Boxed Set Dilemma

[Petrushka]

I suppose it's one we've all faced a few times already: Do I buy the fairly cheap newly issued boxed set of discs I already have as single CDs in order to create extra shelf space by disposing of the originals? Or do I save my money and keep the originals and miss out on a nice box and put up with the overcrowding?

The ones I have in mind at the moment are the Karajan VPO 1946-1949 set on Warner (I have all but the last two discs here) and the Karl Böhm Symphonies set on DG (I have all but some of the Mozart). Both look handsome sets and buying them (and others) would release lots of shelf space once the individual CDs are gone.

How are you good Forumites solving this dilemma?

[MickyD]

Not very good at all, Petrushka! I have a dilemma of my own at the moment...Decca have released a 50 CD box of Oiseau Lyre recordings...as an avid collector of many years, I have all of them but for ONE disc which was never previously released on CD. Eager though I am, I really can't justify spending 80 quid simply for one disc!

[Barbirollians]

That is not a dilemma I have faced I will keep my old CDs . The one I am struggling with is buying all these cheap boxed sets and having no idea when I will find the time to listen to them and considering buying one's like the Annie Fischer where I have many but not all of the recordings.

[Petrushka]

Not very good at all, Petrushka! I have a dilemma of my own at the moment...Decca have released a 50 CD box of Oiseau Lyre recordings...as an avid collector of many years, I have all of them but for ONE disc which was never previously released on CD. Eager though I am, I really can't justify spending 80 quid simply for one disc!

Ouch! That's cruel.

[teamsaint]

Not very good at all, Petrushka! I have a dilemma of my own at the moment...Decca have released a 50 CD box of Oiseau Lyre recordings...as an avid collector of many years, I have all of them but for ONE disc which was never previously released on CD. Eager though I am, I really can't justify spending 80 quid simply for one disc!

presumably you could raise a respectable chunk of the £80 by selling /trading the originals.

Edit: but yes, Pet is right, that is tough. Hardly a marketing ploy at all.................

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

That's even worse than buying a 50 CD for a recording of Eine Alpensinfonie I couldn't buy ajy othe way. At least I had the opportunity of hearing lots of new music.

[slarty]

I just bought the first three Karajan Warner boxes and am very happy with the quality of the boxes, sleeves and individual sleeve notes. The big bonus in the Philharmonia Beethoven box is a never before released stereo version of the Ninth symphony, which was recorded in tandem with the mono(released version).
As to the general question of releasing shelf space, I agree with getting the newer slimmer boxes as long as there is no skimping on the quality of the product and especially when a remastering is offered as well.
I will be investing in the Giulini London Years box, particularly to get a great many more of the Legge Philharmonia recordings all in one box.
Individual CDs don't have the same feel as their equivalent LPs did, so I am not sentimental in holding onto them.
I like the new boxes and another I will be buying as soon as it is released is the Kubelik Symphonies box on DG.

[Petrushka]

I just bought the first three Karajan Warner boxes and am very happy with the quality of the boxes, sleeves and individual sleeve notes. The big bonus in the Philharmonia Beethoven box is a never before released stereo version of the Ninth symphony, which was recorded in tandem with the mono(released version).
As to the general question of releasing shelf space, I agree with getting the newer slimmer boxes as long as there is no skimping on the quality of the product and especially when a remastering is offered as well.
I will be investing in the Giulini London Years box, particularly to get a great many more of the Legge Philharmonia recordings all in one box.
Individual CDs don't have the same feel as their equivalent LPs did, so I am not sentimental in holding onto them.
I like the new boxes and another I will be buying as soon as it is released is the Kubelik Symphonies box on DG.

It's a worse dilemma than I thought. I have the previous issue of the Philharmonia Beethoven set but a stereo 9th is news to me and is a powerful incentive. I think I'll take the plunge with the Karajan VPO box and the Giulini London Years is already on order (I have very few of those). The Böhm box looks highly desirable at a fantastic price.

Had no idea about the Kubelik box. Presumably that will contain his multi-orchestra Beethoven cycle, which I've never heard, though I already have his Mahler and Schumann cycles.

Oh dear!