euros on amazon.fr.

Lots of amazing bargains in this series; Bruckner/Wand, Beethoven/Budapest, Brahms/Rubinstein, van Cliburn concertoes, Mahler/Levine......

Any link to a page listing the complete series? Thanks.

[George]

Any link to a page listing the complete series? Thanks.

Seconded.

I can't even find the Reiner:

http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?__mk_fr_FR=%C5M%C5Z%D5%D1&url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=RCA+Reiner+Strauss+Quixote

[Brian]

Seconded.

I can't even find the Reiner:

http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?__mk_fr_FR=%C5M%C5Z%D5%D1&url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=RCA+Reiner+Strauss+Quixote

Too many search terms. Just type in Reiner Strauss and it comes right up. Amazon is terrible at tagging things so I always search for the minimum terminology...

[George]

Thanks, Brian! 

Any link to a page listing the complete series? Thanks.

This yields quite a few: http://www.amazon.fr/Richard-Strauss-Oeuvres-orchestrales-Coffret/sim/B0042GNDT8/2/ref=pd_sxp_filt_m?ie=UTF8&pf=music

[Grazioso]

Thanks, Brian! 

This yields quite a few: http://www.amazon.fr/Richard-Strauss-Oeuvres-orchestrales-Coffret/sim/B0042GNDT8/2/ref=pd_sxp_filt_m?ie=UTF8&pf=music

Thank you, Sir! FWIW, there's also a Bylsma/Tafelmusik Boccherini set in the series.

[Orpheus]

For Chopin's fans...




...look here!
http://www.amazon.de/gp/offer-listing/B003DQIQ7C/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1290462488&sr=1-5&condition=new

Orpheus 

[Brian]

WHOA. That will be a beast to pack back to the States since my suitcases were full coming over. But I've been eyeing the expensive individual releases in that series for a long time and just can't miss this. Thanks, Orpheus 

[Orpheus]

Good mornig Wagnerians...



look here!

http://www.amazon.de/gp/offer-listing/B00151HZ3S/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1290500287&sr=1-29&condition=new


Orpheus 

[mc ukrneal]

I just pulled the trigger on this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00001X591/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1290507306&sr=1-1&condition=new or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Albinoni-Concertos-Op-9-Tomaso-Giovanni/dp/B00001X591/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1290507245&sr=8-1. Seems pretty good to me...

[Sergeant Rock]

Good mornig Wagnerians...


Orpheus 

Looks like it's finally time to acquire my 12th Ring 

Sarge

[Orpheus]

Looks like it's finally time to acquire my 12th Ring 

Sarge

Sorry, but there is no more super offer... it was around 8 euros...

[Sergeant Rock]

Sorry, but there is no more super offer... it was around 8 euros...

I received a confirmation email from Amazon listing the price as €8.59 We'll see if the marketplace seller (Spartaner) honors the price or not. His offer is no longer listed. Maybe I grabbed the last one? Hope springs eternal 

Sarge

[karlhenning]

Looks like it's finally time to acquire my 12th Ring 

Sarge, many thanks for the smile!

[canninator]

WHOA. That will be a beast to pack back to the States since my suitcases were full coming over. But I've been eyeing the expensive individual releases in that series for a long time and just can't miss this. Thanks, Orpheus 

Yes, at that price for the set I purchased without thinking twice.

[Coopmv]

WHOA. That will be a beast to pack back to the States since my suitcases were full coming over. But I've been eyeing the expensive individual releases in that series for a long time and just can't miss this. Thanks, Orpheus 

Brian,   No problems.  You need to automate your one-click checkout on Amazon ...   

[The new erato]

Yes, at that price for the set I purchased without thinking twice.

Is thinking twice an option? I didn't know that..........

[Brian]

Is thinking twice an option? I didn't know that..........

I thought twice.  I've decided to buy the box later, as a gift to myself for completing grad school applications.

[Orpheus]

A steal?



http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000J0ZPH4/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Orpheus 

[Scarpia]

Maybe this has been listed before, but after listen to some Faure today I couldn't resist it any longer.



Faure, complete chamber music, Brilliant classics, licensed recordings from labels such as Hyperion and Claves.  Fine artists, and excluding VAT less than £10 for 5 discs at www.mdt.co.uk.

[Opus106]

Maybe this has been listed before, but after listen to some Faure today I couldn't resist it any longer.



Faure, complete chamber music, Brilliant classics, licensed recordings from labels such as Hyperion and Claves.  Fine artists, and excluding VAT less than £10 for 5 discs at www.mdt.co.uk.

The very French equivalent from EMI, which is recommended in these parts, is available for more or less the same price at Presto (and perhaps at MDT as well -- their shipping policy may cancel the price advantage out).

[Scarpia]

The very French equivalent from EMI, which is recommended in these parts, is available for more or less the same price at Presto (and perhaps at MDT as well -- their shipping policy may cancel the price advantage out).

I have half of that EMI set (from the days when they were selling it as volume I and volume II).  It has that French authority thing going for it, but it also has EMI France engineering working against it, at times.  The Brilliant set is taken from recent recordings made by labels with stirling reputations for audio engineering (as well as good artists).  Probably we all need both sets.   

[Conor71]

Maybe this has been listed before, but after listen to some Faure today I couldn't resist it any longer.



Faure, complete chamber music, Brilliant classics, licensed recordings from labels such as Hyperion and Claves.  Fine artists, and excluding VAT less than £10 for 5 discs at www.mdt.co.uk.

I have that set and really enjoy it! - happy listening .

[Grazioso]

A steal?



http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000J0ZPH4/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Orpheus 

While this set contains good things, be aware that many of the recordings are from the 60's and leave something to be desired in the sound department. The Mozart set from that series is probably the better buy, imo.

[prémont]

A steal?



http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000J0ZPH4/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Yes 20 £ for all this is a steal.

Among others the Hungarian Quartet`s Quartet cycle, Eric Heidsieck`s Sonata cycle and Cluytens´ Symphony cycle and much more. SQ generally more than acceptable. I admit that neither of these recordings would be my first choice, but I rate them rather highly, among top ten.

[listener]

more complete description at the French site...
http://www.amazon.fr/Beethoven-Chefs-doeuvre-coffret-50-CD/dp/B000J0ZPH4/ref=sr_1_28?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1290980057&sr=1-28
I'm tempted too.

[not edward]

Probably we all need both sets.   

QFT.

It's Fauré's chamber music, after all (I confess to remaining baffled as to why this superlative music isn't better known).

[Antoine Marchand]

Price on MDT:$95.46/ $81.24 ex.VAT

[Opus106]

Works out to nearly $100 if I include shipping. On the other hand, Presto is currently selling it at about couple of Dollars less, and if you add the $3 standard shipping, it comes to the ex. VAT price at MDT. Anyway, I don't think either really qualify as an SDCB, IMO. Bargains, yes... but not Super-duper cheap.

[Brian]

Yeah, the original meaning of the thread was CDs for less than, say, $1, but I think it almost immediately came to include box sets totaling about $1/disc... but still, let's not complain. Otherwise, we could hire Henk to dictate the thread rules. 

[Opus106]

but still, let's not complain. Otherwise, we could hire Henk to dictate the thread rules. 

But seeing a new post in this thread raises my hopes up, creates that fleeting moment of happiness in a life within this cruel, cruel world.  

[Mirror Image]

OK, finally taken the plunge on this box set that I've been considering for a little while.

£100 inc shipping from US to UK.

£1.60 per disc probably qualifies it for super-duper cheap

That's a fine series. I own almost all of them. My favorite of the series is still Reiner's Bartok recording, which really set a new standard for excellence not only in performance, but in audio quality as well.

[Antoine Marchand]

... Anyway, I don't think either really qualify as an SDCB, IMO. Bargains, yes... but not Super-duper cheap.

Excuse me, dear Navneeth, but this kind of discussion is so boooooooooring... 

[Opus106]

Who's discussing? I was simply stating a fact, and that's that. End of discussion.

[Que]

Price on MDT:$95.46/ $81.24 ex.VAT

And £61.25/ €72.61 (incl. VAT) Which is indeed pretty cheap. I got it the introductory price on reissue - around €69, if I remember well.
This is the very first time I've seen it come back down that low, so that was a good decision.

Q

[Orpheus]

Another steal?



http://www.amazon.fr/Beethoven-Sonates-piano-Artur-Schnabel/dp/B000002S29/ref=sr_1_837?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1291390989&sr=1-837

[canninator]

Another steal?



http://www.amazon.fr/Beethoven-Sonates-piano-Artur-Schnabel/dp/B000002S29/ref=sr_1_837?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1291390989&sr=1-837

Sound is rubbish, better off with the Dante, Pearl, or Naxos transfers and paying a little extra.

[George]

Sound is rubbish, better off with the Dante, Pearl, or Naxos transfers and paying a little extra.

Seconded, especially for the Naxos, which (of the three options) is luckily also the cheapest, best sounding and easiest way to get these performances.

[Coopmv]

Seconded, especially for the Naxos, which (of the three options) is luckily also the cheapest, best sounding and easiest way to get these performances.

I am all set with my Schnabel's Beethoven Piano Sonatas on Naxos Historical.  Thanks for your recommendation, George.   

[George]

I am all set with my Schnabel's Beethoven Piano Sonatas on Naxos Historical.  Thanks for your recommendation, George.   

My pleasure, glad you enjoy them.

[Coopmv]

My pleasure, glad you enjoy them.

I am now enjoying those Chopin CD's by Kemal Gekic you have also recommended, though they are nowhere close to being Super-Duper Cheap Bargains ...   

[George]

I am now enjoying those Chopin CD's by Kemal Gekic you have also recommended, though they are nowhere close to being Super-Duper Cheap Bargains ...   

Still, they are worth every penny. 

[Coopmv]

Sometimes, you can find a Super-Duper Cheap Bargain with a little foresight.  I bought this Toscanini Wagner 2 years ago for $12.99 IIRC.  It is now OOP and the only one available on Amazon US has an asking price of almost $100 ...   

[Coopmv]

Still, they are worth every penny. 

Absolutely.  Kemal Gekic is one piano virtuoso I have never heard of until a few months ago ...

[The new erato]

Sometimes, you can find a Super-Duper Cheap Bargain with a little foresight.  I bought this Toscanini Wagner 2 years ago for $12.99 IIRC.  It is now OOP and the only one available on Amazon US has an asking price of almost $100 ...   

