Book Description
The essential companion volume updating Penguin's most recent CD/DVD guide
This yearbook supplements The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs, the largest and most comprehensive survey of classical music on digital audio and video discs ever published. Together, the two books cover thousands of recordings and films, offering candid evaluation of their relative artistic and technical merits, highlighting notable performances, and pinpointing best buys. This yearbook not only reviews the many hundreds of CDs that have appeared since the publication of the main guide in 2005, but it also takes a close look at some of the more unusual areas of the classical music repertoire and includes an extensive section on instrumental concerts and recitals. Designed to help select the very best classical music and video discs available to date, The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs Yearbook is an invaluable resource for any classical music lover.
Customer Reviews:
Again, Some Reservations.......2007-07-15
Again, here, as with my review of the "Guide" itself (odd years is this Guide, even years are the Update), I find that I no longer feel as I did years ago about this book.
I sadly feel that the beginner with collecting classical music needs a smaller, not so expensive book and supplement every other year, as this is. This book, like the guide, years ago was much simpler, and was easily recommendable to the novice music collector. I cannot review this supplement (and the Guide) anymore for the general music buying public, as I feel it no longer serves all equally. It has become a guide, I feel, for the more experienced listener/collector, and that is OK, but the beginner, I feel is wasting his/her money on these guides.
Where to tell them to seek help? I'm not really sure, but I suggest perhaps the Rough Guide to Classical Music, and perhaps the NPR Guide.... I feel that basically the top 100 list on the first pages of the Penguin Guides are all the beginner will really need for a few years, why waste $45 on these two books?????
Sorry to sound negative, I really don't mean to, but I cannot see that these books serve the "general" music public. ~operabruin
How can you go wrong...?.......2007-01-26
Buying CD's is expensive...the Penguin Classical CD/DVD is a must. Why? Because it will save you alot of money...period. Whether you agree with every review or not, if you buy CD's...you can for the price of one get help in deciding which to buy, and which to stay from. I have used my guide alot, and usually end up completely agreeing with the reviews. Buy it...you'll like it.
Book Description
A fully updated edition of the CD guide hailed by the Wall Street Journal as "more valuable than ever to any serious collector of classical music"
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.
* The Penguin Guide to CDs is used to select the most popular classical works in celebrated performances for the Penguin Music Classics CDs. See your hardcover sales representative for details.
Customer Reviews:
"THE" SOURCE FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC REVIEWS.......2006-01-18
This tome is "the essential companion" to the main guide which was published a few years ago. It fills in the gaps and adds some VERY interesting reviews under "other vocal and choral recitals", "other historical reissues", "other instrumental reissues", and especially "other concerts". This book is essential reading for those who collects CDs and DVDs and who listen to recordings on classical music radio stations.
Perhaps some time in a later edition they could have a section that groups all the DVDs together in one place since there is a plethora of superb DVDs of operas, concerts, recitals, etc. being produced and since many of us have home theatre systems an easy to reference guide would be most helpful.
I say this because I recently bought a DVD of Otto Klemperer conducting Beethoven's Ninth symphony in 1964 with the New Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus and played live at the Henry Wood Hall at the Royal Albert. At times the sound almost sounds stereo and the timpani beats in the second movement are terrifying.
To me, this is one of the best performances I have EVER heard conducted and the restoration of the mono sound and black and white television tape is nothing short of miraculous. AS A BONUS (no less), included is Ernest Ansermet conducting Beethoven's 7th symphony with a French orchestra recorded in 1967! It too is a miracle of restoration.
This reference book is essential for all aficianados of classical music in all its forms and will be well-thumbed and notated when I am through with it.
VERY, VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Timothy Wingate OTTAWA CANADA
The 2004/5 supplement to the 2003/4 main guide.......2005-09-29
Be sure you know what you are getting here: this is a SUPPLEMENT (736 pages) to the 2003/4 COMPLETE Penguin Guide (1616 pages). The main Penguin Guide lists the TOP-RATED CD RECOMMENDATIONS. This supplement lists additional recommendations (less important and new since last book) and some lesser-rated CD's. Additionally, the "Yearbook" supplement here lists some unique recordings: (1) their favorite COLLECTION/COMPLIATION CD's, (2) the best period performances and (3) extensive DVD offerings/reviews. The next main guide is due out Dec. 2005 (the new 2005/6 edition). Note that some of the old reviews below pertain to previous editions of the Penguin and not this 2005 supplement so keep that in mind as you read them.
