Bargains

[Dave2002]

There are still a few in the Chandos sale that I didn't pick up, but wondered about. For example, do I really want/need yet another set of Vaughan Williams symphonies? Not sure - though Bryden Thomson's set gets good reviews.

I found the web site a bit tricky, though when I discoved the drop down menu for Deleted CDs, I found in some categories some seemingly decent recordings at low prices. OTOH it's also possible that they are in the Deleted category for a reason! I took a punt on a couple.

Note that there are some boxes which may be good value - for example complete Dvorak symphonies. The individual CDs are in the sale too, but would surely come to more if all were bought. There is also a Nielsen box which I think may be worth having.

I think there are other boxes if one digs around, and some are probably available in slightly different packaging and significantly higher prices from sites such as Amazon UK.

[cloughie]

There are still a few in the Chandos sale that I didn't pick up, but wondered about. For example, do I really want/need yet another set of Vaughan Williams symphonies? Not sure - though Bryden Thomson's set gets good reviews.

I found the web site a bit tricky, though when I discoved the drop down menu for Deleted CDs, I found in some categories some seemingly decent recordings at low prices. OTOH it's also possible that they are in the Deleted category for a reason! I took a punt on a couple.

Note that there are some boxes which may be good value - for example complete Dvorak symphonies. The individual CDs are in the sale too, but would surely come to more if all were bought. There is also a Nielsen box which I think may be worth having.

I think there are other boxes if one digs around, and some are probably available in slightly different packaging and significantly higher prices from sites such as Amazon UK.

Yes two good sets - with Dvorak I always ask do I want 1&2, but if the set price is right then no real incnvenience. Top marks to Chandos for a quick, efficient no fuss service!

[Bryn]

Re the Chandos sale, I had a bit of a frustrating time trying to order Prokofiev's Eugene Onegin (Opera in English) as then listed at £5 under "Orchestral and Concertos" Each time I tried, it was shown as "False" at the checkout. Eventually, I gave up and tried streaming from QOBUZ. Though shown as being available for "Unlimited streaming" to those with a subscription, this is not actually the case. 4 'tracks' are only provided as 30-second excerpts. However, this morning, it occurred to me to have a look on eBay. There was one listed as in "Good" condition (£3 with free p&p) and another at £3.50, again with free p&p but in "Very Good" condition. I opted for the latter. Though I would have preferred to have it in Russian, Ted Downes conducting was enough to seal the deal.

[LMcD]

Re the Chandos sale, I had a bit of a frustrating time trying to order Prokofiev's Eugene Onegin (Opera in English) as then listed at £5 under "Orchestral and Concertos" Each time I tried, it was shown as "False" at the checkout. Eventually, I gave up and tried streaming from QOBUZ. Though shown as being available for "Unlimited streaming" to those with a subscription, this is not actually the case. 4 'tracks' are only provided as 30-second excerpts. However, this morning, it occurred to me to have a look on eBay. There was one listed as in "Good" condition (£3 with free p&p) and another at £3.50, again with free p&p but in "Very Good" condition. I opted for the latter. Though I would have preferred to have it in Russian, Ted Downes conducting was enough to seal the deal.

Strange! I ordered a Summer Sale CD from Chandos (last of the big-time spenders, that's me) and it arrived the following morning.

[Bryn]

Strange! I ordered a Summer Sale CD from Chandos (last of the big-time spenders, that's me) and it arrived the following morning.

Oh, an earlier order, as previously reported, went very smoothly. It's the "False" and the listing of an Opera in English in the wrong category that threw me.

[Dave2002]

Oh, an earlier order, as previously reported, went very smoothly. It's the "False" and the listing of an Opera in English in the wrong category that threw me.

I need to check my box, and also see if I still want to put in another order. In my order I was prompted to choose a free sampler CD, and when I put that in my online basket the word "False" came up. Maybe not the same set of circumstances though - could be a programming error in the listing code.

[Parry1912]

Re the Chandos sale, I had a bit of a frustrating time trying to order Prokofiev's Eugene Onegin (Opera in English) as then listed at £5 under "Orchestral and Concertos" Each time I tried, it was shown as "False" at the checkout.

I had the same issue but the catalogue number was correct so I ordered anyway. It arrived with the rest of my order the next day.

[Bryn]

I had the same issue but the catalogue number was correct so I ordered anyway. It arrived with the rest of my order the next day.

My £3.50 (including p&p) "Very Good" condition Prokofiev Eugene Onegin arrived today and lived up to the description in every respect. I had not grasped just how big a part Sir Ted had played in its restoration. Having West, father and son, in leading roles is just the icing on the cake, and no annoying singing to get in the way of the text.

[Dave2002]

I went back to Chandos and bought the Bryden Thomson Vaughan Williams symphonies set, and the Edmund Rubbra set - both for £20 - total £44.99. I was surprised that the package was slim enough to be pushed through our letterbox. Very quick delivery - maybe 36 hours max, since ordered at around 10pm on Wednesday.

I'm not sure that I like Rubbra's music at all, but I felt it was worth giving it one more shot. I do like the VW symphonies, and have several versions already. In both cases the CD boxes worked out cheaper than the equivalent downloads.

[Pulcinella]

I went back to Chandos and bought the Bryden Thomson Vaughan Williams symphonies set, and the Edmund Rubbra set - both for £20 - total £44.99. I was surprised that the package was slim enough to be pushed through our letterbox. Very quick delivery - maybe 36 hours max, since ordered at around 10pm on Wednesday.

I'm not sure that I like Rubbra's music at all, but I felt it was worth giving it one more shot. I do like the VW symphonies, and have several versions already. In both cases the CD boxes worked out cheaper than the equivalent downloads.

Good for you.
I've mentioned several times that I was at the premiere of the eighth symphony, in Liverpool, on 5 January 1971; perhaps for that reason it's my favourite of his symphonies, but it's closely followed by numbers 6 and 4.
A bargain indeed at £20 (especially when I consider what I paid for all the individual CDs as they got released).
I think that the fillers got combined and reissued too, to complement the symphony set.

PS: Yes they did:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rubbra-Sinfonia-Concertante-Tribute-Morning/dp/B001MV4UVQ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=rubbra+morning+watch&qid=1601041261&sr=8-2

[Dave2002]

Here is the relevant link to the Chandos bargain - https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%209944 - which I'm happy to share now that mine has been delivered. Click on the CD option and the price goes down to £20.

There are other Rubbra offerings on the Chandos site too, though I can't see more at bargain prices.

I shouldn't keep looking though, as I find more that I missed. Mmmmm.

[Barbirollians]

Good Presto Warner sale - Beatrice Rana and Vilde Frang CDs very cheap in particular .

[Dave2002]

Good Presto Warner sale - Beatrice Rana and Vilde Frang CDs very cheap in particular .

Maybe some of the Supraphon issues could be of interest too, such as these - https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...ings-1957-1965

I've no idea if these are any good, but they might be.

[Barbirollians]

Maybe some of the Supraphon issues could be of interest too, such as these - https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...ings-1957-1965

I've no idea if these are any good, but they might be.

It is a terrific set .

[Dave2002]

I suspected it might be. There are other Supraphon offerings also on that site. I didn't spot any that really stood out, though I know there's some really good material in the Supraphon catalogue. I have quite a number on LPs, but whether it's now worth buying the CDs I'm not sure. Perhaps it is.

There are also some LSO Live recordings - some which I probably don't have already. This Haydn set might be good value - https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...92-93-97-98-99