BBC Music vs Gramophone

[Daverz]

Yes, among English-speaking review mags, Fanfare is as good as it gets - many more reviews than either BBC or Gramophone and much more detail as well.  Also, unlike American Record Guide, there's no bias against period instrument performances.  Further, the subscription gives you a wealth of reviews and other material on their website.

It should be mentioned that while the editor of ARG doesn't like HIP, he's smart enough to have some good HIP reviewers on staff.  I subscribe to both periodicals.

[Daverz]

I was searching last week for a magazine on classical music. I'm considering to subsribe to Fanfare magazine, though the ideal magazine for me would be with sports, quality news articles (background stuff) and classical music. Wouldn't that be good? Unfortunately such a magazine doesn't exist. Must be a market for it for it to be a international magazine...

Henk

Well, Fanfare does have the letters section (sort of like watching contact sports), a section of fluffy promotional articles,  and the Bollywood column.  The front part of ARG with classical music news and live music reviews is basically an abbreviated version of the old Musical America (they merged back in the 90s).

[Bulldog]

It should be mentioned that while the editor of ARG doesn't like HIP, he's smart enough to have some good HIP reviewers on staff.  I subscribe to both periodicals.

I subscribe to both also.  But I feel that the anti-hip attitude isn't limited to Vroon.  Too often, I read a review that essentially states that the performance is excellent even though period instruments are used.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I subscribe to both also.  But I feel that the anti-hip attitude isn't limited to Vroon.  Too often, I read a review that essentially states that the performance is excellent even though period instruments are used.

Yes, one or two reviewers in Fanfare are guilty of trivializing HIP as well.

Curiously, Gramophone doesn't seem to suffer from this (nor the British mags in general).

[Solitary Wanderer]

I'm enjoying my new subscription of BBC Music alot. I've received two issues thus far.

It's an easy read but there's lots of very interesting articles, reviews and information packed in there 

[ChamberNut]

So far, after looking at both the Gramophone and BBC Music magazines, I much prefer the style and format of the BBC Music magazine.  I probably won't get a subscription, but this will be the one I turn to when I feel the urge to go spend $10 on a magazine. 

[Bulldog]

Yes, one or two reviewers in Fanfare are guilty of trivializing HIP as well.

Curiously, Gramophone doesn't seem to suffer from this (nor the British mags in general).

I've noticed that also.  The Brits evidently never felt threatened by the HIP movement.

[Franco]

I subscribe to both also.  But I feel that the anti-hip attitude isn't limited to Vroon.  Too often, I read a review that essentially states that the performance is excellent even though period instruments are used.

I suscribed to ARG for welll over a decade but eventually dropped it because of Donald Vroon's heavy handed and opinionated style.   What is ironic is that in general I share his tastes, but just had read one too many of his screeds against HIP or popular music.  

[Grazioso]

I've noticed that also.  The Brits evidently never felt threatened by the HIP movement.

But vide the Penguin guide, edited by major Brit critics and (former?) regular Gramophone contributors. My '02 edition is filled with digs against the HIP movement.

[Moonfish]

This thread has been dead for a while (perhaps for a good reason).  Has Gramophone or BBC Music improved over the last few years? Is it even worthwhile to read either of these magazines?  I can see the attraction of the BBC monthly cd...   [CDCDCD syndrome]   

Would you recommend either or something completely different for a person that is immersing himself in classical music? It seems as if there is plenty to read or talk about as is.....   Thoughts?

[North Star]

My father subscribes to The Strad, but it's not a general purpose magazine as its focus is string instruments - players, orchestras, luthiers, teaching, reviews (of concerts CDs, DVDs/Blu-rays, and books - and some of them are available for free on their website), and the instruments themselves.
Plenty of interviews and lots of features of early-to-mid-20th century soloists in particular.

[DavidW]

I subscribe to Listen Magazine.  I enjoy it.  It's not really about cd reviews, but about the music world as a whole.

[Moonfish]

My father subscribes to The Strad, but it's not a general purpose magazine as its focus is string instruments - players, orchestras, luthiers, teaching, reviews (of concerts CDs, DVDs/Blu-rays, and books - and some of them are available for free on their website), and the instruments themselves.
Plenty of interviews and lots of features of early-to-mid-20th century soloists in particular.

Thanks North Star! That does sound like an interesting magazine, but perhaps a bit specialized unless one is completely into string instruments. I definitely need to take a look at that - is it carried by major magazine retailers or is this something I need a university library for? Hmm, I will check it out. The coverage of the soloists that you mentioned interests me greatly.

[Moonfish]

I subscribe to Listen Magazine.  I enjoy it.  It's not really about cd reviews, but about the music world as a whole.

David,
I cannot believe I was unaware of this magazine *bonk*.  I checked out its website and it comes across as a low key and interesting survey type of magazine. Very affordable too with $20 for two years of issues.  Two years of Listen - here I come.......
Thanks for pointing me in that direction. What is your view of BBC Music?

http://www.listenmusicmag.com/

[Daverz]

I recently resubscribed to Fanfare (web only subscription for $40).  I let both my Fanfare and ARG subscriptions lapse a couple years ago (too bulky).  Yes, Bayley is still a nitwit, and Dubins is still prissy.  Also, the practice of assigning some discs to 3 or 4 reviewers drives me nuts.  OK, having two opinions is interesting, but 3 or 4 is just excessive and takes up space that could be devoted to different discs.

However, it's the perfect light reading for the listening chair, and I get introduced to lots of music and recordings I wouldn't know about otherwise.

[DavidW]

David,
I cannot believe I was unaware of this magazine *bonk*.  I checked out its website and it comes across as a low key and interesting survey type of magazine. Very affordable too with $20 for two years of issues.  Two years of Listen - here I come.......
Thanks for pointing me in that direction. What is your view of BBC Music?

http://www.listenmusicmag.com/

Especially how funny how easy it was for both of us to nearly miss out, when Jens writes for the magazine.  He is pretty low key about it.  I've never read BBC Music. 

[vandermolen]

Apparently in its golden age Gramophone was great, but I've only read it and BBC Music in the last two years, and if anything I would say Gramophone is on a slightly lower level in terms of dumbed-downness and gimmicky articles. With the BBC Music cover CD you get complete works, which I think is a distinct advantage.

Agree with this.