Yes, if one buys everything this is bound to happen sooner or later......

[Harry]

I think this could count as a super duper

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Joseph-Haydn-Symphonien-Nr-1-104/hnum/3866386

[Orpheus]

I think this could count as a super duper

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Joseph-Haydn-Symphonien-Nr-1-104/hnum/3866386

Harry, I saw it at euros 9,99 some months ago...

[Harry]

Harry, I saw it at euros 9,99 some months ago...

The complete Haydn Symphonies for 9,99, darn I wish you would have told me, I would have bought it right away.

[Orpheus]

Harry, if you are interested in Italian opera, try this...



http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000ICM70Q/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1291569881&sr=1-1&condition=new

Orpheus

[Brian]

You're a magician, Orpheus. How do you find all of these??
EDIT: You don't have to say, if you want to keep amazing all of us 

[Harry]

Harry, if you are interested in Italian opera, try this...



http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000ICM70Q/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1291569881&sr=1-1&condition=new

Orpheus

Alas, my friend, opera is not my thing, but there are countless others on GMG that are, so this link will come in handy, and if you ever see this box again for 9, 95 let me know.

[Coopmv]

Harry, if you are interested in Italian opera, try this...



http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000ICM70Q/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1291569881&sr=1-1&condition=new

Orpheus

When it comes to opera, Wagner is essentially the only game in town for me ...

[Scarpia]

Harry, I saw it at euros 9,99 some months ago...

That's the one with applause after each piece.  For 10 Euros I'd pass it up.

[scarlattiglenross]

Haydn - The Complete String Quartets (Aeolian Quartet) for £36.37 at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Complete-String-Quartets-J/dp/B001QBXFTA/

Listening to this wonderfully inventive and forward-looking music really shows how wrong we are to categorise Hayn as a 'safe' composer. Joseph Haydn may not be neglected today, but he is certainly misunderstood.

The Aeolian's Haydn Quartet cycle was recorded in analogue sound between 1973 and 1976. Back then vinyl was still the pre-eminent playback format, and the Compact Cassette (remember that?) was merely a low-fi option for sound on the move, rather like MP3 today. The sound from the CD transfers of the Haydn is truly astonishing; there is an immediacy and body to the string sound that is rarely heard in more recent recordings, even when SACD and other miraculous technology is invoked.

[Brian]

The Naxos Mahler cycle (1-10), with the Polish Radio Orchestra and Warsaw Philharmonic conducted by Antoni Wit, Michael Halasz, and Robert Olson, is available for 320kbps MP3 download from ArkivMusic for $19.99. It's USA only, so I can't give you a link, but the advert is on their homepage.

[evanft]

Hey everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I was browsing the last couple pages of this thread and was shocked to see no mention of the recent EMI box set blowout that ImportCDs had on their web site right before Thanksgiving. There were a few people over at the Steve Hoffman forum who heard about it in the classical thread, and I know a some of them post here.

Anywho, they had HUGE discounts on box sets from EMI. I'm talking like 90%+ off. Here's what I got:

$11.16   Alban Berg Quartet-Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets
$15.26   Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies by Jochum
$14.68   Maria Callas, The Complete Studio Recordings 1949-1969
$15.13   Aldo Ciccolini-Complete Emi Recordings 1950-1991
$13.93   Aldo Ciccolini-Satie: Piano Works (I found this on the site before the complete set, I'm gonna sell it)
$13.28   Composers In Person
$11.33   Elgar: The Collector's Edition
$10.96   Karajan-The Complete Emi Recordings 1946-1984, Vol. 1: Orchestral
$10.96   Karajan-The Complete Emi Recordings 1946-1984, Vol. 2: Opera & Vocal
$8.33   David Oistrakh: The Complete Recordings
$15.28   Mstislav Rostropovich: Complete Emi Recordings
$10.53   Paul Tortelier -The Great Emi Recordings
$11.13   Vaughan Williams: The Collector's Edition

Yeah, it was insane. The sale lasted about 2 days. A lot of the sets I ordered were out of stock, but they have since honored the prices and shipped everything. I just got the Callas set today.

Just a heads up to everyone to keep an eye out on their web site.

[mc ukrneal]

Hey everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I was browsing the last couple pages of this thread and was shocked to see no mention of the recent EMI box set blowout that ImportCDs had on their web site right before Thanksgiving. There were a few people over at the Steve Hoffman forum who heard about it in the classical thread, and I know a some of them post here.

Anywho, they had HUGE discounts on box sets from EMI. I'm talking like 90%+ off. Here's what I got:

$11.16   Alban Berg Quartet-Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets
$15.26   Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies by Jochum
$14.68   Maria Callas, The Complete Studio Recordings 1949-1969
$15.13   Aldo Ciccolini-Complete Emi Recordings 1950-1991
$13.93   Aldo Ciccolini-Satie: Piano Works (I found this on the site before the complete set, I'm gonna sell it)
$13.28   Composers In Person
$11.33   Elgar: The Collector's Edition
$10.96   Karajan-The Complete Emi Recordings 1946-1984, Vol. 1: Orchestral
$10.96   Karajan-The Complete Emi Recordings 1946-1984, Vol. 2: Opera & Vocal
$8.33   David Oistrakh: The Complete Recordings
$15.28   Mstislav Rostropovich: Complete Emi Recordings
$10.53   Paul Tortelier -The Great Emi Recordings
$11.13   Vaughan Williams: The Collector's Edition

Yeah, it was insane. The sale lasted about 2 days. A lot of the sets I ordered were out of stock, but they have since honored the prices and shipped everything. I just got the Callas set today.

Just a heads up to everyone to keep an eye out on their web site.

Welcome! Those are some unreal prices!

[Harry]

Welcome! Those are some unreal prices!

Yeah especially the orchestral Karajan, would be nice if there would have been a link, if its still available:)

[evanft]

Yeah especially the orchestral Karajan, would be nice if there would have been a link, if its still available:)

The sale lasted about 2 days and has been over for about 2 weeks. The ImportCDs website is just www.importCDs.com

[Coopmv]

The sale lasted about 2 days and has been over for about 2 weeks. The ImportCDs website is just www.importCDs.com

I paid on average $1.50 per CD for the Vaughan Williams: The Collector's Edition set at Amazon US.  The ImportCD price would have been about $0.40 per CD.  I have not bought from ImportCD in months, its packaging is the worse among the Amazon MP vendors.  I have not received any orders from them without any busted CD jewel cases in a very long time ...   

[Scarpia]

The sale lasted about 2 days and has been over for about 2 weeks. The ImportCDs website is just www.importCDs.com

It would have been helpful if you had posted that before the sale ended.   

[Coopmv]

It would have been helpful if you had posted that before the sale ended.   

The insane prices at which ImportCD was selling these CD sets might have something to do with the precarious financial condition of EMI, which is now doing all it can to maximize its cash flows.  Back in last spring, I read an article that the private equity group that did the LBO on EMI might have to let EMI go into bankruptcy since it was in danger of violating the debt covenant with Citigroup.  Perhaps ImportCD itself is in trouble as well ...

[Scarpia]

The insane prices at which ImportCD was selling these CD sets might have something to do with the precarious financial condition of EMI, which is now doing all it can to maximize its cash flows.  Back in last spring, I read an article that the private equity group that did the LBO on EMI might have to let EMI go into bankruptcy since it was in danger of violating the debt covenant with Citigroup.  Perhaps ImportCD itself is in trouble as well ...

I suspect ImportCD needed to raise cash and get rid of some idle inventory.  EMI may or may not be near bankruptcy, but classical music is a small part of their business and their financial position presumably depends on their pop music business more than anything else.

It would be a shame if ImportCD disappeared.  Their prices are low, and tend to push everyone else's prices down, so you benefit from them even if you don't buy from them.  I've gotten a fair amount of stuff from ImportCD, but they ship from California so I normally prefer similar vendors that ship from the east coast.  The one time I had a problem with one of the products I got from them they were very efficient in issuing a refund.

[Coopmv]

I suspect ImportCD needed to raise cash and get rid of some idle inventory.  EMI may or may not be near bankruptcy, but classical music is a small part of their business and their financial position presumably depends on their pop music business more than anything else.

It would be a shame if ImportCD disappeared.  Their prices are low, and tend to push everyone else's prices down, so you benefit from them even if you don't buy from them.  I've gotten a fair amount of stuff from ImportCD, but they ship from California so I normally prefer similar vendors that ship from the east coast.  The one time I had a problem with one of the products I got from them they were very efficient in issuing a refund.

I agree with you that ImportCD has put lots of pricing pressure on other Amazon MP vendors.  As such, I do benefit from its pricing even though I no longer buy from it that often ...

[71 dB]

$11.33   Elgar: The Collector's Edition

What the hell? I have been waiting for this set to get cheap for ages but it is not happening. I already own about half of the box and that's why I am unwilling to pay much for it. $43.43 on Amazon.com and £33.35 on Amazon.co.uk.

[Harry]

What the hell? I have been waiting for this set to get cheap for ages but it is not happening. I already own about half of the box and that's why I am unwilling to pay much for it. $43.43 on Amazon.com and £33.35 on Amazon.co.uk.

Yes, it would have been handy if the poster that knew about it, would have alerted us right away, it only lasted 2 days, but comes wandering in and proclaims what fine deals he had, but o, yeah, sorry guys the sale is over:(

[canninator]

For Chopin's fans...




...look here!
http://www.amazon.de/gp/offer-listing/B003DQIQ7C/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1290462488&sr=1-5&condition=new

Orpheus 

Too good to be true. I had been waiting on this for a while and the marketplace vendor just e-mailed me to say they cannot provide this and are refunding me. 

[George]

http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/50sa20101214.html?cmpid=SA_20101214

Half off any single item at Borders, for the next three days. If you don't already have one, the required Borders Rewards  membership is free and can be obtained in any store within a few minutes.

[evanft]

Yes, it would have been handy if the poster that knew about it, would have alerted us right away, it only lasted 2 days, but comes wandering in and proclaims what fine deals he had, but o, yeah, sorry guys the sale is over:(

I only found out about the sale at the tail end. By the time I thought to come post about it, it was already over.

[nigeld]

Following up  a recommendation from another thread to buy a double cd from the Florestan Trio in Brahms, I went to the Hyperion website and saw it there for £23.  Ouch!

