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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Hello Pat,<br>
<br>
Thank you for the review. I would say that the box is mostly a
success, even though there's as far as I can tell only one new
item included. But that is on the other hand a substantial
addition: the complete DVD of "The Well-Temepered Listener", which
was only partly included in the 10 DVD box. This is definitely one
of the most interesting Gould programs for television.<br>
<br>
As for the cardboards for the CDs, there is one major problem:
when you have a double album -- for example the six sonatas for
violin and harpsichord -- it will be almost impossible to get the
CDs out of the container without scratching he surface. That is
definitely not an optimal solutions!<br>
<br>
I haven't checked the sound quality. I did make a swift comparison
with the new budget-priced Gould edition (yes there is another
series which was released at the same time as the big Bach box!).
There is a difference in sound (I checked one of the Bach concerti
disks) between that edition and an older CD-version. I can't at
this time give any definite opinion whether this is a major
difference or not though. It's too bad they don't always include
the sound engineer and producer of each new release. Don't worry
about any loundness enhancement though. This is rarely used in
classical music. It would sound very silly when adopted to music
which demands a broad range of dynamics.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Jorgen<br>
</div>
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<div>Dear all</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Just in case you still wonder wether that new GG Bach box
set might be summet for Santa to put under the chrissie
tree, wonder no more ! I bought one and thougnt I’d give you
a mini-review:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Like most of you I already have most of what is in there,
and I am fully aware that I have been ripped off even before
I walked into that record store.
But....I...could...not...resist. They had quite a pile of
them there, strangely in the Pop/Rock section under a fake
chrissie tree. When I inquired in the classical department
the clerk pointed to said section and said: “There, is that
enough GG for ya, mate ?”.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The box has a nice blue color (but why blue ? Battleship
grey I say e basta) and an embossed logo with GG’s name and
the infamous chair. The material feels quite nice to hold in
your hand.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But if you open the box a thick booklet appears and there
the trouble starts. It is quite thick and hosts a lot of
images at least I have not yet seen (still need to read the
Stegemann essays), but the dimensions it has (same as the
box itself) are not very ergonomical and makes long reading
tiresome. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Below that book/booklet the CDs are housed meaning that
each time you want to get out a CD you have to take out the
book first. Not an elegant solution, they should have
separate panels. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The CDs are made of cardboard with the open side looking
down, so potentially a CD could just roll out of its sleeve.
Also I must digitalize this box, if you take out one CD just
for pleasure and forgot the chronological order you are in
trouble and have to consult that clumsy booklet, but there
is no quick reference list. Also not a good solution, but
could well be me and a luxury problem.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The box contains the complete Bach recordings of GG
issued during his lifetime in chronological order and
original jackets. Yet there is one CD I have never seen
before called The Little Bach Book (Klavierbüchlein für Anna
Magdalena I think ?), which was previously mixed with other
material. Eh, how come that never rang a bell with me ?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The rest is a mixed bag of previously released stuff or
material that has not been in print for some time. At least
to my knowledge there is *nothing* previously unreleased.
Hey Sony, no sugarcugbes or candy while you’re floggin’ the
ol’ ‘orse for some chrissie cash ?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Collectors who skipped the first bunch of those Sony
releases with these horrible covers back in the 90s will be
pleased to see that the Salzburg/Moscow recording is back in
print, same for the german recording GG made in the early
70s, plus some stuff from the CBC that was scattered by
random force all over these old Sony discs.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There is one CD full (?) of outtakes from the ‘55 GB
Sessions which were released on that State of Wonder set
methinks, sadly the CD covers do not provide timing.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The DVDs contain material that was out with the GG on TV
box, the only new thing are the Montsagenon films that were
only available on VHS and difficult to find.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>So much for that. I will check for sound quality,
although I think these have the same quality in terms of
mastering than the previous few releases (I mean what is
known as Loudness Wars these days), I will also check
detailed track listings because I think something very
significant (apart from some unreleased goodies) is missing
here. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>This set is clearly intended for the Christmas market and
hardcore Gouldians will not find that much new stuff,
depending on what they already own. And if I wanted to be
harsh I could say that it is an absolute bloody disgrace
that Sony was not able to put some previously unreleased
stuff like some radio docs or more outtakes on this one. Boo
! Guess their favourite piece of classical musi still is the
Geldschein-Sonate...</div>
<div> </div>
<div>If you are a proud owner of the GG Original Jacket
Collection and its subsequent Bach release, the GG on TV box
and some other loose ends you can spend your ‘unred quid
somewhere else. The Montsagenon DVDs are available
seperately, so are all the individual CDs with a few
exeptions I think.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>If you are new to GG and/or Bach, this is definetly a
great intro to both artists. I know I’d want one if I were
new to GG.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>So got ripped, I knew in advance that I would fall into a
trap (7th ‘55 GB copy by now). But I don’t care, this box
has the advantage that some stuff is here that previously
all over my CD collection, plus the Montsagenon DVDs. I
haven’t heard some of this stuff (Moscow, Salzburg) in ages
and I wanted to see the Montsagenon stuff for more than a
decade now. This box has its problems (storage, design) but
what really counts is the music. And that is timeless.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Pat</div>
</div>
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