Classical magazine subscriptions

[Karafan]

I am wrestling with the idea of subscribing to the IRR and wondered how many people have been 'forced' to subscribe because they can no longer find a copy on any newsagent's shelf? I prefer to check out an issue and then buy it if I find it has articles or reviews in it of interest to me. But I simply cannot find IRR in any shops these days, even Gramophone is only rarely sighted. Of course, if my interests lay in the field of vacuous, talent-bereft so called 'celebrities' I would be spoiled for choice.

Anyway, getting back to my question - do these who subscribe feel IRR is more hit than miss for them and is good value? I'd be pleased to hear opinions, especially from those who 'converted' from Gramophone.

Cheers

Karafan

[VodkaDilc]

I still buy each issue from a shop and I haven't missed one yet. They had distribution problems a couple of months ago, but the situation was eventually resolved. Like Karafan, I prefer to buy one, rather than have it delivered. The demise of Borders, always a reliable source of IRR, was a blow, but Blackwell's in Oxford stock them too. If there are problems with supplies, I would recommend contacting Barry Irving via the IRR website. I believe that the IRR people keep an eye on this forum too. (I wonder if IRR might consider having a list of stockists on their website.)

Regarding the value of IRR, I would refer Karafan to my previous enthusiastic ravings on this forum over recent months. It is far superior to anything else available today.

[Barbirollians]

I agree . IRR only for me nowadays - I stopped Gramophone earlier this year after 25 years of subscribing from my student days.

[Ferretfancy]

I had been reading The Gramophone since the 1950s, but let my subscription run out last year, and I don't miss it. I've also subscribed to IRR for a number of years, and it continues to be the best British publication, mercifully free from all those promotional puffs that are so tedious.

[MickyD]

I've been extolling the virtues of IRR ever since I converted from Gramophone last December. I am obliged to subscribe to it, being based in France, but I think I would buy every copy anyway as I like to keep abreast of all the new releases, and IRR gives details of those very well. As has already been said, it is blissfully free of advertising and silly promotional bits that pad out a magazine. In short, I'm still very satisfied.

[Don Petter]

Like Ferret, I had been reading The Gramophone since the 1950s, but subscribed to the breakaway IRR from the first issue, and dropped The Gramophone soon afterwards. A move I have never regretted.

[Karafan]

Hmm.. beginning to look like a consensus there, playmates! Thanks.

[martin_opera]

You don't need to look much further than the current retrospective on Verdi's Don Carlo(s) in the IRR which in terms of its depth, sense and comprehensiveness puts the recent three page flit through Mozart's le Nozze Di Figaro in Gramophone to shame.