I then visited Amazon and found this box on for £33.  It contains the music I was looking for plus another 10discs.  Top notch ensembles as far as I can see.

Bargain time!

[MN Dave]

Following up  a recommendation from another thread to buy a double cd from the Florestan Trio in Brahms, I went to the Hyperion website and saw it there for £23.  Ouch!

I then visited Amazon and found this box on for £33.  It contains the music I was looking for plus another 10discs.  Top notch ensembles as far as I can see.

Bargain time!

Well done. Thanks.

[mc ukrneal]

Following up  a recommendation from another thread to buy a double cd from the Florestan Trio in Brahms, I went to the Hyperion website and saw it there for £23.  Ouch!

I then visited Amazon and found this box on for £33.  It contains the music I was looking for plus another 10discs.  Top notch ensembles as far as I can see.

Bargain time!

I had picked it up for $14 at Berkshire (no longer available), but the box is a good way to get it as it has a number of not just good performances, but great performances.

[Harry]

Following up  a recommendation from another thread to buy a double cd from the Florestan Trio in Brahms, I went to the Hyperion website and saw it there for £23.  Ouch!

I then visited Amazon and found this box on for £33.  It contains the music I was looking for plus another 10discs.  Top notch ensembles as far as I can see.

Bargain time!

You mean 80 pounds, for thats the price, on Hyperions website. Would love it for 23 pounds, so if you have a link:)
Better still could someone give me a link to the lowest price of this set

[Harry]

I had picked it up for $14 at Berkshire (no longer available), but the box is a good way to get it as it has a number of not just good performances, but great performances.

Geez 14 dollars, Neal! Could you not have told me

[nigeld]

You mean 80 pounds, for thats the price, on Hyperions website. Would love it for 23 pounds, so if you have a link:)
Better still could someone give me a link to the lowest price of this set

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Hamelin-Lane-Power-Isserlis/dp/B001F4YGU0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292601956&sr=8-1

there you go Harry

[mc ukrneal]

Geez 14 dollars, Neal! Could you not have told me

This was much earlier this year and I had no idea it would be so good. But I am talking about the 2CD set, not the box (just to be clear), which I don't have. The box was much talked about earlier this year at that French site sale - at least I seem to remember people posting about a very low price for it.

[Antoine Marchand]

AMAZON.DE EUR 11.97

[Antoine Marchand]

6 CDs

AMAZON.DE EUR 19.14

[Orpheus]

Scarlatti's fans, it's your lucky day...



look here...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0009MWAVQ/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1292686348&sr=1-1&condition=new

Orpheus 

[Sergeant Rock]

Hey, Orpheus. I want to thank you for the tip about the 8 Euro Haitink Ring. The seller came through--took him three weeks, but he delivered as advertised. 

Sarge

[Orpheus]

Hey, Orpheus. I want to thank you for the tip about the 8 Euro Haitink Ring. The seller came through--took him three weeks, but he delivered as advertised. 

Sarge

My turn next time 

I bought Haitink Ring too! I hope you enjoy the recording. It's my sencond Ring after Solti...

 

[The new erato]

Scarlatti's fans, it's your lucky day...



look here...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0009MWAVQ/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1292686348&sr=1-1&condition=new

Orpheus 

Seems that though the seller is in the UK, he will not ship to Norway. Stupid ass.

[Orpheus]

Seems that though the seller is in the UK, he will not ship to Norway. Stupid ass.

I read "In stock. Dispatched from United Kingdom.
International & domestic delivery rates "

[Sergeant Rock]

It's my second Ring after Solti...

It's my twelfth    ...but hey, one can't have too many Rings. 

Sarge

[The new erato]

I read "In stock. Dispatched from United Kingdom.
International & domestic delivery rates "

Until you put it in the basket and the delivery adress is Norway, and the order is refused. These stupid bastards will ship to Roumania (as an EU country) but not to Norway. I can practically see their stupid little island across the North Sea from my window in Bergen!

[Lethevich]

Hey, you get to keep all those delicious fishing stocks in exchange

[Orpheus]

Until you put it in the basket and the delivery adress is Norway, and the order is refused. These stupid bastards will ship to Roumania (as an EU country) but not to Norway. I can practically see their stupid little island across the North Sea from my window in Bergen!

I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused to you 

[Opus106]

Until you put it in the basket and the delivery adress is Norway, and the order is refused. These stupid bastards will ship to Roumania (as an EU country) but not to Norway. I can practically see their stupid little island across the North Sea from my window in Bergen!

Then catch a ferry and go buy it in person!

[The new erato]

I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused to you 

Not your problem. Happens a lot of the times with amazon resellers that seem to think that Norway is far away in the wilderness since we're not part of the f....g EU.

[rubio]

This set for $15.90 over at amazon! Already ordered .

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-J-S-Complete-Organ-Works/dp/B001R3YJS8/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3LUCY0Y6LF6WW&colid=1L61W0MN46OUE

[Que]

This set for $15.90 over at amazon! Already ordered .

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-J-S-Complete-Organ-Works/dp/B001R3YJS8/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3LUCY0Y6LF6WW&colid=1L61W0MN46OUE

Wow... That's a great deal for what I consider a superb Bach organ set!

Q

[The new erato]

Bought it too. Thanks rubio!

[Scarpia]

Bought it too. Thanks rubio!

I thought I had a great deal when I got it for $50 earlier this year.   

[Orpheus]

This set for $15.90 over at amazon! Already ordered .

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-J-S-Complete-Organ-Works/dp/B001R3YJS8/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3LUCY0Y6LF6WW&colid=1L61W0MN46OUE

Which is the total amount that I have to pay for charge import duties, taxes and fees to EU?

[Opus106]

This set for $15.90 over at amazon! Already ordered .

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-J-S-Complete-Organ-Works/dp/B001R3YJS8/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3LUCY0Y6LF6WW&colid=1L61W0MN46OUE

Thank you so much, Rubio. I have never had things shipped directly to me from Amazon due to their shipping charges, but even with that included this comes to a grand total of $24.88, which is half of what UK-based discounts offer.

[Papy Oli]

in case of interest for wagnerites :

Der Ring Des Nibelungen - Hans Knappertsbusch & The Bayreuth Festival Orchestra & Chorus
MP3 Download for £ 6.99

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Der-Ring-Des-Nibelungen/dp/B004CGQWL4/ref=sr_1_276?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1292697372&sr=1-276

[Maciek]

These stupid bastards will ship to Roumania (as an EU country) but not to Norway.

I very much doubt they will. Amazon payments does not cover any of the "new" EU countries.

See this (taken from here):

Countries Covered

So far, Marketplace items can only be purchased by buyers in these countries:
UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Europe: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
US: including US protectorates
Rest of World: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa

What makes it especially ridiculous, is that people living in countries such as Poland (or Lithuania, or Colombia, or China) can sell on amazon marketplace, they just can't buy anything.

See this (taken from here):

Countries Accepted for Seller Registration


Please find below the list of the countries currently supported to sell on Amazon.co.uk. Please note that in order to be able to sell on Amazon.co.uk, you need to be resident in one of the following countries, have a local phone number and have an internationally chargeable credit card.
Argentina   Costa Rica   Hong Kong   Liechtenstein   Slovakia
Australia   Cyprus   Hungary   Lithuania   Slovenia
Austria   Czech Republic   Iceland   Luxembourg   Spain
Belgium   Denmark   India   Mexico   Sweden
Brazil   Estonia   Ireland   Netherlands   Switzerland
Bulgaria   Finland   Israel   New Zealand   Taiwan
Canada   France   Italy   Norway   Turkey
Chile   Germany   Japan   Poland   United Kingdom
China   Greece   Latvia   Portugal   United States
Colombia

(Sorry for the long post, but this is a pet peeve.)

[Antoine Marchand]

Until you put it in the basket and the delivery adress is Norway, and the order is refused. These stupid bastards will ship to Roumania (as an EU country) but not to Norway. I can practically see their stupid little island across the North Sea from my window in Bergen!

Probably that's the problem! I mean some medieval bad memories. 

[Antoine Marchand]

This set looks nice:



£67.99

The BBC TV Shakespeare Collection [37 DVD]

This thirty-seven disc box set includes the following BBC Shakespeare Adaptations from the BBC series from 1978 to 1985:

1. Romeo And Juliet - Directed by Alvin Rakoff (1978)
2. Richard II - Directed by Jane Howell (1983)
3. As You Like It - Directed by Basil Coleman (1978)
4. Julius Caesar - Directed by Herbert Wise (1979)
5. Measure For Measure - Directed by Desmond Davis (1979)
6. Henry VIII - Directed Kevin Billington (1979)
7. Henry IV: Parts I & II - Directed by David Giles (1979)
8. Henry V: Parts I & II - Directed by David Giles (1979)
9. Twelfth Night - Directed by John Gorrie (1980)
10. The Tempest - Directed by John Gorrie (1980)
11. The Taming Of The Shrew - Directed by Jonathan Miller (1980)
12. The Merchant Of Venice - Directed by Jack Gold (1980)
13. All's Well That Ends Well - Directed by Elijah Moshinsky (1981)
14. The Winter's Tale - Directed by Jane Howell (1981)
15. Timon Of Athens - Directed by Jonathan Miller (1981)
16. Antony And Cleopatra - Directed by Jonathan Miller (1981)
17. Othello - Directed by Jonathan Miller (1981)
18. Troilus And Cressada - Directed by Jonathan Miller (1981)
19. The Merry Wives of Windsor - Directed by David Hugh Jones (1982)
20. Henry VI: Parts I, II & III - Directed by Jane Howell (1983)
21. The Tragedy Of Richard III - Directed by Jane Howell (1983)
22. Cymbeline - Directed by Elijah Moshinsky (1982)
23. The Comedy Of Errors - Directed by James Cellan Jones (1983)
24. Two Gentlemen Of Verona - Directed by Don Taylor (1983)
25. Coriolanus - Directed by Elijah Moshinsky (1984)
26. The Life And Death Of King John - Directed by David Giles (1984)
27. Pericles: Prince Of Tyre - Directed by David Hugh Jones (1984)
28. Much Ado About Nothing - Directed by Stuart Burge (1984)
29. Love's Labour's Lost - Directed by Elijah Moshinsky (1985)
30. Titus Andronicus - Directed by Jane Howell (1985)
31. Hamlet - Directed by Rodney Bennett (1980)
32. King Lear - Directed by Jonathan Miller (1982)
33. Macbeth - Directed by Jack Gold (1983)
34. A Midsummer Night's Dream - Directed by Elijah Moshinsky (1981)

[Antoine Marchand]

Scarlatti's fans, it's your lucky day...



look here...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0009MWAVQ/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1292686348&sr=1-1&condition=new

Orpheus 

Orpheus, what was the price for that set on the AMP?

