Gramophone

[Parry1912]

I subscribed to Gramophone for about 20 years and gave up 5 years ago.

I'm sure a lot of forum members could post in a similar vein, sadly.

[JFLL]

As I recall, that [structured searching] was exactly what the now defunct Gramofile allowed?

Exactly, Don. As I recall, the point was made by many users on the Gramophone forum at the time of Gramofile's demise. As so often with 'improvements' in websites, users have lost essential functionality in the interests of a prettier interface. Style over substance. I suspect that the problem is that software is designed by people with no experience of or interest in the subject matter of the website, and the client, through lack of technical knowledge or confidence in insisting on what he or she wants, is bamboozled into accepting something that looks pretty. I know from experience in choosing systems software that the designers are often convinced they know better than the client what their customers would like!

[Barbirollians]

There are few clearer illustrations of the decline of Gramophone than comparing some of the reviews with IRR. The recent Arthur Benjamin concerto record on Dutton for example . AA given one short column Calum Macdonald two long columns and very fascinating his review is too .

[hafod]

I know from experience in choosing systems software that the designers are often convinced they know better than the client what their customers would like!

T'was ever thus - many management consultants in my experience were just the same.

[Andrew Slater]

According to this, the Gramophone's circulation is slightly higher than the claimed figure on The Overgrown Path. (It doesn't carry a date, though.)

[french frank]

According to this, the Gramophone's circulation is slightly higher than the claimed figure on The Overgrown Path. (It doesn't carry a date, though.)

The figure of 26,291 is given as the figure for end Dec 2011 http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/1117...CMP=ILC-SEARCH

And Gramophone itself appears to accept this figure http://www.haymarket.com/gramophone/...e/default.aspx

[Barbirollians]

Perhaps better signs in this month's issue which I came across in WH Smith today . A number of articles on new music including on Birtwistle and a collection piece on Brahms 3 by Richard Osborne - and much less celebrity guff . Many of the reviews are still short though and surely is it not about time they let someone but Seckerson review a Mahler 2

[VodkaDilc]

Perhaps better signs in this month's issue which I came across in WH Smith today . A number of articles on new music including on Birtwistle and a collection piece on Brahms 3 by Richard Osborne - and much less celebrity guff . Many of the reviews are still short though and surely is it not about time they let someone but Seckerson review a Mahler 2

Wot's wrong with Ed?

[Barbirollians]

I know what he thinks and what he likes and I agree with him entirely that Jurowski's performance is marvellous but it is interesting to read other reviewers on this piece- David Gutman for example

[Alison]

There are few clearer illustrations of the decline of Gramophone than comparing some of the reviews with IRR. The recent Arthur Benjamin concerto record on Dutton for example . AA given one short column Calum Macdonald two long columns and very fascinating his review is too .

Yes, a very good observation. Mind you, I have always found AA's reviews rather perfunctory regardless of length.

[Panjandrum]

I note that the new editor, rather in the manner of members of the royal family, is signing his editorial as "Martin". I hope that this does not imply a regal indifference to the opinions of his readership.

[amateur51]

I note that the new editor, rather in the manner of members of the royal family, is signing his editorial as "Martin". I hope that this does not imply a regal indifference to the opinions of his readership.

I think James Inverne, his predecessor, did much the same thing

Not signing editorial as "Martin", you understand ...

[Panjandrum]

I think James Inverne, his predecessor, did much the same thing

Not signing editorial as "Martin", you understand ...

True. Shows how long it's been since I read the magazine on a regular basis. I am encouraged, though, by one or two of the recent features (e.g. Jeremy Dibble's conspectus on Delius in February etc). IMO, less of the soundbite journalism, and more of the at length reviews by the leading musicologists and critics through which the magazine made its reputation, would be good. In respect of the latter, I read one review (on the archive) from the 70s in which the writer bemoaned the fact that, as a reissue, he had been limited to a meagre 250 words.

[Parry1912]

I saw an Inspector Morse the other night where he was reading a copy of Gramophone. I couldn't help thinking that now he'd be reading IRR.

[Barbirollians]

Has Gramophone decided to take over from Classic FM magazine in issuing free golden oldie recordings on its cover?

I saw an issue today in W H Smith with a naff reference to a Gramophone Hall fo fame - a concept straight from Classic FM but found myself buying it as there is a free CD on the cover of Karajan and the Philharmonia in Beethoven 5 and Brahms 2 .

Both excellent performances and what an orchestra the original Philharmonia was ! Dennis Brain's horn solos in the Brahms are magical.

I assume it is a one-off , If not I may well start buying it again regularly.