Regarding the Penguin Guide in general: There are around three MAJOR classical review guides (having more than one or two "pet" recommendations): The Penguin Guide, Third Ear, and the Gramophone "Good CD Guide." The other ones like the NPR Guide, Rough Guide, Jim Svejda's Guide, All-Music-Guide, and the Omnibus Guide all are quite good in historical information, but list only one or two of their top recommendations and sometimes do not compare those. By far and bar none, the Penguin Guide is the most comprehensive - listing the most and the best available recordings for a given composer and composition. Its reviews are in-depth and fair (but often a bit too polite and non-critical for some readers). Overall then, it very useful and reliable for narrowing the field. It has few gaps in the entire repertoire listings (unlike the others, most notably "Third Ear Guide") and gives detailed and interesting summaries as well as their top picks for building a classical library. But, if you don't really need or want to research so many choices but still want at least the top 2-5 choices, then Gramophone is probably the finest guide and easiest to read with a similar rating system and top-award citings.
If you are a committed classical fan and buy at least 15 CD's a year, then the Penguin Guide is indespensibile. I have around ten different guides I use weekly, and more often then not, it is the Penguin that will help me make the final decision. But, I sure like and enjoy having the other opinions as one guide (and group of opinion) will always be limited in some way. And Penguin doesn't and cannot list EVERY possible recording as many go in and out of print. Also, don't hesitate to buy the 2003 edition USED at a great discount as it will still be fairly useful for a few more years. You can look up what is missing at the latest edition at the library or bookstore then! So, if you do not have any Penguin Guide, it is recommended to wait and get the latest, most complete 2005/6 guide due out by year end (2005). Still confused? Penguin could use a better marketing approach here ...
Don't buy this if..........2004-10-04
you are looking for reviews of the latest releases (that is - released in this century). THIS IS NOT THE LATEST EDITION - there is a newer 2003/4 guide.
Note the publish date - 2002!
This one does list many cds left out of the new guide. So it still IS worth having.
Just don't get fooled, like I was by the synopsis above. THERE ARE NO SACDs or DVD-As listed, Very few cds from this century.
BUYER BEWARE
Great help when buying classical CDs!!!.......2003-09-11
This is, without any doubts the most comprehensive classical CD guide you can buy!
Although I also like, and would recommend, the Gramophone guides, the amount of information contained in the Penguin guide is simply amazing! While the Gramophone guide lists several composers with ample and informative reviews on two or three of the recordings that they consider to be the best choices of a certain work the Penguin guide includes many more recommendations of each work although with much shorter reviews. The amount of composers and works listed and reviewed in this guide is incredible!
I bought this guide almost a year ago (from Amazon.com) and every single CD that I've bought this year, following this guide's recommendations, has proven to be the right choice! You just can't go wrong with the wealth and quality of information that you'll find within this guide's pages!
This is an absolute must for any classical music lover!
Creme de la creme.......2003-05-21
Similar to the potential pitfalls in picking out just the right bottle of wine, finding the "best" recording and performance of a certain opera, symphony, violin concerto, etc., can be a proverbial mine field. However, the expertise rendered in this jewel of a guide makes the shopping experience a happy walk in the park. Don't shop with out it! Trite analogies aside, to address the previous reviewer's frustration (oh, how I sympathize!) in finding a well stocked local classical CD shop-- ...
Amazon.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.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent but dated. Still valuable source espec. w/Gramopho.......2000-07-26
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.......1998-04-23
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,
Book Description
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs is the largest and most comprehensive survey of classical music on digital audio and video discs ever published. It covers thousands of recordings, offering candid evaluation of their relative artistic and technical merits, highlighting notable performances, and pinpointing the best buys. This guide takes into account the many hundreds of new and reissued CDs and DVDs that have appeared in recent years while also including all the major recordings of each work-from remastered vintage recordings to the latest releases. This essential reference work is designed to help select the very best video and music discs available today.
Customer Reviews:
Most comprehensive, but..........2006-01-17
Make no mistake, The Penguin Guide is an outstanding and without a doubt the most comprehensive catalogue guide to English-speaking listeners of classical music available at present. The three reviewers here - Ivan March, Edward Greenfield and Robert Layton - have I believe an average of some thirty to forty years listening and reviewing music for Gramophone, a prestigious British-based classical music magazine. Thus their experience in this field is not to be doubted. The survey of list recordings here is quite astounding, ranging anything from core repertoire (Beethoven, Mozart etc) to fringe music.
