EMI: The Collector's Editions

[Don Giovanni]

I have recently seen a review of the three different box sets issued under "The Collector's Edition": Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert. The only two that interest me at the moment are the Beethoven and Mozart ones.

I was wondering: does anyone have either of the two boxes, the Mozart or Beethoven? If so, would they mind telling me a bit about the quality of some of the performances. I understand that with such a large box as this (50 CDs), one cannot expect all the performances to be outstanding but, nevertheless, I think this sort of thing would be useful for me to cover practically all of Beethoven's works.

Any opinions?

[George]

I have recently seen a review of the three different box sets issued under "The Collector's Edition": Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert. The only two that interest me at the moment are the Beethoven and Mozart ones.

I was wondering: does anyone have either of the two boxes, the Mozart or Beethoven? If so, would they mind telling me a bit about the quality of some of the performances. I understand that with such a large box as this (50 CDs), one cannot expect all the performances to be outstanding but, nevertheless, I think this sort of thing would be useful for me to cover practically all of Beethoven's works.

Any opinions?

Do you have a link to the list of performers?

[Harry]

I have recently seen a review of the three different box sets issued under "The Collector's Edition": Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert. The only two that interest me at the moment are the Beethoven and Mozart ones.

I was wondering: does anyone have either of the two boxes, the Mozart or Beethoven? If so, would they mind telling me a bit about the quality of some of the performances. I understand that with such a large box as this (50 CDs), one cannot expect all the performances to be outstanding but, nevertheless, I think this sort of thing would be useful for me to cover practically all of Beethoven's works.

Any opinions?

I posted this a while ago, and from what I remember the line up was most of it good to very good.
For the money its a steal in my opinion, but lately there have been more collectors items around for less and better.

[Shrunk]

Here's a fairly complete review of the Beethoven box:

http://tinyurl.com/2um7he

Interesting that the majors are now getting into the super-budget megabox game that used to be the province of companies like Brilliant Classics.

[dtwilbanks]

Here's a fairly complete review of the Beethoven box:

http://tinyurl.com/2um7he

Interesting that the majors are now getting into the super-budget megabox game that used to be the province of companies like Brilliant Classics.

They have learned a lesson it seems.

[Harry]

Here's a fairly complete review of the Beethoven box:

http://tinyurl.com/2um7he

Interesting that the majors are now getting into the super-budget megabox game that used to be the province of companies like Brilliant Classics.

They found out, that there is serious money to be made I guess.

[Shrunk]

They found out, that there is serious money to be made I guess.

...or maybe they're just trying to squeeze a few last dollars out before the recordings go into the public domain .

[George]

I have recently seen a review of the three different box sets issued under "The Collector's Edition": Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert. The only two that interest me at the moment are the Beethoven and Mozart ones.

I was wondering: does anyone have either of the two boxes, the Mozart or Beethoven? If so, would they mind telling me a bit about the quality of some of the performances. I understand that with such a large box as this (50 CDs), one cannot expect all the performances to be outstanding but, nevertheless, I think this sort of thing would be useful for me to cover practically all of Beethoven's works.

Any opinions?

I recommend that you pass on this. My experience with collecting is that it is best to get the best possible performance the first time, otherwise you end up spending more money replacing cheaper CD's with inferior performances.

If you still feel the need to go the budget route, there are a few separate budget boxes that I consider top shelf: Gulda on Brilliant for the sonatas and Karajan's '63 set of the symphonies. Nearly at the same level is Juilliard's budget set on Sony of the SQ and Barenboim/Du Pre/Zuckerman's Trios/Cello Sonatas and Violin Sonatas on EMI. From there, you could fill in the gaps without much effort. 

[Todd]

A thread covering this, the similar Schubert box, and the the similar Mozart box came up before.  Only the Beethoven holds interest for me, for the Heidsieck PS cycle, Ferras / Barbizet Violin Sonata cycle, and the Hungarian Quartet SQ cycle.  Since I have those already, I have no need for the box.  If those interest you, and you don't have them, the box may not be a bad idea. 

[PerfectWagnerite]

Did they really call it "The Collector's Edition"? Shouldn't it be named "The Neophyte Edition" or "The People Filing Chapter 7 or 11 Edition"? It is hard to imagine any serious collector who don't have better recordings of any of the works presented in that box. For my money I'd go for a similar box from Arte Nova which at least features more modern sound.

[Harry]

...or maybe they're just trying to squeeze a few last dollars out before the recordings go into the public domain .

Could be too!

[Todd]

For my money I'd go for a similar box from Arte Nova which at least features more modern sound.

Who plays the works I mentioned, and how do they compare with Heidsieck, Ferras / Barbizet, and the Hungarian Quartet? 

[Harry]

I recommend that you pass on this. My experience with collecting is that it is best to get the best possible performance the first time, otherwise you end up spending more money replacing cheaper CD's with inferior performances.

If you still feel the need to go the budget route, there are a few separate budget boxes that I consider top shelf: Gulda on Brilliant for the sonatas and Karajan's '63 set of the symphonies. Nearly at the same level is Juilliard's budget set on Sony of the SQ and Barenboim/Du Pre/Zuckerman's Trios/Cello Sonatas and Violin Sonatas on EMI. From there, you could fill in the gaps without much effort. 

True, George, but then this is a good entry for beginners with little money, to find out what they like, and for those that have little money, but still want to have lots of music.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Who plays the works I mentioned, and how do they compare with Heidsieck, Ferras / Barbizet, and the Hungarian Quartet? 

I have to look it up, but off the top of my head it has Zinman/Tonhalle in the symphonies, and the Alexander Quartet (I know, not everybody's favorite) in the SQ.

[Harry]

I have to look it up, but off the top of my head it has Zinman/Tonhalle in the symphonies, and the Alexander Quartet (I know, not everybody's favorite) in the SQ.

I do not know how this set compares with others, but seen from a beginners point of view, this Arte Nova box is a good bargain, and most if not all performances are good. I gave it as a gift to a friend of mine, and she is very satisfied with it, even the SQ.

[PerfectWagnerite]

If you REALLY want to go crazy there is even this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Beethoven-Complete-Works-748-works-on-87-CDs-new_W0QQitemZ110126498379QQihZ001QQcategoryZ307QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

which claims to have the COMPLETE works of Ludwig.

[Don]

I do not know how this set compares with others, but seen from a beginners point of view, this Arte Nova box is a good bargain, and most if not all performances are good. I gave it as a gift to a friend of mine, and she is very satisfied with it, even the SQ.

I don't find anything deficient with the Alexander Quartet's performances.  I gave the 9-cd set to my son as a gift, and we both have enjoyed it.

[Harry]

If you REALLY want to go crazy there is even this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Beethoven-Complete-Works-748-works-on-87-CDs-new_W0QQitemZ110126498379QQihZ001QQcategoryZ307QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

which claims to have the COMPLETE works of Ludwig.

That for sure are not first rate ensembles, I would not pay one farthing for this box.

[Harry]

I don't find anything deficient with the Alexander Quartet's performances.  I gave the 9-cd set to my son as a gift, and we both have enjoyed it.

Hey Don hold your horses, I think them good also, otherwise I would never have given that as a present, and ruin my propects.

[PerfectWagnerite]

That for sure are not first rate ensembles, I would not pay one farthing for this box.

Hahah ! Neither would I ! But you never know, there are plenty of Brilliant Classics and CPO recordings with ensembles you almost never hear about that are quite good. So you never know.