Customer Reviews

The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs, Yearbook 1997-1998 (Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs Yearbook)

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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.

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,