Is It Worth Investing In?

[Jared]

This is a new thread folks... for those occasions when you see a CD or box set, which you're not sure about. You might for instance:

* Be unfamiliar with the composer's musical style, and would like a comparison.
* Be unfamiliar with the conductor or orchestra's reputation in a certain repertoire.
* Be unsure where to start with a certain body of work, given the sheer number of recordings on offer.
* You've seen a re-issue, or a seemingly duplicate set by an artist and are not sure whether the recordings are from different stages of their career.
* You'd like an opinion on the sound quality of a recording of a remastered re-issue...

...the list of reasons could go on, so here at least is a thread where we can pool our knowledge, to help forum members make better informed purchases... :-))

[Jared]

I'm going to kick this thread off with a query. I have long been thinking about purchasing the Maria Jao Pires boxset of Mozart Piano Sonatas on DG, however have kept it on pricewatch, because it's always been rather expensive:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... d_i=468294

Now, I have noticed that a boxset is being released next week, on the Brilliant label, for 1/3 of the price! This is the first of two travsersals made by Pires, with the 2nd set on DG described as 'more refined':

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005 ... d_i=468294

my question is, does anyone know how the two traversals compare in standard? I mean, £20 is a lot of money to spend for a slight refinement (if that's all it is)... so if you were me, which would you go for?

[Seán]

Great idea for a thread Jared, well done. I am not familiar with the Pires cycle. Off topic perhaps, but I can certainly recommend the Klara Würtz Mozart piano cycle on Brilliant Classics.

[DaveF]

+1 on the idea for a thread Jared! Im afraid that I cant help you with your query though.

[fergus]

Excellent idea for the thread Jared. I also have had the Maria Jao Pires set on my Wish List for quite some time and I was not aware of the Brilliant set that was coming out. I will, I think, opt for the Brilliant set myself.

[Jared]

Excellent idea for the thread Jared. I also have had the Maria Jao Pires set on my Wish List for quite some time and I was not aware of the Brilliant set that was coming out. I will, I think, opt for the Brilliant set myself.

yes, I'll try and catch a review of it elsewhere and weigh up the difference.... in a way, it reminds me of the Kempff sets of Beethoven sonatas; you can buy the 1950's Mono set when he was at the peak of his powers for around £32 or the 1970s stereo set which aren't considered as strong for around £22... I guess you pays your money and takers your choice, although it has to be said, both those sets are on DG...

btw, thanks for the encouragement with the thread guys, I hope that in time, it will prove to be an occasional, welcome addition...

[Diapason]

The good people at Amazon emailed this morning suggesting I buy this, and I'm inclined to agree with them. Any thoughts?

[Jared]

The good people at Amazon emailed this morning suggesting I buy this, and I'm inclined to agree with them. Any thoughts?

Simon... that is a top quality box set at a ridiculous price... I've seen it around before, and most (if not all) of the performances on there are of the very highest order... esp when DG, Philips & Decca have become 'Universal'... their stable of talent is peerless...

my goodness, I'm tempted myself!!

[Diapason]

My initial reaction was that it's worth it for the Pollini Etudes alone, which I've come close to buying at full price on many occasions. Also, I was in a hotel on Friday evening and they had a CD of Chopin Nocturnes in the room (Arrau -- gorgeous!) and I was saying to Hazel that I need to buy more Chopin, so this seems timely. Think I'll buy it.

[Jared]

^^ really, I'm torn... I was to extend my Chopin collection in due course, and this is a fabulous opportunity, BUT I havbe bought so much recently, and the shelves are creaking with new music to get through... regrettably, I think I must decline...