Customer Reviews

The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs: Yearbook (2002/2003)

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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.

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

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.