Are you collecting any series' of recordings?

[Mark]

I know that many like to collect recordings ad hoc, based on reviews and their own auditions. But just as many like collecting complete series' of recordings - and I'm one of them.

For the past two or three years now, I've been back-collecting the BBC Music Magazine cover CDs, which some of you here will know (and with which some of you here have generously helped ). I've still got to track down close to 60 or 70 remaining discs, but I'm enjoying the hunt through charity shops and online stores, and the thrill of finding a new disc. And of course, I'm a subscriber to the magazine, so everything from Vol. 13 is already safely in my collection.

Why do I do it? I'm a completist, I suppose. At least, that was the initial rationale. But since beginning my search for every CD that ever featured on the cover of BBC Music Magazine, I've discovered not only a wealth of great recordings that were hitherto hidden in the BBC archives, but also been introduced to new works, and heard interpretations to rival some of my previous favourites.

So, what about you? Are there any series' which you're avidly collecting or have completed? Why did you start? Why do you continue? How do the recordings you've collected stack up against ad hoc discs you've acquired?

[Que]

Mark, I don't think purple is the right coulor for you!

I don't collect series as such, because I don't want any duds. And I'm not a "completist".
But I more or less buy most issues of Opus 111's Vivaldi Edition because of their excellence.

Q

[The new erato]

Currently only the Gardiner Bach Cantata series.

[Heather Harrison]

I don't usually collect series in classical music, but often I like to have all of the major works of a particular composer.  For example, I have been collecting DVDs of Puccini's operas, and I am getting close to having at least one performance of each one.  (They are all available.)  In other styles of music, sometimes there is an artist who I like enough that I want everything that I can get.  Lately, I have been buying Anita O'Day's Verve albums, and I have a feeling that I may end up going after all of them.  This might include some expensive original LPs since not all of them have been reissued on CD.  I might also get into Miles Davis to this degree, and he made a lot of recordings, so that could be a bit of a challenge.  Just his Columbia catalog is massive.  There are a few opera singers who I like well enough that I tend to buy whatever I find, and that could evolve into the desire to have everything.  Mirella Freni is an example of this; when I see that she is in an opera recording, I am apt to buy it.  However, she recorded so much that it would be extremely difficult to find everything.

Heather

[prémont]

No, I don´t collect series as such (if you mean the complete CPO catalogue like Harry). But I collect series of recordings by the same artist very often: Gustav Leonhardt, Glen Wilson, La Reverdie, Ensemble Organum to name some examples.

[George]

Anything by Richter, any Chopin Preludes or Nocturnes.

[beclemund]

Currently only the Gardiner Bach Cantata series.

Same here, however, I have fallen quite a bit behind. I do intend to purchase them all eventually though.

[dtwilbanks]

Not really collecting. More like *thinking* about collecting...

Minnesota Orchestra Beethoven symphonies
Philips pianists (Brendel, Uchida, Arrau...) I seem drawn to them for some odd reason.
Reiner recordings

[Tancata]

The Gardiner and Kuijken Bach cantata series. I think they complement each other very well. But even combined they're not a huge commitment - only 6 or 7 releases a year.

I guess I collect Robert King's recordings on Hyperion but it's a slow process (I have a few years to catch up now, I suppose...)

[MishaK]

I don't collect any series, primarily because most series tend to include reissues of stuff that I already have, so the duplication defeats the purpose.

[Don]

I guess I collect Robert King's recordings on Hyperion but it's a slow process (I have a few years to catch up now, I suppose...)

King will also have a few years to catch up while in prison.

[Don]

Currently only the Gardiner Bach Cantata series.

I'm collecting the Gardiner series also as well as the Suzuki.  I'm hesitant to get a disc from the Kuijken series, given that money doesn't grow on trees.

I also get every version I can find of the Goldberg Variations and Well Tempered Clavier.  Same for the Mozart Great Mass in C minor, many of Schumann's solo piano works, the Chopin Preludes, Mahler symphonies (except for the 1st), Shostakovich symphonies, Bruckner symphonies.

However, I don't like to buy large boxes - gives me anxiety.

[Kullervo]

Nørgård symphonies on Chandos, Vänskä's complete Sibelius on BIS.

[Drasko]

Wouldn't mind having complete Melodiya/BMG Musica non Grata and Decca's Entartete Musik series but both are oop. Generally don't collect any series.

[marvinbrown]

  Yes, DG's opera DVDs.  Why? because 9 out of 10 times the opera productions are simply superb. They carry the MET-Levine collaborations and a handfull of GREAT opera movies- Strauss' Elektra and Salome.  They might not always have the best singers but visually they are very appealing.

  marvin

[Solitary Wanderer]

I'm seriously considering collecting the entire Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto series.

So far I have three titles

[Mark]

I'm seriously considering collecting the entire Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto series.

So far I have three titles

Me, too. I have only two of these, both Litolff. I have the first in their Romantic Violin Concerto series, and wouldn't mind collecting all of those, as well.

[71 dB]

Suzuki Bach Cantata series... ...26 discs so far. 

[Mark]

Suzuki Bach Cantata series... ...26 discs so far. 

Anyone know how these compare with Gardiner's series?

[Solitary Wanderer]

Me, too. I have only two of these, both Litolff. I have the first in their Romantic Violin Concerto series, and wouldn't mind collecting all of those, as well.

Yes, the three I have are all excellent. Piano concertos are my fave concertos and music from the Romantic era in particular whisks me away to a simpler, more idealistic, more in touch with nature and the arts time...

...thus those Romantic Piano Concertos touch me