Bargains

[Dave2002]

I just searched the CD section for Grumiaux.

Like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...&condition=new for 10 CDs.

Not sure whether the Documents transfers are good - but at these prices they could be good enough.

The Art of the Violin set (Regis) is only 7 CDs - I think missing the Bach - and is sometimes available very cheaply - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...n=new&qid=&sr= (but not right now ...)

[Conchis]

Like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...&condition=new

Not sure whether the Documents transfers are good - but at these prices they could be good enough.

The Art of the Violin set is only 7CDs - I think missing the Bach - and is sometimes available very cheaply - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...n=new&qid=&sr= (but not right now ...)

I think Documents is the Membran label, trading under another name.

I've always felt their transfers are OK - the ones on the recent Rudolf Schock box were excellent, imo - though the quality will necessarily depend on the source and some of their sources are radio broadcasts. I can't say I've ever felt dissatisfied with their releases.

[Bryn]

I think Documents is the Membran label, trading under another name.

I've always felt their transfers are OK - the ones on the recent Rudolf Schock box were excellent, imo - though the quality will necessarily depend on the source and some of their sources are radio broadcasts. I can't say I've ever felt dissatisfied with their releases.

I have the recordings of the Beethoven Sonatas in the Brilliant Classics Complete Beethoven box, (licensed from Decca, so unlikely to be questionable transfers from LP pressings). Some of the other items are tempting but I will seek out versions from the original master tapes, I think.

[jpegasus]

I have the recordings of the Beethoven Sonatas in the Brilliant Classics Complete Beethoven box, (licensed from Decca, so unlikely to be questionable transfers from LP pressings). Some of the other items are tempting but I will seek out versions from the original master tapes, I think.

This Decca Grumiaux box has just appeared:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4828399

No remastering info though.

[Dave2002]

This Decca Grumiaux box has just appeared:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4828399

No remastering info though.

Looks good, though does anyone know if there is really any advantage in having some of the (presumably) older mono recordings over some of his later stereo ones?

There is a wider selection of pieces in this collection, which may make it attractive to some, but there are a number of "standards" - though with conductors and orchestras less well known nowadays. Who is this aimed at? [to pick up a question posed about another box set recently ....]

Plus of course - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...words=Grumiaux

[Conchis]

Did anyone else pick up the Art of Hermann Scherchen box, recently?

There is virtually NO pause between the movements of the Beethoven symphonies. In fact, on some discs, there's no pause between different symphonies! Never come across this before...

[mathias broucek]

Some terrific download deals on Qobuz


Krivine's complete Beethoven symphonies for less than £5 and Minkowski's Schubert and Haydn boxes at similarly silly money.

On the front page there's a % reduction offer. Click that, go to the 50% off section and filter for classical (sorry, can't paste link on this device)

[Bryn]

Some terrific download deals on Qobuz


Krivine's complete Beethoven symphonies for less than £5 and Minkowski's Schubert and Haydn boxes at similarly silly money.

On the front page there's a % reduction offer. Click that, go to the 50% off section and filter for classical (sorry, can't paste link on this device)

All 9 volumes of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas played by PB-S on period instruments are there too, at €4 each volume.

[Thropplenoggin]

This search brought up some interesting forthcoming box sets: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...2Ck%3Abox+sets

e.g. Maria Callas: The Live Recordings - 2017 Edition (42CD & 3Blu-ray) £86.91

Rattle's Complete Mahler - £20

Ashkenazy Piano & Chamber - £97

etc.

[MickyD]

Oh yes, I saw the new Callas box, too. I am still only two thirds of the way through the studio recordings box, just never seem to have the time. I don't think I will bother with the live recordings, how about anyone else?

[Dave2002]

This search brought up some interesting forthcoming box sets: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...2Ck%3Abox+sets

e.g. Maria Callas: The Live Recordings - 2017 Edition (42CD & 3Blu-ray) £86.91

Rattle's Complete Mahler - £20

Ashkenazy Piano & Chamber - £97

etc.

