| The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs Yearbook 1997/8 (Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and Dvds Yearbook)by Ivan March, Edward Greenfield, Robert Layton  (2 customer reviews)Paperback: (Penguin USA (P))
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Editorial ReviewsAmazon.com Intended as a companion volume to The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs of 1996, this Yearbook succeeds remarkably well in offering a comprehensive look at recent compact disc issues and reissues, with 700 tiny-type pages of thoughtful reviews. The mass of Schubert recordings issued for the composer's birth bicentennial in 1997 are here, as are the many marvelous reissues that returned to record-company catalogs after a sonic cleaning and repackaging. To prevent the back strain that buyers might suffer in attempting to take both the mammoth original guide and this volume on a jaunt to a record store, the editors have thoughtfully included 500 reviews of "key recordings," for "a comprehensive series of 'best buys'" excerpted from the first book. The Penguin guides are among the best available, and the Yearbook is definitely a worthwhile volume for music lovers. Book Description More than a supplement to the indispensable and comprehensive Penguin Guide to Compact Disks, The Yearbook 1997-1998 contains up-to-the-minute information on the very best current releases and classic reissues and also: * lists contents alphabetically by composer * appraises interpretation and excellence of each performance * evaluates recordings for sound quality, financial value, and generosity of content * looks at bargain and super-bargain CD's * includes Ivan March's editor's choice of over 500 recordings and reviews from the complete 1996-1997 guide The Yearbook will help you make an informed choice from the vast and bewildering range of classical recordings offered today. |
Reader Reviews |
| Excellent but dated. Still valuable source espec. w/Gramopho, Tuesday, July 25, 2000 The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs is a superb guide. There are many explanatory reviews. This edition is dated vs. the later Bargain CDs and 1999 versions. The Penguin Guides lack indexes to composers, works, conductors and performers. On the other hand and in contrast to Gramophone Guides, Penguin rates each CD reviewed. Gramophone has the indexes but then takes one CD or maybe two from each work and reviews it. But then other versions are listed, some with stars indicating higher desirability. Penguin rates each version (CD) reviewed and provides reasoning for rating some better than others. I really rate this 4 1/2*. With indexes, this would get 5* and a Rosette. The sensitive music lover will have a current copy of Penguin and Gramophone guides, along perhaps with one smaller book that lists a few recommended works for certain popular classical works. I have three copies of Penguin guides. I often take one into Barnes and Noble to check while looking at CDs. I use both Penguin and Gramophone in reviewing CDs on auction or for sale. One major problem is that Gramophone and Penguin tend to pick a different version of each work as best. So, which is? There isn't too much agreement. This is an advantage for the person who has the time or inclination to experiment. Another problem is some of the more current composers, especially in the 20th century are overlooked. These problems are insignificant. If I see a new work, there is the gut. Also, some CD houses will permit returning versions that aren't as expected. This is a MUST. Look for the Bargain CD guide and also the latter version though. Gramophone is also a must, especially the 1999 edition. |
| Useful and comprehensive, Thursday, April 23, 1998 Busloads of classical CDs have been issued - some would say dumped - on the market in the last decade. No one publication can assess them all, but these writers, all contributors to Gramophone, Britain's oldest magazine about classical recorded music, have a better hope than most. They are particularly good at pointing out interesting, underpublicised reissues or bargain releases that the conventional press have overlooked. They are less good on releases from really small companies, or those aimed at non-English speaking markets. Their overview is careful and a bit too conservative: if a performance is eccentric but inspired, they will sooner dismiss it as eccentric than praise it as exciting. But you will soon get used to their critical stance, accommodate it and learn to read between the lines. As a source of information about new CDs this guide is easy to use and hard to better. Richard Bernas, |
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