Big Box Sets

[Roehre]

But i do like this one too, btw (price wise, that is):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Beethoven-Edition-Ludwig-van/dp/B000001GZ3/ref=pd_sim_sbs_m_h__24

[Petrushka]

The ultimate in big box sets at 242 cds or is there a larger one? (Incidentally, I love the £8890.59 plus £1.26 UK delivery!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karajan-Complete-Recordings-Herbert-Von/dp/B00118YMAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372449162&sr=8-1&keywords=B00118YMAE

Stop Press. It is only €3895.37 new at Am.fr!

I have the Karajan 1960s box bought last year and am looking at purchasing the 1970s box later http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karajan-70s-...sim_sbs_m_h__2

I experienced only an acceptable amount of duplication with the 1960s set but the 1970s set is rather different largely because I bought the Symphony Edition in 2008 at a ridiculously low price. However, the earlier box has proved to be one of my best buys, one I turn to time and time again so it's going to very hard to resist getting the follow-up. I need a good win on the horses!

[bluestateprommer]

Just stumbled across this press release for a new Eugene Ormandy big box set from Sony Classical, of Ormandy's old mono Columbia recordings (with scattered guest conductors to fill things out), in a 120 disc (!) set:

https://www.musicalamerica.com/news/newsstory.cfm?archived=0&storyID=47363&categoryID=5

I admit that I don't have plans to get this set, but from scanning the pdf, the covers took me back to my old public library growing up in suburban Philly, which had a number of these albums.

[cloughie]

Just stumbled across this press release for a new Eugene Ormandy big box set from Sony Classical, of Ormandy's old mono Columbia recordings (with scattered guest conductors to fill things out), in a 120 disc (!) set:

https://www.musicalamerica.com/news/newsstory.cfm?archived=0&storyID=47363&categoryID=5

I admit that I don't have plans to get this set, but from scanning the pdf, the covers took me back to my old public library growing up in suburban Philly, which had a number of these albums.

Looks interesting, I guess it won’t be cheap and with the EO recordings on the shelves will not be duplicate free. I do wish that when these monsters are released they would be available as downloads to permit cherry picking gap fills!

[Dave2002]

Looks interesting, I guess it won’t be cheap and with the EO recordings on the shelves will not be duplicate free. I do wish that when these monsters are released they would be available as downloads to permit cherry picking gap fills!

It does look quite interesting. The contents are listed in the book which I think comes with it - https://sm01.app.box.com/s/4jtpcnem0...9n9dacws4iqunt

I think it includes the lovely version of Mendelssohn’s violin concerto with David Oistrakh, though how that now compares with more modern versions I’m not sure. Oistrakh was very good, but performance practices and recording techniques have changed since then. Some of the technical changes - though not necessarily all - will sound better in recordings than those from the period represented in the collection.

[cloughie]

It does look quite interesting. The contents are listed in the book which I think comes with it - https://sm01.app.box.com/s/4jtpcnem0...9n9dacws4iqunt

I think it includes the lovely version of Mendelssohn’s violin concerto with David Oistrakh, though how that now compares with more modern versions I’m not sure. Oistrakh was very good, but performance practices and recording techniques have changed since then. Some of the technical changes - though not necessarily all - will sound better in recordings than those from the period represented in the collection.

Only Columbia/CBS and not really complete there and some strange couplings, presumably from original LPs. I’ll do an EO audit and see what is missing but I don’t see £245 worth there for me.

[Dave2002]

Only Columbia/CBS and not really complete there and some strange couplings, presumably from original LPs. I’ll do an EO audit and see what is missing but I don’t see £245 worth there for me.

I tend to agree, though it might turn up cheaper on some sites. I've not tended to be too interested in mono only sets either, though I think there was good material in one of the Decca mono boxes which might have been reasonable value even at the original price. I would perhaps be interested in a box of some of Ormandy's other work - maybe a mix of the mono plus the later stereo, though I might have many of those recordings already.

[bluestateprommer]

Two reviews of the Ormandy big box set, both from Brit writers, as it happens:

David Allen, NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/18/a...cal-music.html

Rob Cowan, MusicWeb International: http://musicweb-international.com/cl...9439757482.htm

[Bryn]

Two reviews of the Ormandy big box set, both from Brit writers, as it happens:

David Allen, NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/18/a...cal-music.html

Rob Cowan, MusicWeb International: http://musicweb-international.com/cl...9439757482.htm

I note that Rob Cowan makes reference to the high price but says this is mitigated by the pro-rata price. How can this be when amazon.co.uk asserts that it comprises but one disc:

Product Dimensions : 33.2 x 27.5 x 19.7 cm; 6.5 Kilograms
Manufacturer : Sony Music Classical
Original Release Date : 2021
Label : Sony Music Classical
ASIN : B08QRXT715
Number of discs : 1

[Dave2002]

Two reviews of the Ormandy big box set, both from Brit writers, as it happens:

David Allen, NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/18/a...cal-music.html '

Rob Cowan, MusicWeb International: http://musicweb-international.com/cl...9439757482.htm

Rob is more enthusiastic than the American reviewer. Note that one CD (CD 103) may have a flaw and there is a chance to get a replacement. Also note that David Allen does suggest that some of Ormandy’s later recordings (stereo) not included in the box might be more exciting, and that Ormandy did have things to say in works by Sibelius, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Trying to judge an artist by the totality is his or her output may not always be the best or kindest thing to do.

[LMcD]

I note that Rob Cowan makes reference to the high price but says this is mitigated by the pro-rata price. How can this be when amazon.co.uk asserts that it comprises but one disc:

A disc that apparently weighs 6.kg - it must be packed in cement - that's a bit OTT even for Amazon, isn't it?

[Dave2002]

I’m not sure if the current price is a low - but it’s currently £212.83 - so a bit cheaper now than the circa £250 mentioned earlier.
It may, of course revert.

[Dave2002]

I’m not sure if the current price is a low - but it’s currently £212.83 - so a bit cheaper now than the circa £250 mentioned earlier.
It may, of course revert.

Actually the price today has dropped below £200 - now down to £188.08. I had put in an order, but now cancelled that. The item is not in stock anyway, it seems.

[Bryn]

The content of the Ormandy mono discs from the new boxed set are now available via QOBUZ: https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/search?q...nload-25062021

[Dave2002]

The content of the Ormandy mono discs from the new boxed set are now available via QOBUZ: https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/search?q...nload-25062021

Does that work with the subscription model, or only if you buy the downloads? At those prices (over £12 for CD quality downloads - over £14 for a "higher" level) the box set might look like a bargain. Also, does it really make sense to have so-called Hi-Res transcriptions of what in many cases are really quite old mono recordings? Can anyone tell the difference between those and CD quality - or is CD quality deliberately made to sound inferior?

The subscription model - if it works - could be a reasonable way to access the set - but I doubt that individual downloads would be a good way to access a substantial part of the box.