The Super-Duper Cheap Bargains Thread

[Mirror Image]

Bernstein's 1980's DG recordings of the Mahler Symphonies are the ones I've heard people raving about in the audiophile community as some of the best ever recorded. Original LP pressings in sealed or NM condition of these sell for unusually high amounts whenever I see them come on ebay, which isn't that often. These are the ones I want. $37 to me is well within reason for such a nice set from a major label.

Then I think you've already made your choice. I say go for it. Personally, I would rather put the money into a set that already has the orchestral song cycles, because by the time you add in the prices to buy these recordings individually, you could have just bought this 1998 set for $68, which is what it will cost right now with shipping from Amazon UK. But, hey, it's not my money we're talking about here.

[Chris L.]

Then I think you've already made your choice. I say go for it. Personally, I would rather put the money into a set that already has the orchestral song cycles, because by the time you add in the prices to buy these recordings individually, you could have just bought this 1998 set for $68, which is what it will cost right now with shipping from Amazon UK. But, hey, it's not my money we're talking about here.

I wonder why the price is so drastically different in the US? $114 vs. $68!  Oh well... I'll think about it then.

[Mirror Image]

I wonder why the price is so drastically different in the US? $114 vs. $68!  Oh well... I'll think about it then.

I'm not really sure, Christopher. It seems the Amazons in Europe have sales like this a lot. Perhaps they're trying to make some quick sales to get rid of some inventory? Well, whatever their reasoning may be, I love being on the receiving end of these deals.

[North Star]

Yes, you are correct, this is the older set. The newer one contains the same complete symphonies as recorded by Bernstein for DG, minus anything else. From an experienced collectors standpoint, yours is the more desirable of the two. From a budget minded standpoint who is not very familiar with Mahler (me), the newer set makes more sense. I've heard about how good these recordings are both sonically and interpretively and I want to get them. I don't have any Mahler at all. I can always pick up his non-symphonic music on single discs or other sets later on if I decide I want to explore further.

You might consider this one, too. Barbirolli, Walter, Klemperer, Tennstedt, Furtwängler, Giulini, Szell, Fischer-Dieskau, Schwarzkopf, Ludwig, Baker among the artists. 

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[ubertrout]

You might consider this one, too. Barbirolli, Walter, Klemperer, Tennstedt, Furtwängler, Giulini, Szell, Fischer-Dieskau, Schwarzkopf, Ludwig, Baker among the artists. 

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The EMI/Warner set is the box to have as your initial exposure to Mahler.  Both of Bernstein's cycles are variable, and I tend to prefer to 60s version both in terms of sound and interpretation, with exceptions.

If you want Bernstein, you should consider the Carnegie Hall Presents box for the 60s cycle.  It includes Das Lied von der Erde and the arrangement of the symphonies on disc is much more sensible.

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[Pat B]

Yes, you are correct, this is the older set. The newer one contains the same complete symphonies as recorded by Bernstein for DG, minus anything else. From an experienced collectors standpoint, yours is the more desirable of the two. From a budget minded standpoint who is not very familiar with Mahler (me), the newer set makes more sense. I've heard about how good these recordings are both sonically and interpretively and I want to get them. I don't have any Mahler at all. I can always pick up his non-symphonic music on single discs or other sets later on if I decide I want to explore further.

If you ask 10 different people how to get into Mahler, you are likely to get 10 different answers. (FWIW, my exploration was piecemeal, but that's likely to cost more than $37. My budget recommendation is Bernstein's first cycle.)

The Bernstein/DG set is generally regarded as unconventional. From it I've heard 1, 4, and 5. 4 is the most controversial due to the boy soloist, but to me it's more different than bad. If you're inclined towards this set, I say go for it. Especially if the alternative is delay.

Regardless of which recordings you buy, I suggest going in order, and taking your time. Feel free to pop into the Mahler thread, too!

[Chris L.]

If you ask 10 different people how to get into Mahler, you are likely to get 10 different answers. (FWIW, my exploration was piecemeal, but that's likely to cost more than $37. My budget recommendation is Bernstein's first cycle.)

The Bernstein/DG set is generally regarded as unconventional. From it I've heard 1, 4, and 5. 4 is the most controversial due to the boy soloist, but to me it's more different than bad. If you're inclined towards this set, I say go for it. Especially if the alternative is delay.

Regardless of which recordings you buy, I suggest going in order, and taking your time. Feel free to pop into the Mahler thread, too!

