Classical Music Publications: Does Anyone Subscribe?

[Nick Armstrong]

We want the finest music available to humanity and we want it on Radio 3 now!

Caliban, ignore the ads and promos - April Gramophone is rather good actually (I take IRR as well...), with that aforesaid Brahms 3rd survey and meaty features on Birtwistle, John Adams and others. There's a definite attempt at raccrochement with a great past; but the reviews need lengthening and deepening, with far more comparisons offered. But give Martin Cullingford a chance, he's having a go.

Ok jlw, will persevere this weekend!

[L'enfer]

My copy of International Record Review arrived this morning. I was quite surprised after all the enthusiastic comments about the magazine I was afraid it would turn out to be rather underwhelming or at least a slightly duller than it's contemporaries. However it delivered serious content while still managing to stay aesthetically pleasing. I think I will subscribe thank you all for your comments. Sadly I could not find copies of either the BBCMM or Gramophone in the shops, I shall endvour to find copies when I visit London next week.

[Nick Armstrong]

My copy of International Record Review arrived this morning. I was quite surprised after all the enthusiastic comments about the magazine I was afraid it would turn out to be rather underwhelming or at least a slightly duller than it's contemporaries. However it delivered serious content while still managing to stay aesthetically pleasing. I think I will subscribe thank you all for your comments. Sadly I could not find copies of either the BBCMM or Gramophone in the shops, I shall endvour to find copies when I visit London next week.

Gramophone has become quite difficult to find, as it doesn't tend to be in every newsagent. You have to go to a larger WH Smith, at a railway station for instance. BBCMM seems more available.

It will be interesting to read your comparative review!

[amateur51]

I don't think you need fear that on the AA thread!! Disrepute lurks at every turn!

If only it did no more than lurk, Calibs - tis positively blatant at every turn

[amateur51]

My copy of International Record Review arrived this morning. I was quite surprised after all the enthusiastic comments about the magazine I was afraid it would turn out to be rather underwhelming or at least a slightly duller than it's contemporaries. However it delivered serious content while still managing to stay aesthetically pleasing. I think I will subscribe thank you all for your comments. Sadly I could not find copies of either the BBCMM or Gramophone in the shops, I shall endvour to find copies when I visit London next week.

I'm pleased to hear that you've taken the plunge, L'enfer. I'm a slow reader and it takes me all my time to stay within two editions of IRR. Not that it's a problem, but it can be quite dense

I hope that you enjoy it.

The one publication that no-one has mentioned on this thread but which has its devotees is the American publication Fanfare, a real beast amongst magazines about classical music recordings.

http://www.fanfaremag.com/

It isn't cheap, tho' not expensive either, and you may need to undertake a course in speed-reading and have your letter box reinforced pending its arrival

[Ferretfancy]

I subscribe to Fanfare, and always find it interesting, but a bit too bulky to read in bed! The reviews are good, and the knives are out rather more frequently between contributors and readers than they are in British publications. I quite like seeing the sparks fly, but find the lengthy interviews with often obscure musicians a bit tedious, but then America is a huge place. The smaller labels seem to be flourishing in the States, judging by the advertising, all in all Fanfare is a worthwhile quarterly.

[AmpH]

On this thread of musical publications, there is of course ' The Strad ' which is of a rather more specialist nature as its name suggests but nevertheless can be very good if string music / instruments and related matters are of particular interest. I have also noticed on occaison in the Foyles ( London ) classical department a magazine called ' Musical Opinion ' ( they also have a website ). Does anyone have any experience of this publication which advertises itself as ' Britain's oldest classical music magazine ' ?

On the subject of Gramophone / IRR I subscribe to neither but would agree with the general thrust of comments on this forum regarding the greater scope and depth of IRR's reviews. Regarding BBCMM I make a purchasing decision on the basis of whether or not I want the CD.

I would also concur with the comments of jlw elsewhere on this thread regarding Gramophone which I find myself purchasing quite often when there is sufficient quality content to interest me - in the last year or so there have been worthy articles on Beecham, Bartock, Delius and Schubert's final year. Rob Cowans ' Replay ' section of reissues / archive recordings has frequently caused me to add to my groaning CD shelves and the collection feature on a particular work is often of interest more for its alternative recommendations rather than the main recommendation itself I find. So, IMHO , worth a monthly perusal if you can as often still worth a punt at least on an ad hoc basis. For my part I am helped by the fact that my local library takes Gramophone and Classic FM magazines each month - in view of the imminent demise of the latter I am attempting to persuade them to take IRR instead - nothing ventured nothing gained ! However knowing my luck they will probably turn round and say they are taking neither due to public spending cuts !

Happy Reading.

[Pipisme]

I subscribe to BBC Music Magazine.

[umslopogaas]

One point I forgot to make about 'Gramophone': dont expect to make any money from the resale of back numbers. There is sometimes a market for old magazines, but not 'Gramophone'. I had a nearly complete forty year run clogging up the garage, but finally realised I never referred back to them and I needed the space, so I offered them for £17 in a small ad in the back of the current issue. This was effectively free, buyer collects: the seventeen quid was to cover the cost of the ad. I didnt get a single bite, so I'm afraid they went in the recycling skip.