Post by BigC August 3, 2005 (1 of 9)
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I am new to the SACD arena and I am feeling a little confused.
Having read through a number of the threads on the recordings available there are a large number of folk out there who are a lot more knowledgable about classical music than I.
My music taste is wide but I have never really got into classics. I am now looking to expand my taste using the SACD format to get "involved" with classical music which I have never felt able to do with vinyl or CD.
There are a large number of pieces available but I need to tread carefully or I feel I could waste a lot of money and be disapointed.
I have followed some of the threads and picked up some ideas for possible purchases but I have also stumbled across the LSO web site. On this site they have quite a number of SACDs but I have no idea on the general quality (or otherwise) of their productions. I thought a few of their recordings might be a good stepping stone into classics.
Any comments please.
PS A very interesting and informative group of people you all seem to be.
Many thanks.
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Post by seth August 3, 2005 (2 of 9)
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BigC said:
I am new to the SACD arena and I am feeling a little confused.
Having read through a number of the threads on the recordings available there are a large number of folk out there who are a lot more knowledgable about classical music than I.
My music taste is wide but I have never really got into classics. I am now looking to expand my taste using the SACD format to get "involved" with classical music which I have never felt able to do with vinyl or CD.
There are a large number of pieces available but I need to tread carefully or I feel I could waste a lot of money and be disapointed.
I have followed some of the threads and picked up some ideas for possible purchases but I have also stumbled across the LSO web site. On this site they have quite a number of SACDs but I have no idea on the general quality (or otherwise) of their productions. I thought a few of their recordings might be a good stepping stone into classics.
Any comments please.
PS A very interesting and informative group of people you all seem to be.
Many thanks.
If you're trying to figure out what you like, don't spend your money, yet. First start listening to classical music on the radio. It's free. Many public libraries also have recordings you can take home. Once you're getting a better idea of your tastes, instead of plunking down $15 to $20 for a SACD you may only listen to once, buy discs priced at budget ($7). Then once you feel confident about your tastes, hop on the SACD bandwagon.
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seth said:
Then once you feel confident about your tastes, hop on the SACD bandwagon.
If you *really* like something, and it's available on SACD you may as well get it on SACD.
For example if Rachmaninov (either Symphony No.2 or Piano concertos) becomes your favourite cup-of-tea, then the current favoured recordings are BFO/Fischer (Symphony) and Hough/Dallas SO/Litton (Concertos) which are both SACD's.
Completely agree about "educating" yourself from the radio first, libraries/friends second until you are (more) sure what type of music you'd like.
Happy listening...
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Post by brenda August 3, 2005 (4 of 9)
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BigC said:I am new to the SACD arena and I am feeling a little confused....
My music taste is wide but I have never really got into classics.
Colin, I notice you live in Warrington. The Cheshire County Library service which covers Warrington has a good collection of classical cds for loan, from compilations to esoteric operas. The selection in Chester itself is pretty good, anyway. I'm not sure whether Warringotn is a Unitary Council with its own library service oir part of the Cheshire servcie but if the former, they'll still have at least a "starter" selection and you could follow up with Inter Library Loan with the County. My recommendation is that you listen to music on ordinary cds borrowed from Cheshire library, and if you like the music you can be sure you'll like at least the sound even more on SACD. Several libraries in Lancashire, just up the M6 from you, have specialist music library sections in their libraries (i.e. Preston and Burnley) and their music librarians are very, very helpful.
Another thing about UK libraries is that most of them subscribe to both BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone which carry record reviews. Gramophone is perhaps more for the collector than BBCMM, but BBCMM is great for people relatively new to classical music as its writers try and describe the music itself a bit more than in Gramophone and it also features beginner's type articles on composers and their styles.
HMV in Manchester (the big one, not the smaller one) has a good classical section, - the trick is not to buy there but to go in and listen on headphones when ever you're in town. I'm sure it'd be the same in Liverpool.
Also, as you live in the UK, the Proms are on BBC radio 3 and BBC 2 & 4 TV every night at the moment, - a great chance to saturate yourself. In addition to BBC R3, Ireland's Lyric FM is very, very good. I'm not sure of the frequencies, I pick up bopth of them through SKY. If you do have SKY, then a £6 a month subscription to Arts Channel might be worthwhile, but if you dont want to spend that there are often good programs on 202 (Performance) as part of your normal sub, - though sound on that channel is sometimes below par.
Basically, I agree with everyone else who has responded, - don't buy yet, sample freely through libraries and radio and as you come across something you like, use this site (and or BBCMM or G'phone) to seek a recommednation to the best SACD version and then buy.
