Bargains

[visualnickmos]

The term "bargain bucket" already presupposes something most likely to be not worth considering, but here are so many different types of bargain box, a huge number of which don't match that description. I am quite choosy but still own lots of them which have given me huge pleasure. A few from my collection come to mind: Hyperion Schubert complete songs, EMI Composers in Person, Wagner's Vision - historic Bayreuth performances. Most recently, the Brilliant Classics Eisler and Dessau editions - both exciting voyages of discovery.

My description was merely a throw-away, tongue-in-cheek use of a euphemism!

I too, own quite a few, and - yes - they are wonderful value. Very often they contain many rarities, as well as the 'big guns' (another euphemism, I'm afraid - just in case! ) Two that come to mind are the EMI box sets of Oistrakh, and the 'complete' EMI recordings of Rostropovich.....

But I have now stopped considering these, for the reason that more often than not, they contain too many duplicates to make them a true bargain.

[vinteuil]

... 20 euros for six Mozart operas (14 CDs) with some interesting 'historical' (but not HIPP... ) performances -

Fricsay in the Entfuhrung and Zauberflote; Bohm in Cosi; Rosbaud in Figaro; Mitropoulos in Don Giovanni; Pritchard in Idomeneo...

http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00WFCKOD4

[HighlandDougie]

Diapason has also issued this set

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00TA21NVO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=A1X6FK5RDHNB96&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=1YMQQ9ES27CCNN0QEWZ1&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577191267&pf_rd_i=desktop

I've subscribed to it for a number of years and, if the quality of the transfers of the Mozart Operas and the Beethoven Symphonies is as good as with the monthly CD (usually of a performance which the editor(s) thinks is beyond reproach - normally with good reason), they should be a good buy. When I'm about to moan about some irritating fact of la vie française, I just have have to remind myself of the existence of magazines like Diapason and services like Qobuz.

[antongould]

Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms - Choral Music 1972-1976 (Karajan Official Remastered Edition) 5CD : £5.79 new in AmUk marketplace.
I was astounded by the improvement in the sound quality compared with the transfers in the large EMI Karajan vocal box (especially the German Requiem) - and at this price......
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JX4IDFS/

Only listened to the Missa Solemnis so far and IMVVHO it's stunning ..........

[MickyD]

Diapason has also issued this set

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00TA21NVO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=A1X6FK5RDHNB96&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=1YMQQ9ES27CCNN0QEWZ1&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577191267&pf_rd_i=desktop

I've subscribed to it for a number of years and, if the quality of the transfers of the Mozart Operas and the Beethoven Symphonies is as good as with the monthly CD (usually of a performance which the editor(s) thinks is beyond reproach - normally with good reason), they should be a good buy. When I'm about to moan about some irritating fact of la vie française, I just have have to remind myself of the existence of magazines like Diapason and services like Qobuz.

Yes indeed, Dougie...I bought a copy of Diapason just recently and I note that they are offering a very good subscription deal, under 50 euros for a year's worth of the mag and the CDs. I think I'll sign up.

[HighlandDougie]

I note that they are offering a very good subscription deal, under 50 euros for a year's worth of the mag and the CDs. I think I'll sign up.

It has been well worth it in my experience - and you can pay quarterly which helps spread the pain.

Back on bargains, I see that there are going to be at least two new Warner Icon sets in September:

http://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B010RQBBIQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A11IL2PNWYJU7H&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0M0E2Y2G1VR7J051XDN5&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577208427&pf_rd_i=desktop

and

http://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B010RQBBJA/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=A11IL2PNWYJU7H&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0M0E2Y2G1VR7J051XDN5&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577208427&pf_rd_i=desktop

No doubt the prices will come down in due course

[Conchis]

[QUOTE=HighlandDougie;499526]It has been well worth it in my experience - and you can pay quarterly which helps spread the pain.