However, I would urge caution in using this guide for everything you purchase. Generally, the Penguin Guide should be used as only a GUIDE and not the final be-all and end-all for all classical music recordings. There are some limitations and shortcomings to the Guide. For example, there's a clear "British bias" in the selection, and sometimes what the reviewers write is pure fluff (generally just rehashing about how good, nice the CD is, using repetitive language, without being critical). Two of the three reviewers, Ivan March and Edward Greenfield, are not "specialist" reviewers, but writes reviews mostly for reissued CDs in their Gramophone columns, their reviews in Penguin Guide is also tend likewise to be very generic, sometimes vague, and sometimes quite unlively.
In short, the Penguin Guide is chiefly good for the comprehensive list of recordings and the helpful rating sytem (mostly three-stars to a rosette) which gives a rough idea to novice buyers what to purchase. I find the actual entries themselves distracting rather than helpful. So use this guide judiciously to know which are the recordings which won good critical accolades, but you should always insist on sampling the CDs rather than buy them on basis of this Guide alone. On strength of the writing, I would much prefer buying the Gramophone Good CD Guide than the Penguin Guide. My advice is to consult the Penguin Guide from a library perhaps and make a list of recordings which interest you, and then move onwards from there.
Vague reviews.......2005-11-14
As impressive and thorough the book appear, you really shouldn't judge the book by the number of pages.
My problem with the Penguin Guide from day way is that the reviews are often extremely vague or really quite meaninless. One starts to wonder infact if the reviewer(s) really did carefully listen to the recordings.
To paraphrase, comments like "it is a spirited performance" or "the performance was fresh" are akin to saying the cd was "really nice".
I only read it for comments about the sonic quality (i.e. the bass is lacking, or the strings sound very harsh) rather than the artistic merits of the recordings.
I would stick to back issues of Grammophon magazine or American Record Collector for detailed thoughtful reviews. As for books I recommend Grammophon CD Guide or even the Rough Guide to Classical Music.
Comprehensive but subjective; use caution .......2005-10-17
I have used various editions of this guide for more than a decade. I have also compared it to many other guides out there, including Grammaphone, Rough Guide, NPR Guide, All Music Guide, etc. It is much more comprehensive than any of these other guides--you can find all the major recordings rather than just a few the editors select. The ratings are pretty accurate, too. My only complaint through years has been the British bias it exhibits. The best way around this is to listen to various artists, which of course may not always be possible. Sometimes I also use the following principle (which I have often violated, though): If the piece is recorded by a countryman or an orchestra of the nationalty of the composer, and it has received three stars, prefer that to any English artist/orchestra even if the latter has higher ranking. So my Satie piano works CD is by Entremont, Schostakovich by Borodin Quartet, etc. I know this is too simplistic, and it may not always be advisable. For example, the British pioneered the authentic performance movement, and once the acidity of their violin tones were corrected, we ended up with some marvelous new performances of the classical repertoire on smaller ensembles. In sum, if one can show a little care for its biasses, it is a highly valuable guide.
A premium product!.......2005-10-07
This book is one of several that provide reviews of recorded classical music. However, in my humble opinion, I have found the Penguin guide provides the best guidance to the merits (or otherwise) of a classical recording. I also feel it to be the most comprehesive of the books I have seen on this subject matter (and as such, is quite substantial in size).
The presentation style of the book is easy to follow. It lists the composers in alphabetical order. It then groups the composers works into their various forms ie. symphonies, concertos, choral works, opera etc. You will find that the book reviews a good cross section of the composers musical output.
The works are then rated out of 3 stars (3 stars being the best). Any performance/recording that is considered exceptional (for one reason or another) is indicated by a rosette. Details are then provided regarding the names of the performers, the record company music label and the CD identification number etc.
However, beyond the ratings and details, I feel the most important part of the book is in reading the review itself. The review can range in length from a couple of sentences to several paragraphs. This is where you can find a summary of the performance providing information about styles of playing, tempos used,the quality of the recording etc. Although the one to three star rating gives some guidance, the review is more likely to influence your decision which CD to buy.
If you wish to get serious regarding the purchasing of Classical music CD's, this is the guide I would recommend above all others. Happy listening!
Excellent in every review.......2005-08-24
I would never buy a c.d. with out consulting this book. Have been using the books for the last 20 years. Have always been most satisfied with their recommendations
Book Description
More than an essential companion to the complete Penguin Guide to Compact Discs(1999), the Yearbook 2000/1 reviews hundreds of brand new CDs and takes a closer look at some of the more unusual areas of the classical-music repertoire. Features include:
• Evaluations of recordings based on sound quality, interpretation, excellence of performance, and financial value
• Reviews of ongoing series, information on rarer pieces and an extensive new section on instrumental recitals and concerts
• Listings of bargain and super--bargain CDs
• The editors' personal selection of the 100 greatest recordings of all time
The Yearbook will help you make an informed choice from the vast and bewildering range of classical recordings offered today.