The rather expensive Bernstein box - available November - lists some, but not all, items as remastered. I think I've already got some/many of those recordings - but does remastering from that source (usually CBS) generally improve things? When Sony were releasing SACDs some were held to be very good, indicating that the masters were good and could deliver good quality for commercial releases.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonard-Bernstein-Remastered/dp/B072M4GVVB/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1502222272&sr=1-5&keywords=box+sets

Weren't some of these also in other (cheapish?) boxes recently? I have the Symphonies box - didn't get round to the others.

[teamsaint]

The rather expensive Bernstein box - available November - lists some, but not all, items as remastered. I think I've already got some/many of those recordings - but does remastering from that source (usually CBS) generally improve things? When Sony were releasing SACDs some were held to be very good, indicating that the masters were good and could deliver good quality for commercial releases.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonard-Bernstein-Remastered/dp/B072M4GVVB/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1502222272&sr=1-5&keywords=box+sets

Weren't some of these also in other (cheapish?) boxes recently? I have the Symphonies box - didn't get round to the others.

The Concertos and orchestral works box ( presumably un- remastered ) is still available on Amazon .It for about £65 delivered to the UK. Might be a good option if you have the symphonies box.
Or buy the remastered box, and I'll give you a few bob for the symphonies box, which I don't have ....

[Stanley Stewart]

Eager to acquire a 9CD set, Fritz Busch at Glyndebourne; Figaro, Don Giovanni. Cosi fan Tutte, and Idomeneo, available from the river people at £15 04! I've misplaced several of the cherished sets over the years and always long for them when I revisit two biographies; Moran Caplat's, Dinghies to Divas, Collins, 1985 & Fifty Years of Glyndebourne, John Julius Norwich, Jonathan Cape, 1985. So many personalities including John Christie, Rudolph Bing, Beecham, Gui, Birgit Nilsson, Audrey Christie, Hugues Cuenod, George Solti, Carl Ebert etc.

[Bryn]

Eager to acquire a 9CD set, Fritz Busch at Glyndebourne; Figaro, Don Giovanni. Cosi fan Tutte, and Idomeneo, available from the river people at £15 04! I've misplaced several of the cherished sets over the years and always long for them when I revisit two biographies; Moran Caplat's, Dinghies to Divas, Collins, 1985 & Fifty Years of Glyndebourne, John Julius Norwich, Jonathan Cape, 1985. So many personalities including John Christie, Rudolph Bing, Beecham, Gui, Birgit Nilsson, Audrey Christie, Hugues Cuenod, George Solti, Carl Ebert etc.

At that price I was expecting it to be a Membran job, but it's Warner. Duly ordered.

[Stanley Stewart]

At that price I was expecting it to be a Membran job, but it's Warner. Duly ordered.

Thanks, Bryn. My set arrived, yesterday, after a stint of gardening, a skull-tinkling
moment as I savoured the choice. Fritz Busch is featured on each disc sleeve with a change of colour to indicate the name of the composer in the heading and an imprint of the the maestro on the bottom right-hand side. The 28 page booklet has liner notes by Tilly Potter together with a catalogue of immigrants who subsequently enrichened a new age for the arts in this country. Bless 'em all!

I couldn't wait and instantly played Act I of Figaro, rec 1934/35 and splendidly remastered to reveal the energy of the performances; names such as Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender, (Figaro), Audrey Mildmay, (Susanna), Roy Henderson, (Count), Aulikki Rautawaara,, Countess - the mix of the ensemble for me 'the personification of absolute perfection'!
I'm no techie and can only respond to Rumour's entreaty, "Open your ears...", Act I,
Henry IV, Pt II. And Sena Jurinacs' Ilia, (Idomeneo) awaits me on CD 9 - doubt whether I can wait that long. Doubt, too, that I'll get anything better this year. A steal at £15+.