Back on bargains, I see that there are going to be at least two new Warner Icon sets in September:

http://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B010RQBBIQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A11IL2PNWYJU7H&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0M0E2Y2G1VR7J051XDN5&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577208427&pf_rd_i=desktop

Those do look tasty. Good to see the Martinon one respects the provenance of the original recordings.

I do wish Warner would lay off putting its logo on these EMI boxes: I was very pleased, upon receiving the Delius and Oistrakh boxes recently, that the copies I'd been sent must have pre-dated the takeover.

[hafod]

Back on bargains, I see that there are going to be at least two new Warner Icon sets in September:

http://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B010RQBBIQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A11IL2PNWYJU7H&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0M0E2Y2G1VR7J051XDN5&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577208427&pf_rd_i=desktop

and

http://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B010RQBBJA/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=A11IL2PNWYJU7H&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0M0E2Y2G1VR7J051XDN5&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577208427&pf_rd_i=desktop

No doubt the prices will come down in due course

Thanks for picking up on these. Presto has contents lists.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/futurereleases.php?composer=&work=&performer=markevitch&medium=all&label=&cat=

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/futurereleases.php?composer=&work=&performer=martinon&medium=all&label=&cat=

For me the Martinon appears the more attractive - I had thought that it might duplicate the Ravel/Debussy EMI box as these date from 1973/74 and the box is marked 1968-75. However, they are not included. Perhaps the clue is in the title 'Complete Erato and HMV recordings'? But maybe not.

[Bryn]

The Decca Wiener Philharmoniker box is currently 67.45 Euros on Amazon Italy. This makes the total cost £52.63, including delivery to the UK, compared to £75 on Amazon UK (goods only).

http://www.amazon.it/Wiener-Philharmoniker-Edition/dp/B00M8PBQT4/ref=pd_sim_15_79?ie=UTF8&refRID=18Q6RN5K2DP3EC78396V

I couldn't resist snapping up a set (even though I had promised myself not to buy any more mammoth boxes).

Mine arrived a few minutes ago. Funny the way it gets dispatched from within the UK (Royal Mail, with the Dunfermline return address) yet they do not bother to edit or translate the address label. The country is still given as "ROYAUME UNI". A fair few duplicates (and indeed triplicates) in there, but not enough to much diminish its bargain status. Very pretty, if somewhat impractical box design.

[Dave2002]

Mine arrived a few minutes ago. Funny the way it gets dispatched from within the UK (Royal Mail, with the Dunfermline return address) yet they do not bother to edit or translate the address label. The country is still given as "ROYAUME UNI". A fair few duplicates (and indeed triplicates) in there, but not enough to much diminish its bargain status. Very pretty, if somewhat impractical box design.

I had the Pires piano set a few days ago, ordered from am.it. It arrived almost before I'd hit the buy button! I suspect it was sent from within the UK.

They've not got the drones operating yet!

[johnb]

Very pretty, if somewhat impractical box design.

Agreed.

[vinteuil]

The Decca Wiener Philharmoniker box is currently 67.45 Euros on Amazon Italy. This makes the total cost £52.63, including delivery to the UK, compared to £75 on Amazon UK (goods only).

http://www.amazon.it/Wiener-Philharmoniker-Edition/dp/B00M8PBQT4/ref=pd_sim_15_79?ie=UTF8&refRID=18Q6RN5K2DP3EC78396V

I couldn't resist snapping up a set (even though I had promised myself not to buy any more mammoth boxes).

... sadly now up to 116 euro on amaz it

[hafod]

Brilliant Classics Tchaikovsky Edition (55 cd): £28.47 (worth that for the operas alone but not quite the £14 a couple of 2 years or so ago but a bargain nonetheless).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FP45TT8/

[cloughie]

Warner (EMI) Ozawa box on Amazon.it looks good for around £28 for 25 CDs.

[hafod]

Gilels: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas / Eroica Variations 9cd - DG; £13.75 - a steal!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000012YO