Gramophone

[jayne lee wilson]

I think that's a little unfair Throzza - like most newspapers, the G. online is a natural extension of the magazine now, not a discrete thing. 20-odd pages about the 90th anniversary in the print magazine held plenty of interest for me...

It is fascinating just how distinct IRR and Gramophone look now, but what a pity IRR can't afford to put their archive online...

[Thropplenoggin]

I think that's a little unfair Throzza - like most newspapers, the G. online is a natural extension of the magazine now, not a discrete thing. 20-odd pages about the 90th anniversary in the print magazine held plenty of interest for me...

It is fascinating just how distinct IRR and Gramophone look now, but what a pity IRR can't afford to put their archive online...

I beg to differ, JaLeWi. I'd prefer the paid content i.e. magazine to be of equal quality to the free online content, and preferably superior. In this instance, it wasn't. For instance, there's no mention on the developments of the HIP movement or SACD in recording practise. And the article in which conductors, musicians, and composers reel off almost carbon copy statements about why they like to record/like recordings was fatuous in its truisms. It all felt flimsy and facile, there was no depth, no analysis of Great Recordings that are still being played 40, 50, 60 years after they were made. Furtwängler's Beethoven 9th's, say. Or the impact that Carlos Kleiber's has had with only a smattering of recordings. Or anything considering the over-recording of repertoire and the under-recording of so many composers (see Suffolk Coastal's impeccable survey). Or how one composer has been reinterpreted on record during its 90 year history. Or the rise of box sets. Or collectible records...

The only periodical I subscribe to is the TLS, which still feels 'high brow', by which I mean, a heavy-weight intellectual read...the way Gramophone used to be.

[jayne lee wilson]

In fact there are several mentions of key HIPS recordings (Harnoncourt, Hogwood etc.) in the eagle's-eye view across the decades, and a lengthy article about downloads and music streaming services, which are far more significant than SACD (an expensive niche product with little chance of further development) in their relevance to the future of buying and listening to music.

(I'd guess that new classical CDs will end up pressed/burned to order, and downloads will eventually dominate...)

[silvestrione]

It all felt flimsy and facile, there was no depth, no analysis of Great Recordings that are still being played 40, 50, 60 years after they were made. Furtwängler's Beethoven 9th's, say. Or the impact that Carlos Kleiber's has had with only a smattering of recordings. Or anything considering the over-recording of repertoire and the under-recording of so many composers (see Suffolk Coastal's impeccable survey). Or how one composer has been reinterpreted on record during its 90 year history. Or the rise of box sets. Or collectible records...

The only periodical I subscribe to is the TLS, which still feels 'high brow', by which I mean, a heavy-weight intellectual read...the way Gramophone used to be.

Gosh, I'd certainly like to read all those! Iagree about the TLS too...I wonder for how much longer it'll be there, though.

[BBMmk2]

Ive bought this month's issue. Yes agreed about a rather skimpy anniversary issue, but otherwise, thenb usual iun depth articles were very good.

[Keraulophone]

An unexpected highlight buried in yet another banal list, 'Hall of Fame 2013', is to be found on p 49 of the June issue.

The main interest on Sir Adrian Boult's Recommended Recording CD could have been the live Elgar 1, but Gramophone has ensured that it lies in Brahms's Symphony no. 5 (ICA Classics).

Mouthwatering or what? I'm so glad that Sir Adrian didn't leave the score on the No 59 bus.

[Parry1912]

An unexpected highlight buried in yet another banal list, 'Hall of Fame 2013', is to be found on p 49 of the June issue.

The main interest on Sir Adrian Boult's Recommended Recording CD could have been the live Elgar 1, but Gramophone has ensured that it lies in Brahms's Symphony no. 5 (ICA Classics).

Mouthwatering or what? I'm so glad that Sir Adrian didn't leave the score on the No 59 bus.

[VodkaDilc]

Gramophone doesn't give up. A very nice lady rang me this afternoon to try to coerce me back. She said a lot of people had moved to Classic FM mag and, since this had folded, they had a great offer for those readers. I sang the praises of IRR and she went away.
I think there could be signs of desperation.

Have other ex-Gramophone subscribers had a similar call?

[MickyD]

Gramophone doesn't give up. A very nice lady rang me this afternoon to try to coerce me back. She said a lot of people had moved to Classic FM mag and, since this had folded, they had a great offer for those readers. I sang the praises of IRR and she went away.
I think there could be signs of desperation.

Have other ex-Gramophone subscribers had a similar call?

Not for the moment, Vodkadilc, although I do live in France and maybe they don't have the budget for overseas calls! All very interesting...so do we presume that those Classic FM mag readers went to BBC Magazine? It would seem the obvious choice. I agree with you, IRR still suits me very nicely.

[Barbirollians]

I have not had a call - as I mentioned elsewhere I bought a copy this month for a train journey . Not impressed - reviews still too short and lots of guff .

I should like to see a lot of the Gramophone reviewers over at IRR - err - of course that would be Gramophone as it used to be . IRR has a few seriously duff reviewers which is a shame as its style and format is ideal and many of its reviewers are excellent .

[VodkaDilc]

. IRR has a few seriously duff reviewers which is a shame as its style and format is ideal and many of its reviewers are excellent .

Email Máire Taylor. She really does listen. (I'd love to know who you think is seriously duff.)

[pastoralguy]

Email Máire Taylor. She really does listen.

I, accidentally, let my IRR subscription lapse and I received a lovely HANDWRITTEN letter saying how sorry they were to lose me as a subscriber! Needless to say, I re-applied on the spot.

[Barbirollians]

Email Máire Taylor. She really does listen. (I'd love to know who you think is seriously duff.)

Well it most certainly isn't either of the two reviewers who are known to be members on here - they are both top notch IMO . Two or three others , however, I cannot abide .

[Sir Velo]

(I'd love to know who you think is seriously duff.)

I suspect the name, Robert Matthew-Walker is among them.

[Parry1912]

I suspect the name, Robert Matthew-Walker is among them.

I enjoy RMW's reviews but one man's meat, etc.

Incidentally the latest email from Europadisc includes the following which may be of interest to any who haven't sampled IRR yet:

"If you are interested in receiving a free copy, all you have to do is email your name and address to barry.irving@recordreview.co.uk, quoting 'free copy' in the subject line. With no obligation, why not give it a go?"