Reference that ranks or compares classical recordings?

brj · « **on:** 30 Apr 2006, 07:26 pm »

Hello everyone...

I'm looking to expand my collection of classical recordings, and thus I'm trying to find a resource which identifies CDs that are both well performed, and well recorded. I'm finding this a bit challenging, as even if you limit yourself to some of the labels traditionally known for quality recordings (Chesky, Reference Recordings, Telarc, Decca, etc.), you are still faced with the task of identifying great performances.

What I'd really like to find is a resource that ranks the recordings of a given piece independently by performance and recording quality, with reviews that would let me evaluate those rankings against my own personal preferences. I thought that I'd previously run across a web site of that nature, but I can't seem to find it at the moment. I also once heard the tail-end of a radio advertisement for a book of similar purpose, but didn't tune in early enough to learn the title or publisher.

Does anyone have a good reference that they could pass along? I'd very much appreciate it - thanks!

brj · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 May 2006, 06:00 pm »

Bump!

No classical fans out there with a ready reference?

Thanks!

woodsyi · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 May 2006, 06:58 pm »

Here is a good link. http://www.classical.net/music/guide/publication.html

Hogg · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 May 2006, 01:28 am »

Try this. I'm a big fan of Gramophone Magazine

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0860249727/ref=pd_lpo_k2a_3_txt/002-1524694-4070467?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Jim

john1970 · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 May 2006, 01:35 am »

Brj,

I've always used the Penguin Guide to CD/DVDs. I have the 2003/4 edition. They usually update the edition on a yearly basis, but I have not purchased many recordings in the last 1-2 years. (I currently own over 300+ classical CDs and hardly consider myself short on music.)

Good luck,

John

ted_b · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 May 2006, 03:05 am »

I was given the Gramaphone Classical Good CD Guide as a Christmas gift last year. It's....ah........um.... a good cd guide.

brj · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 May 2006, 06:09 am »

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, everyone!

After some further reading about the guides mentioned above, it sounds like the "Stevenson Classical Compact Disc Guide" is probably the closest to what I was envisioning. Unfortunately, it also appears to be the most difficult guide to find. In the meantime, I'll see if I can track down the Gramaphone and Penguin guides for a closer look.

No web based resources of comparable usefulness Frankly, a searchable, sortable, web driven database seems like the perfect fit for this type of resource...

Thanks again!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 May 2006, 06:27 am »

brj....Don't know if you have read this post......it was awhile ago. Tyson really knows alot about classical music.

brj · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 May 2006, 05:43 pm »

Lonewolf, I had seen that thread when it was first active, but had forgotten about it. Good catch - thanks!

I tried calling Stevenson Classical in Indianapolis (317-293-4397) to find out where I could purchase their guide, but my cell phone couldn't connect on two different occasions. I hope (oddly enough) that just means my cell service is acting up...

woodsyi · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 May 2006, 06:09 pm »

Brj,

I doubt they man that number. You may have towrite to them with a check.

Tower record classical/jazz room or other local store that handles classical music like Olsson's in my area keep copies of Gramaphone and Penguine guide for customer use. I think I have seen them at Borders (for sale) as well.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 May 2006, 06:19 pm »

I second Gramophone magazine.

brj · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 May 2006, 06:31 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi

I doubt they man that number. You may have to write to them with a check.

Surely they support more modern means of communication and payment... Sheesh, I might as well barter with livestock!

Of course, I have no problem with sending a check, but the issue was really the fact that the recorded message from my cell phone service provider (not Stevenson) was that the number "was being checked for trouble".

I'll take a look at Gramophone as well, although my looking will mostly involve the Net. I have to admit that I've all but given up on most of my local music stores.

charlez · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Jun 2006, 09:38 pm »

Here's a link to the best guide I've seen for classical music CDs, mainly performance but also sound quality:

http://www.backbeatbooks.com/?n=Classical&c=5&p=0879306386&s=21B1F2C7-2B31-9CE1-316B1010B970BDC2

It's a 2002 edition, now a few years old, and a compilation of reviews by a wide variety of very knowledgeable albeit opinionated writers -- with a different author for each composer. The breadth and depth of the book is nothing short of amazing. A reference bargain for classical music lovers.