RIP Barry Irving

[MickyD]

Thanks, Zola.

Actually, I think I'd probably be better off subscribing to the French "Diapason", which still has quality reviews and excellent articles.

[richardfinegold]

And so did I, Richard - for delivery to Europe, some £80 up the spout - bad timing on my part! I received no e-mail at all.

It's sad about Barry and the magazine - the question is, can I bring myself to go back to Gramophone? I guess if I want to keep in touch with all the latest releases, there is not much alternative. Is BBC Music Magazine still going?

Same here. I still get Fanfare, bi monthly. I feel less affection for it since they revealed in this month's Editorial that they actually solicit advertising revenue from the Musicians that they cover in the first 300 pages. I understand that print journalism is difficult, and that for a specialized subject it must be more so, but this just pushed my sensibilities a bit far.

[Acavus]

Having only just read of the sad demise of International Record Rreview this morning, I was glad to receive in the post the Spring issue of Classical Recordings Quarterly to soften the blow. I greatly enjoy CRQ, so imagine my horror to read the following in Alan Sanders' Editorial: '... I very much regret that unless something very unexpected happens the issue you are now reading will be the last.'

So a second quality magazine bites the dust. Where will it stop?

[richardfinegold]

Having only just read of the sad demise of International Record Rreview this morning, I was glad to receive in the post the Spring issue of Classical Recordings Quarterly to soften the blow. I greatly enjoy CRQ, so imagine my horror to read the following in Alan Sanders' Editorial: '... I very much regret that unless something very unexpected happens the issue you are now reading will be the last.'

So a second quality magazine bites the dust. Where will it stop?

Oh, crap!

[Barbirollians]

I assume that those running IRR since Mr Irving died if they knew that the magazine was doomed then they would have stopped accepting new subscriptions immediately . Perhaps they thought that alternative sources of funding would be available .

[richardfinegold]

I assume that those running IRR since Mr Irving died if they knew that the magazine was doomed then they would have stopped accepting new subscriptions immediately . Perhaps they thought that alternative sources of funding would be available .

I am not happy about losing the subscription fee, but will give them the benefit of the doubt. No doubt they were getting by on a small margin and needed every penny
I am really distressed to hear about CRQ. I love curling up in an easy chair, reading about reissues, the stories behind many recordings and Artists. I found their reviewers to be concise and very reliable. I used to buy it at Tower Records and when that chain went bankrupt it took me a long time to find it via the Internet.
I am feeling very much like a dinosaur today.

[MickyD]

I assume that those running IRR since Mr Irving died if they knew that the magazine was doomed then they would have stopped accepting new subscriptions immediately . Perhaps they thought that alternative sources of funding would be available .

My thoughts exactly...I subscribed as late as mid-February, by which time I already had the final March magazine. Yet the money was immediately debited, which I do find very underhand. Mind you, that could well have been the creditors at work.

It is all very depressing. I'll be making a trip over to the UK shortly, and I'll pick up copies of Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine to see if I feel like subscribing to either. Last time I looked, nothing really grabbed me.

[Barbirollians]

Mr Irving did not pass away until 19th Feb though Micky and it was clearly unexpected . Just bad luck I suspect for anyone who subscribed recently.

[Alison]

My thoughts exactly...I subscribed as late as mid-February, by which time I already had the final March magazine. Yet the money was immediately debited, which I do find very underhand. Mind you, that could well have been the creditors at work.

It is all very depressing. I'll be making a trip over to the UK shortly, and I'll pick up copies of Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine to see if I feel like subscribing to either. Last time I looked, nothing really grabbed me.

I can more or less rule out the BBC mag for you Micky. 'pap' is a word that comes to mind.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I can more or less rule out the BBC mag for you Micky. 'pap' is a word that comes to mind.

- occasionally worth it for the cover CD only.

[Ferretfancy]

I suppose I will have to return to The Gramophone, since I have now lost IRR and CRQ. I subscribe to BBC MM, but it could do with a big improvement in the range of its reviews.
Sometimes the cover discs are excellent, but I tend to dispose of many others where performance and sound quality are often indifferent. In the last year or so I have been buying less music, simply because I have a very large collection, and I'm re-discovering performances I'd almost forgotten. It's too easy to be seduced by the new.

[MickyD]

Mr Irving did not pass away until 19th Feb though Micky and it was clearly unexpected . Just bad luck I suspect for anyone who subscribed recently.

Point taken, Barbs. Yes, bad luck which I just have to write off.

I had a feeling the BBC mag was not that hot - but can anyone tell me if, each month, they give a complete list of all new releases, such as in IRR or Gramophone? That's one of the features that is really important for me, to remain up to date with what is being released.

[Alison]

Point taken, Barbs. Yes, bad luck which I just have to write off.

I had a feeling the BBC mag was not that hot - but can anyone tell me if, each month, they give a complete list of all new releases, such as in IRR or Gramophone? That's one of the features that is really important for me, to remain up to date with what is being released.

I'm pretty certain BBCMM doesn't do that. Europadisc is an online retailer that will e mail you with a list of new releases each month. Just sign up for their newsletter.

[pastoralguy]

I'd only just re-subscribed to IRR & CRQ.

That's life in the big city...

[MickyD]

I'm pretty certain BBCMM doesn't do that. Europadisc is an online retailer that will e mail you with a list of new releases each month. Just sign up for their newsletter.

Thank you, Alison, that's very helpful...I will do it immediately.