Sym. #4 was not written for a boy soloist? That's doesn't bother me, as I love children's choirs and choral music in general. It doesn't ruffle my feathers much if there isn't always some chocolatey-syrup voiced adult female singing everything. I like variety. I have nothing else to reference it against anyhow since I have no Mahler to speak of. The DG recordings are supposedly some of the most sonically spectacular out there and everyone seems to love Bernstein's Mahler's interpretations. There's some interesting options given here by other members so I'll have to ponder this.

[Mirror Image]

Sym. #4 was not written for a boy soloist? That's doesn't bother me, as I love children's choirs and choral music in general. It doesn't ruffle my feathers much if there isn't always some chocolatey-syrup voiced adult female singing everything. I like variety. I have nothing else to reference it against anyhow since I have no Mahler to speak of. The DG recordings are supposedly some of the most sonically spectacular out there and everyone seems to love Bernstein's Mahler's interpretations. There's some interesting options given here by other members so I'll have to ponder this.

(Psss...get the Complete Symphonies & Orchestral Songs DG box)

[The new erato]

The 10 CD Victoria set on Archiv is half price on europadisc.

[kishnevi]

.
Finally, a third option. DG between these two sets issued a series that included all the Bernstein Mahler in three smaller sets.  Here is the one with Hampson

You may find that series a good fit.
Finally, remember Amazon Marketplace pricing is well below Amazon's official price.The songs are essential, as important as the symphonies.  You will need them.

FWIW, this discussion prompted me to get the two companion boxes, Mahler I and Mahler III,  to the one I have.  Total was slightly under $40US. This despite having the 11 disc set.  But now I will have the Wunderhorn and Wayfarer song cycles, which I did not have before, and everything properly spaced out on CDs.

[Novi]

Hello there! Haven't posted or logged in for ages, but thought those who haven't already got this might be interested:

Richter Sony Box from uk amazon seller for £14.50.

[ritter]

amazon.it continues to offer boxed sets at cut-rate prices:

amazon.it boxed sets

I finally went for the Kubelik "Symphony Edition" (complete cycles of Beethoven, Schumann, Dvořák and Mahler), which I had been contemplating for a while, and could not resist at this price (less than 50 € shipped to Spain)..

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P.S.: The complete Messiaen box on DG is being sold at less than 45 €!

[Mookalafalas]

Amazon.It has a LOT of great bargains, especially as the euro is so cheap right now. I am sorely tempted, but as my goal is to reduce my total number of CDs rather than increase them, I'll try to hold out

  The Green Sony Beethoven box is now 37.9 Euros.
   The SEON box is 110 Euros.
  The Westminster Legacy (DG edition) is 50 something Euros
  The DG Beethoven box is about 55 Euros. 

[springrite]

Amazon.It has a LOT of great bargains, especially as the euro is so cheap right now. I am sorely tempted, but as my goal is to reduce my total number of CDs rather than increase them, I'll try to hold out

Does it help or hinder your ability to hold out by announcing it?

[Brian]

Hello there! Haven't posted or logged in for ages, but thought those who haven't already got this might be interested:

Richter Sony Box from uk amazon seller for £14.50.

We've missed you! Don't log back out!

[Mookalafalas]

Does it help or hinder your ability to hold out by announcing it?

  Doesn't seem to hurt, as I ended up not buying anything.  (I was saved by the ridiculously high shipping fees.)

[Moonfish]

  Doesn't seem to hurt, as I ended up not buying anything.  (I was saved by the ridiculously high shipping fees.)

Yes, Amazon.it are infamous for their S&H...     

[Jo498]

I am again tempted by the Westminster box but I will resist at least for a while (problem is that I already have most of the stuff in that box that is most important to me, even if it is just a handful of the 40 discs, namely Scherchen's Mahler, Beethoven and Mozart Requiem)

[Mirror Image]

I am again tempted by the Westminster box but I will resist at least for a while (problem is that I already have most of the stuff in that box that is most important to me, even if it is just a handful of the 40 discs, namely Scherchen's Mahler, Beethoven and Mozart Requiem)

Resist, you must resist. If you own 99% of the box set already (i. e. the recordings you previously bought), then wouldn't you agree that it wouldn't make much sense to be buying so many duplicates just in order to own that 1%?

(Special note: I'm in the middle of writing a book titled: CDCDCD No More: Your Guide To Conquering This Costly Disorder)

[springrite]

  Doesn't seem to hurt, as I ended up not buying anything.  (I was saved by the ridiculously high shipping fees.)

So you were going to buy it!