[Lethevich]

This set looks nice:



£67.99

The BBC TV Shakespeare Collection [37 DVD]

This thirty-seven disc box set includes the following BBC Shakespeare Adaptations from the BBC series from 1978 to 1985:

I picked this up for £50 on Amazon a few months ago, and at this price it remains a bargain. Some of the productions are a little wooly, but they have great integrity.

[Orpheus]

Orpheus, what was the price for that set on the AMP?

Too late Antoine...it was 24 pounds...

[Antoine Marchand]

Too late Antoine...it was 24 pounds...

... ooops. Anyway, I can't buy on the AMP from Chile. Too bad! 

P.S.: Well, I own that box set, so it is not a big disappointment. 

[The new erato]

Probably that's the problem! I mean some medieval bad memories. 

I'll go fetch some chaps and ravage them again.

[Antoine Marchand]

I'll go fetch some chaps and ravage them again.

[Antoine Marchand]

I can't purchase this item for myself on AMP.de  , so I suppose this advice will be useful to another GMGer:

http://www.amazon.de/Das-Orgelwerk-Lionel-Rogg/dp/B000027OAA/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1292763179&sr=8-17

Lionel Rogg
Organ Works (12 CDs)

EUR 29.99

[Harry]

I can't purchase this item for myself on AMP.de  , so I suppose this advice will be useful to another GMGer:

http://www.amazon.de/Das-Orgelwerk-Lionel-Rogg/dp/B000027OAA/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1292763179&sr=8-17

Lionel Rogg
Organ Works (12 CDs)

EUR 29.99

Not so good, the info says that CD 3 is missing from this box

[Antoine Marchand]

Not so good, the info says that CD 3 is missing from this box

You're right, Harry. It seemed very very good... But I didn't read the description of the seller. I am not an experienced AMP buyer...

[Orpheus]

Interested to this box?



click here!

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B001QBXFTA/sr=8-1/qid=1292837548/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1292837548&sr=8-1&seller=

Orpheus 

[Brian]

Interested to this box?



click here!

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B001QBXFTA/sr=8-1/qid=1292837548/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1292837548&sr=8-1&seller=

Orpheus 

Wow, that link was up for only ten minutes and the price is already 70 euros.

[The new erato]

What was the price?

Not that I'm interested, I already have the Kodaly and Buchberger complete cycles, all the Mosaiques discs as well as a few Festetics sets......

BTW; the Koopman organ set on amazon.com already is back to $67.

[Brian]

Amazon UK appears to be having a blowout sale! The massive, legendary (round these parts) Works of Igor Stravinsky 22CD box is tempting me at 18 quid, the Alban Berg Quartet Beethoven cycle is similarly teasing at 17, and Emil Gilels' EMI Icon Box (9 CDs) is about the same price, containing the Beethoven concerti with Szell/Cleveland, the Tchaikovsky concerti, and a couple other bits and bobs.

[Orpheus]

Wow, that link was up for only ten minutes and the price is already 70 euros.

Brian, look now!

[The new erato]

Amazon UK appears to be having a blowout sale! The massive, legendary (round these parts) Works of Igor Stravinsky 22CD box is tempting me at 18 quid, the Alban Berg Quartet Beethoven cycle is similarly teasing at 17, and Emil Gilels' EMI Icon Box (9 CDs) is about the same price, containing the Beethoven concerti with Szell/Cleveland, the Tchaikovsky concerti, and a couple other bits and bobs.

Those prices have been regularly available om eg mdt.co.uk and others for a very long time.

[Orpheus]

If you are interested to this box...



...it's your lucky day!

look here!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00008RWR9/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1292848222&sr=1-196&condition=new

Orpheus 

[mc ukrneal]

Barnes and Noble have a 25% off one item for today only (Dec 20). The discount code is on the home page. If you are a member, shipping is free. Otherwise, shipping is free with over $25 in purchases.

[Grazioso]

If you are interested to this box...



...it's your lucky day!

look here!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00008RWR9/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1292848222&sr=1-196&condition=new

Orpheus 

FYI, I believe those same recordings are included in this bigger box set:

[Coopmv]

Wow, that link was up for only ten minutes and the price is already 70 euros.

Yeah, Where is the beef?

[Coopmv]

Thank you so much, Rubio. I have never had things shipped directly to me from Amazon due to their shipping charges, but even with that included this comes to a grand total of $24.88, which is half of what UK-based discounts offer.

Ironically, I bought this box set from the UK, either MDT or Presto at an excellent price ...

[The new erato]

30 Euros:



http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Joseph-Haydn-Symphonien-Nr-1-104/hnum/3866386

[Opus106]

Ironically, I bought this box set from the UK, either MDT or Presto at an excellent price ...

Our definitions of "excellent price" are obviously not the same. 0:)

[Coopmv]

Our definitions of "excellent price" are obviously not the same. 0:)

Mostly likely not since you probably have to pay a bit more on shipping ...

[Coopmv]

30 Euros:



http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Joseph-Haydn-Symphonien-Nr-1-104/hnum/3866386

Being a late comer to the big-box game, Sony is finally coming on strong ...   

[Papy Oli]

Considering other offered prices for that boxset, that does look like a steal...



http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B002P3J3BW/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A1X6FK5RDHNB96

[Coopmv]

Considering other offered prices for that boxset, that does look like a steal...



http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B002P3J3BW/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A1X6FK5RDHNB96

It may not be a good deal for someone who has to pay a lot to get the box shipped ...

[Opus106]

BTW; the Koopman organ set on amazon.com already is back to $67.

And now down to $29.31. But they're still temporarily out of stock.

[Coopmv]

And now down to $29.31. But they're still temporarily out of stock.

and could remain OOS for a while.  I am still on CD2 but will catch up eventually.

[The new erato]

Every time I click on this thread my credit card cringes in anticipation of the pain.

[Harry]

Every time I click on this thread my credit card cringes in anticipation of the pain.

I have suffered this pain for over 35 years, so whats new?

[Scarpia]

My favorite cycle of Beethoven String Quartets.

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//2564613992.htm

less than 12 pounds, excluding VAT.

[Orpheus]

For mahlerians only...



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahler-Symphonies-Leonard-Bernstein/dp/B0033QC0WY/ref=sr_1_19?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1293032545&sr=1-19

Orpheus 

[DavidRoss]

For mahlerians only...

A reissue of Lenny's DGG cycle with NYPO, WP, & RCO, offered for    £15.99--a pittance, for one of the greatest cycles on record.  If you don't have it already, then get click-happy, pronto!

[Scarpia]

A reissue of Lenny's DGG cycle with NYPO, WP, & RCO, offered for    £15.99--a pittance, for one of the greatest cycles on record.  If you don't have it already, then get click-happy, pronto!

I thought I had a bargain when I picked one up for $34 at "blowitoutahere" on Amazon marketplace.      Well, with shipping almost the same price.

[DavidRoss]

I thought I had a bargain when I picked one up for $34 at "blowitoutahere" on Amazon marketplace.      Well, with shipping almost the same price.

You had a great bargain.  So did I, back when I paid about $80 for the set.  Contains several of my "go to" recordings of some of my favorite symphonies.

[scarlattiglenross]

Interested to this box?



click here!

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B001QBXFTA/sr=8-1/qid=1292837548/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1292837548&sr=8-1&seller=

Orpheus 

I was lucky enough to get to this deal in time. However, I have just been informed by Amazon France that the seller has cancelled my order.

C'est la vie.

[Orpheus]

I was lucky enough to get to this deal in time. However, I have just been informed by Amazon France that the seller has cancelled my order.

C'est la vie.

Same message to me!

[scarlattiglenross]

Same message to me!

Never mind. I wonder if their American colleagues will pull a similar stunt on my $15.99 complete Bach organ works...

[Papy Oli]

For mahlerians only...

Orpheus 

thank you for the heads up Orpheus. t'is ordered. 

[Scarpia]

Interested to this box?



click here!

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B001QBXFTA/sr=8-1/qid=1292837548/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1292837548&sr=8-1&seller=

Orpheus 

It would be useful if you listed the price.  I have no way of knowing if the price shown when I follow the link is the price you were talking about.

I was intent on getting this set when it first came out, and I see from my records that I managed to snag a copy for $45 from an amazon.com seller.  That was from MovieMars.  Still, I now find myself with more Haydn than is justified by my love of the composer.  Perhaps I should wait for it to go tragically out of print and sell it off.   

[ammar]

Looks like Amazon.co.uk are price matching the British 'bricks & mortar' retailer HMV. There are some good bargains to be had, including the above. Amazon.co.uk have also price matched the Gieseking & Solomon EMI Icons box sets at £6.99 a pop. To see the full listings - Go to http://hmv.com/ , click on sale , click on 'CDs from £2.99' , then on Classical (all the way at the bottom left of the page) to peruse the goodies (and no, I don't know about their overseas delivery policy).

Along with the Bernstein Mahler set, the best bargain is probably :



for £29.99 delivered (in the UK)   

[ammar]

Browsing the Abeille Musique site, I came across this intriguing anthology of Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège performances, which also happily qualifies as a super-duper cheap bargain :



http://www.abeillemusique.com/CD/Classique/CYP7650/5412217076504/Cypres/Orchestre-Philharmonique-de-Liege/50e-Anniversaire/cleart-36684.html

For me, shipping worked out cheaper via Abeille's listing on Amazon.fr :

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B004DKDO1A/

[Coopmv]

Along with the Bernstein Mahler set, the best bargain is probably :



for £29.99 delivered (in the UK)   

This was pretty much what I paid when I purchased this set from Amazon UK in the summer of 09, though I had to pay for the shipping to the US.

[Brian]

Browsing the Abeille Musique site, I came across this intriguing anthology of Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège performances, which also happily qualifies as a super-duper cheap bargain :



http://www.abeillemusique.com/CD/Classique/CYP7650/5412217076504/Cypres/Orchestre-Philharmonique-de-Liege/50e-Anniversaire/cleart-36684.html

For me, shipping worked out cheaper via Abeille's listing on Amazon.fr :

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B004DKDO1A/

Hey LETHE/SARGE, there are at least two discs of Tournemire in there!