Praise for The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs: More valuable than ever to any serious collector of classical music. (The Wall Street Journal)
Customer Reviews:
Invaluable.......2001-07-25
For any collector of classical music this book is a must have resource. Keeping ahead of, or even up with the amount of classical recordings in today's market is a near impossibility, but with some help from Penguin you can at least make an attempt to. I find some disagreement with some choices and know that I find they leave out some of what I consider to be good recordings, but it's mainly just personal taste, I have never been unhappy with a recording I purchased based in the recomendation of the Penguin staff.
Superb update of the ultimate CD guide.......2001-03-17
As has been the case ever since I began reading these wonderful guides in the late 80s, this volume updating the complete 1999 compilation of the Penguin Guide is comprehensive, entertaining, and highly informative. It contains reviews of thousands upon thousands of new and reissued CDs, which are full of wit and insight and which are up to the authors' usual high standards. The separate alphabetical listings on invididual performers, which unfortunately were omitted from the 1999 guide because of lack of space, are incredibly valuable.
Book Description
This biannual update includes a thorough assessment of audio and video discs, making it the most complete guide to classical music available.
Customer Reviews:
A refreshing change and new musicians presented.......2003-10-23
This guide, although not thick, provides the reader with information on many of the lesser known and contemporary
composers, conductors and artists worldwide. Moreover, in
giving ratings, one can find "new blood," rather than strictly
citing the old standards. This is okay but there are other musicians. Sadly, previous editions of Penguin & Gramophone
miss/don't include a lot of them. Don't buy this guide thinking you will have loads of DVDs mentioned. This is excellent for CDs and opens the door for more coverage
of classical music DVDs as they appear. Sadly, there are
a large number of classical music VHS and only perhaps
two handsful are mentioned in Gramophone, while Penguin
somehow has bypassed the VHS. Sections included in this guide including "Great Composers of the Twentieth Century" are
a joy to read. Also there are many pages devoted to recitals
by instruments other than the piano and violin.
I highly recommend this book. It is excellent, new and
a welcome addition to the literature.
Dr. Alan Kardoff, Melbourne FL
COMPLETE AND COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE.......2003-10-18
As is usual with this series, it is complete, comprehensive, articulate, opinionated, and very, very useful to collectors of classical music on CDs and DVDs.
It should be in the library of every collector of classical music on the above-stated media.
An excellent addition..........2003-04-16
This 02/03 yearbook, which is designed to keep the biannual Penguin Guide to Classical Music, is similar to its excellent forebears, and even has some improvements. Of particular note is that DVDs are now included with CDs in the ratings rather than being segregated in its own section in back. I would like to see Penguin continue this format when it publishes its 04 guide next year.
Books:
- The Situation Is Hopeless, but Not Serious (The Pursuit of Unhappiness)
- The Sugar Solution: Weight Gain? Memory Lapses? Mood Swings? Fatigue? Your Symptoms Are Real - And Your Solution is Here
- The Tragic and the Ecstatic: The Musical Revolution of Wagner's Tristan and Isolde
- This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession
- Toscanini's Fumble and Other Tales of Clinical Neurology
- U2 by U2
- Wee Sing Bible Songs (Wee Sing) CD and Book Edition (Wee Sing)
- What to Listen for in Music
- What to Listen for in Music
- Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison?
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Business Process Execution Language for Web Services BPEL and BPEL4WS 2nd Edition
- Twinkle's Big City Knits: 31 Chunky-Chic Designs
- Speak to Influence: How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Your Voice
- The Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492 30th Anniversary Edition
- The Rose That Grew From Concrete
- The Picture of Dorian Gray
- The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and
- Acing Your First Year of Law School: The Ten Steps to Success You Won't Learn in Class
- Schaum's Financial Accounting 2 Ed.
- Code Of Federal Regulations, Title 07, Agriculture
Discographies & Buyer's Guides
| Reference
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Gramophone Classical Good CD, DVD & Download Guide 2007 (Classical Good CD, DVD, & Download Guide) (Classical Good CD, DVD, & Download Guide)
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs 2005/06 Edition: The Key Classical Recordings on CD, DVD and SACD, 30th Anniversary Edition (Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and Dvds)
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings: Eighth Edition (Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings)
The New York Times Essential Library: Classical Music: A Critic's Guide to the 100 Most Important Recordings
The Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music 2008 (Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music)
