Buying Classical Music CDs and DVDs

[Joseph Liu]

Since the closing of all the local Tower Records, I haven't bought Classical music CDs or DVDs in local stores. The only place I have bought them is from Amazon.com. I don't like the selection at Barnes and Noble, Borders or Best Buy. I miss going to a good store with knowledgeable sales people and a good selection. Does anyone here buy CDs or DVDs from a good physical store? Do you have recommendations?

[Ken Pollard]

Since the closing of all the local Tower Records, I haven't bought Classical music CDs or DVDs in local stores. The only place I have bought them is from Amazon.com. I don't like the selection at Barnes and Noble, Borders or Best Buy. I miss going to a good store with knowledgeable sales people and a good selection. Does anyone here buy CDs or DVDs from a good physical store? Do you have recommendations?

It's not just classical music. I used to stock CDs in my shop (mostly fiddle music), but no more, except for those that come in instructional books or are low-number local productions. We are going through a major revolution in retail, and except for the odd local shop that might survive in some few places, we're not going to see those knowledgeable-staff stores anymore, at least for mass-produced items. My prediction, FWIW.

I recently wanted a copy of Elizabeth Wallfisch's Locatelli's L'Arte d'Violon. 3-disc set. Out of print and expensive. I finally bought the mp3 version for $30 through Amazon, I think. Sounds ok to me. I miss the liner notes, but I think they'll work out that bug. But the fun thing for me -- old at 52 -- is that I could easily place it on one CD, as mp3, with plenty of room left over. Or I could put it on a thumb drive, and play it in my car.

Life is changing. It's not all good, not all bad.

[gowan]

Since the closing of all the local Tower Records, I haven't bought Classical music CDs or DVDs in local stores. The only place I have bought them is from Amazon.com. I don't like the selection at Barnes and Noble, Borders or Best Buy. I miss going to a good store with knowledgeable sales people and a good selection. Does anyone here buy CDs or DVDs from a good physical store? Do you have recommendations?

Even in the pre-CD time it used to be possible to buy music recordings by mail, though there was no internet so paper catalogs were needed. Store staff might be knowledgeable or might not, anyhow whether you like an interpretation or not is mostly a matter of taste. I, too, mourn the loss of physical stores where shopping for CD's is possible. For quite a while now I've bought CD's only on line, mostly from Amazon. I was never very happy with the staff at record stores, usually I seemed to know more about the recordings anyhow. You can still read reviews in reputable sources like The American Record Guide (http://www.americanrecordguide.com/) and Gramophone and make your online purchases using their advice. But I'll always miss the "New Arrivals" bin at my local record store (independent), browsing in which led to many new musical loves.

[crazy jane]

This list is from 2007, so who knows. But it is worth a try (the list is a ways down the page):

Mr. Tepper's List of Los Angeles Area Classical Record Stores

J.

PS. Our favorite store is across the border, but you can shop on-line. Sikora's has a wonderful inventory with lots of imported stuff that is difficult to get in the states

[Joseph Liu]

This list is from 2007, so who knows. But it is worth a try (the list is a ways down the page):

Mr. Tepper's List of Los Angeles Area Classical Record Stores

J.

PS. Our favorite store is across the border, but you can shop on-line. Sikora's has a wonderful inventory with lots of imported stuff that is difficult to get in the states

Thanks for the list! I will take a look through it.

[Alma]

Since you asked, I am happy to recommend

http://www.recordsinternational.com/

I've been shopping there for a couple of years now, and enjoy the excellent service and monthly catalog. Special orders are accepted (except for the mega-labels--SONY etc). I would be surprised if there were not other RI customers here.

I miss Tower Records too-- Friday nights at Tower Westwood, or West Hollywood. So it goes.

[Joseph Liu]

Since you asked, I am happy to recommend

http://www.recordsinternational.com/

I've been shopping there for a couple of years now, and enjoy the excellent service and monthly catalog. Special orders are accepted (except for the mega-labels--SONY etc). I would be surprised if there were not other RI customers here.

I miss Tower Records too-- Friday nights at Tower Westwood, or West Hollywood. So it goes.

Thanks Alma! Records International seems to have many CDs I am looking for!

[zefir68]

Thanks Alma! Records International seems to have many CDs I am looking for!

There is nothing better than finding a great recording while browsing a classical, jazz, cw or bluegrass store. My favorite memory is being in the basement of the original Tower store by Juilliard in New York, hearing a great recording of Mahler 4, it turned out to be Mengelberg and the Concertgebouw. For a while, the recording was pulled off the shelves because it was believed Mengelberg was a Nazi sympathizer. After many years of retrospective analysis, he was not. It's a great rendering and recording of the piece.

[Stephen Fine]

I always relied on Toscha for recommendations for historical recordings. (yay Maestronet!)

For contemporary stuff I just buy whatever has performers or composers I like (usually online, it's true). It's definitely trial and error a bit more than I'd like. I never went to a Tower with a particularly knowledgeable sales staff.

Also, I have a Naxos membership.