[Lethevich]

Hey LETHE/SARGE, there are at least two discs of Tournemire in there!

Haha indeed - I am also suitably impressed by the 3 discs of Lekeu and various other cool things - looks like I'm going to have to pick up this little treasure box. Thanks to you and Ammar!

Edit: Only €3.40 shipping from Amazon.fr - in total, 50 CDs for the price of 3 Hyperion discs - eek.

[Antoine Marchand]

I am not interested in this kind of compilation, but it can be interesting for someone:



Discothèque Idéale Classique 100 CD

EUR 49.99 at amazon.fr

[JPC- EUR 130; amazon.de - EUR 138, etc.]

[Orpheus]

for £29.99 delivered (in the UK)   

Just ordered, thank you! 

[evanft]

Shostakovich: The String Quartets by Fitz William Quartet 6CD brand new copy for $1.99+$3 shipping

[kishnevi]

A reissue of Lenny's DGG cycle with NYPO, WP, & RCO, offered for    £15.99--a pittance, for one of the greatest cycles on record.  If you don't have it already, then get click-happy, pronto!

I got it when it came out for about $45, IIRC. 
Be warned:  it does not contain DLvdE or the song cycles for single soloist.  And the symphonies are spread over discs and crammed together in no real order after the first three.  A compressed table of contents
CD 1 Sym. 1 complete  Sym. 2 Mvmt. 1
CD 3 Sym. 2 Mvmts 2-5
CD 3 Sym. 3 Mvmts 1-3
and then the fun begins
CD 4 Sym. 3 Mvmts. 4-6  Sym. 6 Mvmts. 1-2
CD 5 Sym. 6 Mvmts. 3-4  Sym. 9 Mvmt. 1
CD 6 Sym. 9 Mvmts 2-4
CD 7 Sym.  5--the only symphony in the box which is both complete on one disc and does not share space with part of another
CD 8 Sym. 7 Mvmts 1-4
CD 9 Sym. 7 Mvmt. 5 Sym. 4 complete
CD 10 Sym. 10 Adagio Sym. 8 Part I
CD 11 Sym. 8 Part II

of course, some of this was Bernstein, since six of his performances are too long to fit on one CD.

If cost is not a priority,  all of Bernstein's DG Mahler recordings, including DLvdE and the song cycle,  are available in a set of three boxes for a price (last time I looked, which was a while ago) of roughly $110.00 USD

[Gurn Blanston]

Shostakovich: The String Quartets by Fitz William Quartet 6CD brand new copy for $1.99+$3 shipping

Pity I already have it, that's a bargain waiting for someone!

[mc ukrneal]

Geez 14 dollars, Neal! Could you not have told me

It's back at Berkshire (the 2 disc set of Brahms trios) for $14. The full set was here as well, but at something like $60.

[listener]

Haha indeed - I am also suitably impressed by the 3 discs of Lekeu and various other cool things - looks like I'm going to have to pick up this little treasure box. Thanks to you and Ammar!

Edit: Only €3.40 shipping from Amazon.fr - in total, 50 CDs for the price of 3 Hyperion discs - eek.

shipping to Canada only €10.90   I think I get them at $1.14 per disc! Price shown is for ECU so shipping to North America knocks off 15? 18%     ordered from amazon.fr !!!!!  €31.53 + shipping ...

[Antoine Marchand]

I guess these guys don't learn:



£10.89

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Chopin-F/dp/B003DQIQ7C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1293278520&sr=1-1

This time all the description is right: picture, title, number of discs, even ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number).

[Que]

I guess these guys don't learn:



£10.89

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Chopin-F/dp/B003DQIQ7C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1293278520&sr=1-1

This time all the description is right: picture, title, number of discs, even ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number).

I'm really tempted to try again. 
But they probably won't deliver - I can already picture it: two or three messages that delivery has been postponed and in the end an anullment...

Still...

Q

[Antoine Marchand]

I'm really tempted to try again. 
But they probably won't deliver - I can already picture it: two or three messages that delivery has been postponed and in the end an anullment...

Still...

Well, my set was dispatched from Amazon France two weeks ago; but I didn't resist to try my fortune and today I ordered another one from Amazon UK. IMO they can't argue that this product is not in stock because it will be available on January 11. I think we have a strong case, Q. 

[ammar]

Compare (and discuss  ) :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Chopin-F/dp/B004EQAUZQ/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Piesni-Songs-F-Chopin/dp/B00383YC1Y/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Chopin-F/dp/B003DQIQ7C/

[evanft]

I guess these guys don't learn:



£10.89

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Chopin-F/dp/B003DQIQ7C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1293278520&sr=1-1

This time all the description is right: picture, title, number of discs, even ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number).

The ASIN is B003DQIQ7C. That's the ASIN of Songs. The ASIN for the big box on Amazon UK and US is B004EQAUZQ.

[scarlattiglenross]

I paid on average $1.50 per CD for the Vaughan Williams: The Collector's Edition set at Amazon US.  The ImportCD price would have been about $0.40 per CD.  I have not bought from ImportCD in months, its packaging is the worse among the Amazon MP vendors.  I have not received any orders from them without any busted CD jewel cases in a very long time ...   

Right now this set is 27.99 GBP on Amazon UK (matching HMV's sale price). Is this the best price around at the moment? I don't want to put this down, bargain as it is, to discover it on sale for ten pounds somewhere tomorrow!

[Antoine Marchand]

The ASIN is B003DQIQ7C. That's the ASIN of Songs. The ASIN for the big box on Amazon UK and US is B004EQAUZQ.

Amazon has made a lot of mistakes, so it is impossible to be completely sure; both Amazon USA and UK have confused the big box with a single disc of songs.

But AFAIK the only Amazon site currently delivering the big box is the Amazon France (I don't know the reason why, but Amazon France always has these things first). Amazon France has the box in stock, including a correct description: title, number of discs and even you can read a review about the box set. Well, the ASIN indicated there for the big box is B003DQIQ7C.

You can check out this link:

http://www.amazon.fr/Real-Chopin-Complete-Works/dp/B003DQIQ7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293312338&sr=8-1

If it's not the big box, well... all the info and even the review would be incorrect and that would mean that I paid EUR 90 for a single disc on Amazon France.   

[ammar]

For what it's worth, I ordered the set from a third party seller on Amazon.de for around EUR 10  (ASIN B003DQIQ7C) and received the single disc pisni / songs recording (Amazon.de themselves are selling ASIN B003DQIQ7C for EUR 107.99). An excellent performance all in, but not for EUR 90 - let us know how you get on Antoine.

scarlattiglenross - try under http://www.cdspot.co.uk/ . It's the least ad ridden and most comprehensive comparison site for UK releases that I know of. Just copy/paste the Amazon.co.uk title into the cdspot search and hey presto (though you'll need to remove any punctuation marks, as they seem to 'break' the search engine) - for example http://www.cdspot.co.uk/B00156ZWV0.html 

[Coopmv]

Right now this set is 27.99 GBP on Amazon UK (matching HMV's sale price). Is this the best price around at the moment? I don't want to put this down, bargain as it is, to discover it on sale for ten pounds somewhere tomorrow!

27.99 GBP is a rational price.  My sense is ImportCD sold the set at $11 USD at a loss and you are unlikely to see that insane price again ...

[AnthonyAthletic]

Here's a Super Duper Cheap Bargain!!



Here's a Marvellous SACD/Hybrid of
Mozart's Wind Concerti (selected)

I suppose its mainly for UK only at £0.99p & £0.95 shipping = £1.94p is a steal, esp for music making of such wonderful high quality.  All the solists are accompanied by the elite strings of the Concertgebouw Orchestra...marvellous!! 

USA shipping appears to be £2.50p.  I have bought a few for Family & Friends.  Seller apparantly has 50 for sale, hence the price and has sold 28...so with 22 left there's time for anyone who fancies one to grab it.  I see GMG's very own, Scott Morrison reviewed this on USA Amazon and was very impressed at how good it is, and I can second that. 

Definately worth checking out....

Mozart SACD/Hybrid

Current Amazon UK Prices : £14 New - £9.50 : Used plus standard shipping of £1.26p

[Lethevich]

Thanks Tony, I like the programming (collections of all four horn concertos I find to be a drag) so will give it a try.

[Orpheus]

Britten's fans, look here



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Benjamin-Britten-Collectors-Box-Set/dp/B001EOOC3W/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1294945912&sr=1-1

Orpheus 

[mc ukrneal]

Britten's fans, look here



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Benjamin-Britten-Collectors-Box-Set/dp/B001EOOC3W/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1294945912&sr=1-1

Orpheus 

23.99 Pounds for those too lazy to click the link.

[karlhenning]

Very nice!

[71 dB]

23.99 Pounds for those too lazy to click the link.

Why Britten (37 CDs) and Vaughan-Williams (30 CDs) boxes are £23.99 but Elgar box (30 CDs) is £38.99? Very unfair to us ELGARIANS! 

[DavidRoss]

Why Britten (37 CDs) and Vaughan-Williams (30 CDs) boxes are £23.99 but Elgar box (30 CDs) is £38.99? Very unfair to us ELGARIANS! 

Perhaps pricing is market driven? 

[Opus106]

Why Britten (37 CDs) and Vaughan-Williams (30 CDs) boxes are £23.99 but Elgar box (30 CDs) is £38.99? Very unfair to us ELGARIANS! 

Aren't you proud/overjoyed that Elgar is valued more?

[The new erato]

I think it is to protect children.

[Orpheus]

I think it is to protect children.

[Antoine Marchand]

I guess these guys don't learn:



£10.89

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Chopin-F/dp/B003DQIQ7C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1293278520&sr=1-1

This time all the description is right: picture, title, number of discs, even ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number).

Apparently my conclusions were not wrong. Now when this link above is clicked the price shown is £71.99 and the box set is announced for the next Monday... I ordered it for £9.08, VAT excl. Anyway, it will take some weeks to know the result of this bet. 

