Switching recordings in a middle of a piece...do you do it?

[Scarpia]

No!

[Brian]

Apparently in 2008 I said yes. Now the answer is no.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Yes... With the Magnard 4th. There are two excellent performances of this terrific work, one by Ossonce on Hyperion, one by Sanderling on BIS. Ossonce is impetuous and colorful, Sanderling precise and determined. I prefer Sanderling's approach in the first three movements, but Ossonce is IMO unattainable in the final movement, which has an air of heroism and despair which is utterly breath-taking.

[PaulSC]

I don't do this except by listening to Joyce Hatto.

(Kidding, my collection is hatto-free.)

[Xenophanes]

Never! 

What . . . never?

Well, hardly ever! 

That would be if I were comparing recordings movement by movement, auditioning speakers, or something like that.  Generally, no.

[Daverz]

If I'm really disgusted or unmoved by a recording, I might try another recording of that work, but I'll probably start from the beginning again.

However, I see nothing wrong with the practice, I just wouldn't do it myself because it breaks up the "narrative arc" of a performance.

[Brian]

Apparently in 2008 I said yes. Now the answer is no.

Oh wait! My Colin Davis / LSO Live / Sibelius 3 audio files are damaged, so somehow the finale plays reaaallyy quietly. So I have to switch to someone else's finale or put my ears next to the speakers.