Evaluating Classical Music Albums

I check the Daily Deals on eClassical (a download source owned by BIS Recordings). It is a great way to get good-sounding and well performed repertoire. Any downloads can be refunded, if you don’t like them, within 30 days. So risk free. And BIS recordings tend to have better sonics than most others. For sound and performance, their Bach Cantata series is outstanding. The disc of Schubert Male Choruses is breathtaking -- I prefer it in both sound and performance to the Shaw version on Telarc. And so on....

I also subscribe to Classics Today, an online review source that helps me decide what to try. As with audio reviews, I don’t like everything they recommend, but I often listen on Qobuz to see what I think.

I specifically don’t care about Harry Pearson’s favorites. I am more interested in timbre than spatial effects and not interested in blockbusters. And I want NEW recordings, not endless reissues, though some old things (e.g. Bernstein’s Haydn) are musts.

Forgot to mention, if you still like hard copy magazines, BBC Music is a good read, with reviews of new CD releases each month that focus on performance as well as sonics; as you hear some of the CDs reviewed, you will get an idea of which reviewer's tastes most closely resemble yours.  Plus it has the BBC 3 radio schedule, for those of us who listen to it on internet radio.  And as a bonus, they have a CD with each issue, usually well-recorded and performed.  I have been introduced to a lot of music I would not have heard through those CDs.

These are some great suggestions, thanks!

1. By and large Studio is to be preferred over Live.  

2. There are many orchestral recordings in 60s that are great.  This was a time of great optimism in Europe and it comes out in the playing.  This typically means that you have to go for LP.

3. The popular orchestras and popular conductors are generally safe bets.  The trick is the smaller labels / artists.  A striking example is Sibelius Violin Concerto performed by Dylana Jenson with Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra.  (LP version only, I'm afraid).  Another is the Punkt Label that put out Haydn Symphonies.  Just too many to mention.

4.  Hi-Rez (not more that 96Khz) is often good.

5. Be aware of reissues.  For example the Sibelius mentioned is disappointing on CD.  Likewise the other way round - new music 'remastered' for vinyl.  

Not all that helpful sorry but I think you know it is a thorny issue.

 

Most orchestral releases are from concerts, due to the lack of funds for studio recordings.  I prefer live performances anyway