[minamazzini]

This thread about the Chopin box has been really useful over the last week or so while I wondered what might arrive in the post next week...still wondering of course, but at least Amazon will take it back if it's wrong!
Only trouble is I rather hastily ordered from a seller on Amazon when one popped up as well , for £14 from the states...I did ask them whether it was a 21 cd box and they replied...'sorry, I don't know'...hmmm
The Britten box has to be a bargain though...mine is on it's way

[71 dB]

Perhaps pricing is market driven?

Classical music pricing is usually label driven and I don't think Elgar is that more popular on the market than Britten and Vaughan-Williams.

Aren't you proud/overjoyed that Elgar is valued more?

In a way yes, but being proud does not make anyone a millionaire. I already own about half of the Elgar box so I'd like to have it for a nice price.

[Que]

Apparently my conclusions were not wrong. Now when this link above is clicked the price shown is £71.99 and the box set is announced for the next Monday... I ordered it for £9.08, VAT excl. Anyway, it will take some weeks to know the result of this bet. 

After ordering and subsequently receiving the single disc with songs and the hassle of returning it, I got tired of the whole thing. But I should have reordered.....

Q

[FideLeo]

But I should have reordered.....

Perhaps, considering that a cancellation note in email requires no return whatsoever. 

[Que]

Perhaps, considering that a cancellation note in email requires no return whatsoever. 

Long time no see... Welcome back!

Q

[Harry]

I wanted to order the Britten box, but by Jove its already 50 pounds, so I simply have to wait for a new opportunity, simply saw this one a tad too late.

[FideLeo]

Long time no see... Welcome back!

Q

Hi Q

Thanks!    Hope to visit again soon.

ps. It looks like the 'deal' has fooled quite a few over in France as well.
http://bons-plans-classique.blogspot.com/2011/01/coffret-real-chopin-21-cd-11.html

[scarlattiglenross]

This set for $15.90 over at amazon! Already ordered .

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-J-S-Complete-Organ-Works/dp/B001R3YJS8/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3LUCY0Y6LF6WW&colid=1L61W0MN46OUE

Finally got a shipping notification for this... there is hope after all.

[mc ukrneal]

Finally got a shipping notification for this... there is hope after all.

It's now down to $13.17!! Though out of stock...

[scarlattiglenross]

It was out of stock when I ordered in mid-December, and has remained so since (with price fluctuations). Still worth a shot, I'd say.

[Coopmv]

Aren't you proud/overjoyed that Elgar is valued more?

Only Elgarian cares about if Elgar is more highly valued ...     

[rubio]

Finally got a shipping notification for this... there is hope after all.

I received it yesterday .

[Opus106]

I received it yesterday .

And I, on the 13th. The shipping notification, that is.

[The new erato]

Finally got a shipping notification for this... there is hope after all.

I got my shipping confirmation the 28th December, and received it yesterday. As rubio, another Norwegian, did. A grand total of 140 NOK incl P&P, equal to around $24 or £15. The shipping was about half the cost.

[scarlattiglenross]

I got my shipping confirmation the 28th December, and received it yesterday. As rubio, another Norwegian, did. A grand total of 140 NOK incl P&P, equal to around $24 or £15. The shipping was about half the cost.

Don't NOK it 'til you've tried it.

[listener]

BACH ORGAN WORKS     KOOPMAN
It's now down to $13.17!! Though out of stock...

Gone up to $13.37!    Still not in stock  though.    1/7th the price of the Canadian souce.

[Antoine Marchand]

Apparently my conclusions were not wrong. Now when this link above is clicked the price shown is £71.99 and the box set is announced for the next Monday... I ordered it for £9.08, VAT excl. Anyway, it will take some weeks to know the result of this bet. 

The story continues... Another policial story, better than the story of Vernet's set. 

Today I found this review on Amazon UK, regarding the "Real Chopin" set that I purchased for £9.08, VAT excl., and now tagged £71.99:

1.0 out of 5 stars Buyer beware!, 19 Jan 2011
By
Baron Scarpia - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Real Chopin (Audio CD)
This is a warning to those tempted by the offer of a 21 disc boxed set of The Real Chopin. This is misadvertised by Amazon; the actual item is a single disc of the complete Chopin songs, still from the Chopin Institute (NIFC) but not the 21 disc boxed set. I hope/ trust that Amazon will revise their product information (and price!) accordingly.

One star is for Amazon's info, not the quality of the disc, btw.

You may believe what you want, but this review sounds very strange.

A guy who paid £71.99 for a single disc and even take some time to clarify: "One star is for Amazon's info, not the quality of the disc, btw". In fact when this guy wrote his "review" the set had been tagged £71.99 during several weeks.

Additionally, how this guy has this info if the set or disc has never been available since it was announced.

And the nickname of the reviewer! My God! 

[FideLeo]

The story continues...

Yes.  The price has been changed back to £12.99 (with VAT obviously) today.  No other change is made, but no more 'mispricing'.  Makes me wonder what they will eventually deliver to the hundreds of people who pre-ordered. 

[Que]

Yes.  The price has been changed back to £12.99 (with VAT obviously) today.  No other change is made, but no more 'mispricing'.  Makes me wonder what they will eventually deliver to the hundreds of people who pre-ordered. 

Interesting, maybe I have another go!

With Amazon proper that is. I sent a email to a marketplace seller that offered at 40 pounds, asking if the offer was correct. Could have well been, for that price. But he replied that he would check, and subsequnetely withdrew his offer...

Q

[FideLeo]

Interesting, maybe I have another go!

With Amazon proper that is. I sent a email to a marketplace seller that offered at 40 pounds, asking if the offer was correct. Could have well been, for that price. But he replied that he would check, and subsequnetely withdrew his offer...

Q

By all means.  The more the merrier. 

[minimal music]

Besides the 12.97 Real Chopin box, the songs from this series are now offered as a single CD for 3.37

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Piesni-Songs-Kurzak-Kwiecien-Goerner/dp/B00383YC1Y/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1295917231&sr=1-4

[Scarpia]

Well, this is not super-bargain, but another volume of the St. Petersburg Quartet Shostakovich cycle as appeared on Hyperion's "please buy me."  I think this is the forth volume of the series to appear there recently.

Also, two volumes of Angela Hewitt's Beethoven cycle are there.  There has to be something strange going on when discs containing the "Pathetique" and "Appasionata" sonatas are the worst selling discs in a record companies catalog.  (Makes me feel I need to have them.   )

[minamazzini]

Hurrah!!! Chopin Box arrived and is as it said in the listing after all...21 cds, two played, both excellent and very happy-making.
Amazon kept to their price after all, and it's still there for £12.77 today...so tempting to buy another only I couldn't think of anyone to give it to
Jordi Savall box from Virgin on Amazon seems good value - 8 cds for £9.99 España Antigua...somehow it found it's way into my basket...
Hope all who hoped to got their Chopin Box too today

[Opus106]

so tempting to buy another only I couldn't think of anyone to give it to

Hi! I believe we haven't met before...

[minamazzini]

hello there
it's only my third post...I was getting anxious about the Real Chopin Box set and found this forum which set my mind at rest, well, nearly at rest! It's great having all these people discussing things I'm interested in... A very happy state of affairs. I'm sure there was a bit of the site to introduce myself and I must go back and find it...

[FideLeo]

...I was getting anxious about the Real Chopin Box set...

Anxiety is over: price back to £71.99 for that one, too, at Amazon uk. 

[Lethevich]

My box arrived too - thanks for the heads up!

[Orpheus]

For the fan of the "baroque Opera Seria" only...here is a gem!



look here

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/offer-listing/B000MG1YGQ/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1296060330&sr=1-1&condition=new

Orpheus 

[MishaK]

Now reissued in cardboard sans booklet, at $35 this magnificent reference cycle is a real bargain:

[asin]B0042U2HLY[/asin]

[Orpheus]

Now reissued in cardboard sans booklet, at $35 this magnificent reference cycle is a real bargain:

[asin]B0042U2HLY[/asin]

Better at € 21,99...

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/offer-listing/B0042U2HLY/ref=sr_1_1_olp?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1296061859&sr=1-1&condition=new

[Mirror Image]

Now reissued in cardboard sans booklet, at $35 this magnificent reference cycle is a real bargain:

[asin]B0042U2HLY[/asin]

I actually prefer the older set where there are individual jewel cases with their own inserts. I only paid $30 for mine two years ago.

[Coopmv]

I actually prefer the older set where there are individual jewel cases with their own inserts. I only paid $30 for mine two years ago.

This set came with individual jewel cases with their own inserts.  The last 2 symphonies came in a twofer jewel case though.

[Que]

Anxiety is over: price back to £71.99 for that one, too, at Amazon uk. 

I must have re-ordered that "real Chopin" box just in time yesterday!  And it seems that my chances of actually getting it after all, are increasing.

Q

[canninator]

I must have re-ordered that "real Chopin" box just in time yesterday!  And it seems that my chances of actually getting it after all, are increasing.

Q

I pre-ordered mine in Dec after an order with amazon.de fell through. Arrived yesterday, 21 CDs as advertised and I'm loving it, baby.

[FideLeo]

And it seems that my chances of actually getting it after all, are increasing.

They'd better be .  I have gifts for several people all lined up waiting in that queue! 

[Antoine Marchand]

I must have re-ordered that "real Chopin" box just in time yesterday!  And it seems that my chances of actually getting it after all, are increasing.

Apparently, you will have a debt of gratitude with me, Mr. Q. 

Anyway, I won´t accept any liability if you only receive a nice disc of songs. 

[Orpheus]

For Verdians only 



look here!

[Lethevich]

At almost 1 Euro per CD, and presumably without a single dud (if the early works came from Philips' series), this set could be an amazing seal.

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Giuseppe-Verdi-S%E4mtliche-Werke/hnum/9615695

Thanks for pointing it out!

[The new erato]

this set could be an amazing seal.

[Lethevich]

For some reason he reminds me of Falstaff with a bad hangover.

[mc ukrneal]

At almost 1 Euro per CD, and presumably without a single dud (if the early works came from Philips' series), this set could be an amazing seal.

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Giuseppe-Verdi-S%E4mtliche-Werke/hnum/9615695

Thanks for pointing it out!

It looks to me like a Dr J and Mr H type set. Some of the early works are fantastic and well recorded with Gardelli. But many (not all) of the most well known are not first choices. Some of them are on the old side too. But it may be that there are enough great works to still make this worth it (with a few to be complemented with other sets).

[FideLeo]

For some reason he reminds me of Falstaff with a bad hangover.

