- Paperback: 1664 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; Revised edition edition (7 Oct 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140513795
- ISBN-13: 978-0140513790
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.7 x 6.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,061,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
Widely regarded as the standard guide to classical music on CD, The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs has been updated to take into account the many hundreds of new and reissued CDs that have appeared in the last three years while also including all the highlights from the back catalog. Arranged by composer, the guide lists the major recordings of each work -- from remastered vintage recordings to the latest releases, from the highest-quality offerings to budget releases -- with evaluations of interpretation and performance by the authors, as well as assessments of recording accuracy and advice on the best buys for cost and quality. This edition includes coverage of new recording enterprises, such as Philip's "100 Great Pianists" series, CDs issued to tie in with particular musical anniversaries, entries for several significant but previously little-known composers, and detailed coverage of period-instrument performances. With the best of the previous guide now reevaluated in the light of newer releases, this essential reference work is designed to help you select the very best of recorded classical music available today.
About the Author
Ivan March is a well-known lecturer, journalist and writer in the world of recorded music. He lives in London, SW6. Edward Greenfield was for forty years on the staff of the Guardian and is a regular BBC broadcaster. He lives in London, E1. Robert Layton is a journalist and broadcaster. He lives in London, NW6.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Something needs clearing up here. This is the 'Yearbook' to the main guide: 'The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVD's'. Very similar titles likely to cause confusion.
The main guide, published in 2003, is a huge tome 1550 pages long giving an impressive overview of some of the classical CD's available in the U.K. This 'Yearbook' covers releases since that main guide was published. Unfortunately, presumably due to publishing deadlines, a lot of CD's I had expected would be covered, aren't. For example, the superb Chailly Mahler Symphony No.3 on Decca, which was officially released in the U.K. on May 10 2004 isn't mentioned! I found many similar omissions. Half this guide is taken up with compilations, vocal recitals, and the like, leaving fewer pages for the main orchestral discs. This is OK but really you must have the main guide before you get this, and I'm not sure how much this adds given what's left out. Still as a collector I found it an essential purchase.
The review standard is as high as ever; in fact I think I even detected a bit more criticism compared with the main guide. Are classical CD standards dropping or the reviewers becoming 'tougher'?.
So a bit of a disappointment regarding coverage, but still an essential for serious collectors.
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've been buying this book for a number of years now - I have two earlier editions - and I simply wouldn't be without it. I haven't found another guide that can compare.
The Penguin reviewers are thorough, discerning and extremely knowledgeable. I rate their judgement very highly and I think I can safely say that I've never been disappointed by a purchase made on the strength of one of their top recommendations.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The authors are all distinguished critics whose views I trust completely. This book is an invaluable source of information to anyone who collects classical CDs. The reviews are necessarily rather short and some important modern composers are omitted but the book could not be much bigger and compromises have to be made. If you have this, the Gramophone Good CD Guide (which is not so comprehensive but more detailed) and a subscription to either Gramophone, International Record Review or the BBC Music Magazine, then you will have everything you need to be a discerning buyer.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A invaluable resource!
This is an incredible book. I use it every time I want to buy a new recording and have never been disappointed by the outcome. Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2000
Fantastic
Anyone who's seen this or any of the previouse versions will know that this is indespensible to any classical music fan. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 1999
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