In my limited experience, I'd leave LSO Live SACDs alone, - there are better recorded bargains out there. If you really want to buy a few discs cheaply, then log on to jpc through this site and pick up some of the Royal Phil discs that have been recommended here (there are a few clunkers) for 4.99 euros, or just £3.30 each (though you need to buy a few at a time to make the postage cheap).
Happy searching, regards, Brenda
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Post by Peter August 3, 2005 (5 of 9)
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If you want to get really involved do try to go to a concert. All good wishes, and good luck.
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Post by tream August 3, 2005 (6 of 9)
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Just a warning for you - collecting classical music is an addicting experience! I started with the Beethoven symphonies (my German teacher spent one class working with us on the translation of the finale of the 9th, then we listend to it the next day - an overwhelming experience when you are 15). Beethoven symphonies led first to Beethoven overtures and concertos, then to Haydn, Mozart and Schubert, then to Schumann and Brahms, etc., more Beethoven (string quartets, etc.).
I also took advantage of the local library, and also read books which talked about various pieces of music. I find it important to have a grasp of musical history (knowing that Haydn influenced Beethoven is important) and also a grasp of musical structure (but don't let that scare you).
Bottom line is that listening to classical music is an expanding and rewarding experience.
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Post by BigC August 4, 2005 (7 of 9)
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I am grateful for all your advice and wishes of success.
I suppose the library is an obvious choice, but it never occurred to me.
"Can't see the wood for the trees!" would be a good phrase for my initial thoughts.
Again obvious is the radio, but I normally only listen to the radio in the car and habit & routine play a big part here.
I think some re-education of my habits is called for and based on the feedback from you all I feel more positive about doing this than 24 hours ago.
Thanks folks, you've done good.
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Post by akiralx August 4, 2005 (8 of 9)
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There's also Gibbs' bookshop in Manchester which has a good selection of secondhand CDs:
Gibbs Bookshop Ltd
10 Charlotte Street
Manchester
M1 4FL
Best wishes
Alex
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Post by Chris August 5, 2005 (9 of 9)
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brenda said:
Colin, I notice you live in Warrington. The Cheshire County Library service which covers Warrington has a good collection of classical cds for loan, from compilations to esoteric operas. The selection in Chester itself is pretty good, anyway. I'm not sure whether Warringotn is a Unitary Council with its own library service oir part of the Cheshire servcie but if the former, they'll still have at least a "starter" selection and you could follow up with Inter Library Loan with the County. My recommendation is that you listen to music on ordinary cds borrowed from Cheshire library, and if you like the music you can be sure you'll like at least the sound even more on SACD. Several libraries in Lancashire, just up the M6 from you, have specialist music library sections in their libraries (i.e. Preston and Burnley) and their music librarians are very, very helpful.
Another thing about UK libraries is that most of them subscribe to both BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone which carry record reviews. Gramophone is perhaps more for the collector than BBCMM, but BBCMM is great for people relatively new to classical music as its writers try and describe the music itself a bit more than in Gramophone and it also features beginner's type articles on composers and their styles.
HMV in Manchester (the big one, not the smaller one) has a good classical section, - the trick is not to buy there but to go in and listen on headphones when ever you're in town. I'm sure it'd be the same in Liverpool.
Also, as you live in the UK, the Proms are on BBC radio 3 and BBC 2 & 4 TV every night at the moment, - a great chance to saturate yourself. In addition to BBC R3, Ireland's Lyric FM is very, very good. I'm not sure of the frequencies, I pick up bopth of them through SKY. If you do have SKY, then a £6 a month subscription to Arts Channel might be worthwhile, but if you dont want to spend that there are often good programs on 202 (Performance) as part of your normal sub, - though sound on that channel is sometimes below par.
Basically, I agree with everyone else who has responded, - don't buy yet, sample freely through libraries and radio and as you come across something you like, use this site (and or BBCMM or G'phone) to seek a recommednation to the best SACD version and then buy.
In my limited experience, I'd leave LSO Live SACDs alone, - there are better recorded bargains out there. If you really want to buy a few discs cheaply, then log on to jpc through this site and pick up some of the Royal Phil discs that have been recommended here (there are a few clunkers) for 4.99 euros, or just £3.30 each (though you need to buy a few at a time to make the postage cheap).
Happy searching, regards, Brenda
I beg to differ regarding the LSO Live SACDs.
If you can accept the less than perfect acoustics of the Barbican.
Most of their releases are absolutely stunning with very realistic sound!!!
Rostropowich's Schostakowich releases so far are fantastic and the Sibelius disc under Colin Davis is also very good as is Dvorak's 6th. And don't miss the only opera release so far, Verdi's Falstaff,to mention some very good SACDs from this very exciting label.
All the best Chris
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