In this case, sake-drinking (in bath) has just started! 

[Scarpia]

99 cds for £136 (excluding VAT) at mdt.  That's borderline super-bargain.



But that is based on the assumption that every note Liszt wrote is worth listening to, I suppose.

[Orpheus]

99 cds for £136 (excluding VAT) at mdt.  That's borderline super-bargain.



But that is based on the assumption that every note Liszt wrote is worth listening to, I suppose.

I'd like to find a better offer...

[Scarpia]

I'd like to find a better offer...

If you buy it from Hyperion's web site it is £260, so mdt is offering a steep discount.  However it is more Liszt than I will ever need to hear so I am not in the market unless there is a truly stunning discount.

[Coopmv]

I'd like to find a better offer...

I just placed my last order with Presto Classical last week and that will be it for a while or until my past orders placed just a week before Christmas start to arrive.  I have no clue what those incompetent at the homeland security have been doing to all the trans-Atlantic packages from the UK.  Packages sent by the Royal Airmail used to take at most 10 days.

[mc ukrneal]

I just placed my last order with Presto Classical last week and that will be it for a while or until my past orders placed just a week before Christmas start to arrive.  I have no clue what those incompetent at the homeland security have been doing to all the trans-Atlantic packages from the UK.  Packages sent by the Royal Airmail used to take at most 10 days.

Well, on top of that there has been several feet of snow on the east coast - every few days another storm. Add holidays in and you have a general mess. On the other hand, I received an order that I'd made in mid-December just this past week, so yours will probably make it to you - eventually!

[Bulldog]

I'd like to find a better offer...

A better pianist than Howard wouldn't be a bad move either.

[Coopmv]

Well, on top of that there has been several feet of snow on the east coast - every few days another storm. Add holidays in and you have a general mess. On the other hand, I received an order that I'd made in mid-December just this past week, so yours will probably make it to you - eventually!

Weather alone cannot explain such delay - 4 weeks and counting.  How many days does it usually take for airmail to arrive from the UK?

[mc ukrneal]

Weather alone cannot explain such delay - 4 weeks and counting.  How many days does it usually take for airmail to arrive from the UK?

Well - I think the weather could have played a role. First there was the UK storm. If your order didn't get out ahead of this, I doubt it made it until at least after Christmas. THe following week there was a storm in the US, so the liklihood that your disc got out in December is close to nil. So then we are talking January 3 and it is likely still in the UK!!!! The eastern US was then hit by several storms over the next few weeks. SO service was still getting back to normal, when it was regularly hit by new delays. For example, the week of MLK holday, Monday was a day off and there were two storms that week. SO even if it got the US, if it was stuck in an eastern state (or southern state - they were hit really hard too at one point), it may been stalled even more. Anyway, I'm not trying to defend anyone (you want your discs gosh darnit!  ), but just show that the weather really could have played a big role.

[PaulSC]

Well - I think the weather could have played a role. First there was the UK storm. If your order didn't get out ahead of this, I doubt it made it until at least after Christmas. THe following week there was a storm in the US, so the liklihood that your disc got out in December is close to nil. So then we are talking January 3 and it is likely still in the UK!!!! The eastern US was then hit by several storms over the next few weeks. SO service was still getting back to normal, when it was regularly hit by new delays. For example, the week of MLK holday, Monday was a day off and there were two storms that week. SO even if it got the US, if it was stuck in an eastern state (or southern state - they were hit really hard too at one point), it may been stalled even more. Anyway, I'm not trying to defend anyone (you want your discs gosh darnit!  ), but just show that the weather really could have played a big role.

Translation: Your CDs have been delayed by the flapping of a butterfly's wings. 

[Leon]

[asin]B001R3YJS8[/asin]

$14.95 for 16 discs.

[Scarpia]

[asin]B001R3YJS8[/asin]

$14.95 for 16 discs.

And I thought I had a great deal when I paid twice that some months ago.   

[mc ukrneal]

Abeille Musique Just thought I would mention that they have increased some of the discounts on SOME of the discs (Supraphon and Decapo, for example). In some cases the current price is only slight more (or just about) the same price I paid without VAT. I don't know how long the sale goes, but this may be of interest.

[Harry]

Abeille Musique Just thought I would mention that they have increased some of the discounts on SOME of the discs (Supraphon and Decapo, for example). In some cases the current price is only slight more (or just about) the same price I paid without VAT. I don't know how long the sale goes, but this may be of interest.

Did the Supraphon, will look at Da Capo

[Scarpia]

Back to this set.

[asin]B004G7FFF8[/asin]

For those that have this set on their radar, one more data point with respect to price.  www.abeillemusique.com has it for about 145 Euros, and shipping to the US is only 8 Euros or so, which makes the the best deal I've found so far. 

[Brian]

It's still all Liszt, though.    If somebody donated me 145 euros, I'd probably get the Bernstein Symphony Edition* or buy as many ZigZag/Harmonia Mundi CDs as possible.

*which, if you see as a super-duper bargain, you should post forthwith please

[Scarpia]

It's still all Liszt, though.    If somebody donated me 145 euros, I'd probably get the Bernstein Symphony Edition* or buy as many ZigZag/Harmonia Mundi CDs as possible.

*which, if you see as a super-duper bargain, you should post forthwith please

If someone gave me the Bernstein symphony edition I'd give it to my wife.  She uses discarded CDs to scare birds away from the tomato plants.   

Seriously, if you buy 100 CDs of Liszt from the well known pianists you get at least 10 versions each of the same 10 CDs of music.  I'm curious to know what the rest of it is like.   I like to decide for myself what bits I like. 

[Brian]

If someone gave me the Bernstein symphony edition I'd give it to my wife.  She uses discarded CDs to scare birds away from the tomato plants.   

Seriously, if you buy 100 CDs of Liszt from the well known pianists you get at least 10 versions each of the same 10 CDs of music.  I'm curious to know what the rest of it is like.   I like to decide for myself what bits I like.

Well tell you what, if somebody gives you the Bernstein and somebody gives me the Liszt, let's trade.

At any rate your odds of a happy ending are better than mine: the BSE seems to already be vanishing completely from online shops. The Amazons are already at marketplace-only, ArkivMusic is clearing it out, and MDT, Presto, Europa, CD Universe, and JPC don't carry it or are permanently out of stock.

[Scarpia]

At any rate your odds of a happy ending are better than mine: the BSE seems to already be vanishing completely from online shops. The Amazons are already at marketplace-only, ArkivMusic is clearing it out, and MDT, Presto, Europa, CD Universe, and JPC don't carry it or are permanently out of stock.

Is that a Sony or DG edition?

[Opus106]

Bernstein Symphony Edition*

*which, if you see as a super-duper bargain, you should post forthwith please

What's your limit on SD(C)B?

[Coopmv]

It's still all Liszt, though.   

It is sad but true.  99 CD's of Liszt music are a bit much for me ...

[Scarpia]

It is sad but true.  99 CD's of Liszt music are a bit much for me ...

Exactly, what you need is another 99 recordings of the Brandenburg Concertos...

[The new erato]

Exactly, what you need is another 99 recordings of the Brandenburg Concertos...

Slightly too much for me as well, even though I don't think I have more than 5-7 recordings of any given work - and that I tend towards buying recordings of music I don't know rather than another recording of music I know well. Some of Liszt's music is very impressive, but for every impressive work I've heard, I've heard at least one superficial, virtuosic potboiler, and I fear those will dominate the further one ventures into the unknown realms documented in this set.....

[Scarpia]

Some of Liszt's music is very impressive, but for every impressive work I've heard, I've heard at least one superficial, virtuosic potboiler, and I fear those will dominate the further one ventures into the unknown realms documented in this set.....

That is an assumption.  How else can one find out?  My curiosity got the better of me.

[Brian]

What's your limit on SD(C)B?

Well I thought I was going to wait until August and then pick up a copy when I went back to the USA to a PhD program. Bring it along to the apartment as a self-housewarming-present. But it's so rare already that if I wait until August I might have to pay $200.

So let's say <$100.

[Brian]

That is an assumption.  How else can one find out?  My curiosity got the better of me.

Well at a minimum I will be curious about the results. Maybe start a thread, or post your findings in the Liszt's Lair or whatever it's called?

[The new erato]

That is an assumption.  How else can one find out?  My curiosity got the better of me.

Well yes, of course that's one of the attractions of buying classical music. But the satisfaction of curiosity in this case comes with a hefty pricetag - and (what's more important) the sacrifice of lots of time - there's lots of music I feel is a safer bet to explore. Eg the 60 disc BIS Sibelius edition, etc etc....

[Coopmv]

Well I thought I was going to wait until August and then pick up a copy when I went back to the USA to a PhD program. Bring it along to the apartment as a self-housewarming-present. But it's so rare already that if I wait until August I might have to pay $200.

So let's say <$100.

Only time will tell.  If the Euro collapses, then the dollar may enjoy some unexpected strength and thereby purchasing power ...   

[Scarpia]

Well yes, of course that's one of the attractions of buying classical music. But the satisfaction of curiosity in this case comes with a hefty pricetag - and (what's more important) the sacrifice of lots of time - there's lots of music I feel is a safer bet to explore. Eg the 60 disc BIS Sibelius edition, etc etc....

That 60 cd BIS Sibelius edition would cost me $600, rather than $200 (street price in the US) and most of the stuff in there that I don't already have in in genres which I don't generally listen to, like choral music, voice and piano, violin and piano (I have a ton of Sibelius on the shelves).  I am tempted by the Chamber music volumes, though.

[Orpheus]

For Gilels fans...



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emil-Gilels-Icon/dp/B003D0ZNXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297191333&sr=8-1

Orpheus 

[PaulSC]

Some of Liszt's music is very impressive, but for every impressive work I've heard, I've heard at least one superficial, virtuosic potboiler, and I fear those will dominate the further one ventures into the unknown realms documented in this set.....

That is an assumption.  How else can one find out?

There is another way.

[Scarpia]

There is another way.

Besides listening to it?

I can't really think of any Liszt pieces that can be described by the typical criticism of empty pianistic pyrotechnics.  What are the examples of this sin?

[PaulSC]

Scarpia, sorry if that was obscure; I posted a link to the (nearly) complete scores online at IMSLP.  I've found it to be a great resource for exploring unfamiliar music without blind-buying recordings. There is, I admit, always the possibility that a great performance will turn you on to a seemingly unpromising piece, I admit...

Besides listening to it?

I can't really think of any Liszt pieces that can be described by the typical criticism of empty pianistic pyrotechnics.  What are the examples of this sin?

[Scarpia]

Scarpia, sorry if that was obscure; I posted a link to the (nearly) complete scores online at IMSLP.  I've found it to be a great resource for exploring unfamiliar music without blind-buying recordings. There is, I admit, always the possibility that a great performance will turn you on to a seemingly unpromising piece, I admit...

Ok, maybe if I drop a random score of a piece by Liszt in front of you, you will be able to tell if those pages and pages of flowing arpeggios are just "pyrotechnics" or a work of genius like some of the movements in Annes de Pelerinage.   And how many hours of pouring over scores will it take to verify that each disc of that set, which costs me $2, is worth my time?   Isn't it more pleasant to simply listen to it?

The way I see it, for $2 a day, Liszt is a troubadour providing my evening entertainment.   And as has been mentioned above, there are lots of people who are wont to imply that Liszt produced a lot of trashy music without even naming an example.

[Brian]

For Gilels fans...



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emil-Gilels-Icon/dp/B003D0ZNXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297191333&sr=8-1

Orpheus 

Hmm, I don't need two (!) Beethoven concerto cycles, but I am a Gilels fan, and that's 9 discs for the price of 1...!

[Scarpia]

Hmm, I don't need two (!) Beethoven concerto cycles, but I am a Gilels fan, and that's 9 discs for the price of 1...!

That's odd, Cleveland/Szell on EMI.  Must have been some sort of deal with Columbia.

[MishaK]

That's odd, Cleveland/Szell on EMI.  Must have been some sort of deal with Columbia.

He was all over the place. There is a Dvorak Cello Concerto with Fournier/Berlin Phil/Szell on DG.

[Scarpia]

He was all over the place. There is a Dvorak Cello Concerto with Fournier/Berlin Phil/Szell on DG.

I have several non-Columbia Szell recordings, but I thought there was an exclusive contract for Szell/Cleveland

[PaulSC]

Ok, maybe if I drop a random score of a piece by Liszt in front of you, you will be able to tell if those pages and pages of flowing arpeggios are just "pyrotechnics" or a work of genius like some of the movements in Annes de Pelerinage.   And how many hours of pouring over scores will it take to verify that each disc of that set, which costs me $2, is worth my time?   Isn't it more pleasant to simply listen to it?

Both are equally pleasant and take equally long.

[Scarpia]

Both are equally pleasant and take equally long.

Squinting at my monitor trying to decipher piano scores does not give me as much pleasure as listening to music, but that's me.

[PaulSC]

Squinting at my monitor trying to decipher piano scores does not give me as much pleasure as listening to music, but that's me.

Indeed.

[Coopmv]

For Gilels fans...



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emil-Gilels-Icon/dp/B003D0ZNXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297191333&sr=8-1

Orpheus 

A great price even for shipment to the US.

[mc ukrneal]

This seems like a pretty good deal at EUR 17.99 (5 discs worth of her music): http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Hilary-Hahn-Collection-Sony-Recordings/hnum/7936944

[MishaK]

This seems like a pretty good deal at EUR 17.99 (5 discs worth of her music): http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Hilary-Hahn-Collection-Sony-Recordings/hnum/7936944

Absolutely. An extremely worthwhile acquisition by any means even for multiples of that price. I own these in their individual incarnations. The Bach and Beethoven are absolutely superlative. Hahn is the queen of doublestops, and her Bach, recorded at age 16, is still a marvel of pure natural musicianship. Bach's polyphony just comes alive and hovers in the room. The Beethoven is just gorgeous, with possibly the most dance inducing finale on record. Benefits from Zinman's thoughtful accompaniment. Bernstein and Meyer lack any serious competition anyway. The Mendelssohn is a brisk, fleet, controlled sort of Sturm-und-Drang take on the familiar warhorse. The Shosty may be too controlled and analytical for some, but I think the work benefits from having the ideological and cultural baggage essentially thrown out the window. At least it's a valid alternative interpretation. The Brahms is gorgeous if not quite as magesterial as Milstein/Fistoulari, Ferras/Schuricht or Oistrakh/Klemp. The Stravinsky is wonderfully incisive and precise on Hahn's part, but Marriner/ASMIF aren't perhaps the ideal accompanists.

[Scarpia]

Absolutely. An extremely worthwhile acquisition by any means even for multiples of that price. I own these in their individual incarnations. The Bach and Beethoven are absolutely superlative. Hahn is the queen of doublestops, and her Bach, recorded at age 16, is still a marvel of pure natural musicianship. Bach's polyphony just comes alive and hovers in the room. The Beethoven is just gorgeous, with possibly the most dance inducing finale on record. Benefits from Zinman's thoughtful accompaniment. Bernstein and Meyer lack any serious competition anyway. The Mendelssohn is a brisk, fleet, controlled sort of Sturm-und-Drang take on the familiar warhorse. The Shosty may be too controlled and analytical for some, but I think the work benefits from having the ideological and cultural baggage essentially thrown out the window. At least it's a valid alternative interpretation. The Brahms is gorgeous if not quite as magesterial as Milstein/Fistoulari, Ferras/Schuricht or Oistrakh/Klemp. The Stravinsky is wonderfully incisive and precise on Hahn's part, but Marriner/ASMIF aren't perhaps the ideal accompanists.

Marriner is a deal killer for me.  But the other discs sound interesting.

[MishaK]

Marriner is a deal killer for me.  But the other discs sound interesting.

I know what you mean. But I happened to have heard Hahn live with Marriner/ASMIF in the Stravinsky in Cologne around the time the disc came out. The orchestra sounded completely different when she was onstage. It was as if you had completely replaced the entire personnel. I have never seen such a schizophrenic performance in my life. The Stravinsky was so alive, vivacious, incisive and just a joy to listen to. Then ASMIF and Marriner phoned in a completely superfluous performance of Beethoven 2 in the second half. Go figure. Really, you should think of this disc as Hahn leading the ASMIF with Marriner in a purely decorative function for most of the time.

[DavidRoss]

I'll second Mensch--a killer deal. It's all good, effortlessly gorgeous, and the only knock on the Bach is that it's not complete (partitas #2 & 3, sonata #3).

[Scarpia]

I'll second Mensch--a killer deal. It's all good, effortlessly gorgeous, and the only knock on the Bach is that it's not complete (partitas #2 & 3, sonata #3).

Well, not a killer deal in the US, in any case, jpc shipping on a single item ain't cheap.

Just got my shipping notice on this baby.

http://www.abeillemusique.com/

$209, including shipping to the US, for 99 CDs.  That's borderline super-bargain.  The price has been inching down on amazon.com, but still well above that.  I'm curious if I'll get hit with some mysterious import duty when it arrives.

[Brian]

I'm curious if I'll get hit with some mysterious import duty when it arrives.

Well, last year when I lived in Texas and ordered the complete works of Brahms, Rachmaninov, and the 100 CD set of "Russian Legends" from Abeille, I didn't get hit with any duties...

[Orpheus]

Just landed!!!



Orpheus felix 

[Lethevich]

Congratulations, Orpheus - and thank you for all your tips in this thread, I've taken advantage of one or two

[Coopmv]

Well, last year when I lived in Texas and ordered the complete works of Brahms, Rachmaninov, and the 100 CD set of "Russian Legends" from Abeille, I didn't get hit with any duties...

I wonder if $400 is the limit ...

[Orpheus]

Drop down!



http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004G7FFF8/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Orpheus 

[Scarpia]

Drop down!



http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004G7FFF8/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Orpheus 

Damn!  FabulousCD is the Amazon Marketplace alias of www.abeillemusique.com, the same place I ordered my set.  Would have saved about $25 if I had anticipated this one, but in the long run I've just as often missed a bargain as found one by holding out.

[stingo]

On looking at the Liszt set, I found this for $53.99 from the same vendor:

[asin]B000T2ONOI[/asin]

[Scarpia]

On looking at the Liszt set, I found this for $53.99 from the same vendor:

Yes, looking at the FabulousCD "storefront" you will find some other impressive deals, as well as a bunch of things listed at prices that are not a deal at all.

[Coopmv]

On looking at the Liszt set, I found this for $53.99 from the same vendor:

[asin]B000T2ONOI[/asin]

50 cents a CD.  This is a helluva bargain ...

[Brian]

I bought that Russian Legends box for 30 euros and I have to say, no matter the price, it's the best CD purchase I made last year. A really astonishing trove of greatness: Richter's Beethoven and Schubert, something like 13 CDs of Gilels, Rostropovich's mesmerizing Weinberg concerto, my favorite Tchaikovsky violin concerto reading ever (Kogan), and untold riches I haven't even begun to listen to yet. It's a gold mine.

[stingo]

I bought that Russian Legends box for 30 euros and I have to say, no matter the price, it's the best CD purchase I made last year. A really astonishing trove of greatness: Richter's Beethoven and Schubert, something like 13 CDs of Gilels, Rostropovich's mesmerizing Weinberg concerto, my favorite Tchaikovsky violin concerto reading ever (Kogan), and untold riches I haven't even begun to listen to yet. It's a gold mine.

I have the Rostropovich set and love it, so I figured the rest of the series would be worth owning. Glad to know I wasn't mistaken.

[stingo]

My order for the Brilliant set was cancelled as the items weren't in stock. Strange they don't handle them like Amazon, keeping orders until new stock arrives.

[Opus106]

My order for the Brilliant set was cancelled as the items weren't in stock. Strange they don't handle them like Amazon, keeping orders until new stock arrives.

The super-duper cheap sale at Abeille usually comes with the fine print that the offer is available only until stocks last.

[stingo]

Fair enough. I'll keep on the lookout for the set as a super duper bargain and until then delve into the Rostropovich set.

Purely out of curiosity, why isn't this thread in the Great Recordings subforum?

[PaulSC]

Purely out of curiosity, why isn't this thread in the Great Recordings subforum?

Speculation: Because it's less about the intrinsic merit of individual recordings and more about reporting/discussing opportunities to buy a disc, or the offerings of a particular label, or the stock of a particular retailer, at a bargain price (?)

[Orpheus]

Just picked up this fine box...



http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Johannes-Brahms-Johannes-Brahms-Complete-Edition-DGG/hnum/3537192

Orpheus