Afficionados download these days, per song mind you, not entire CDs. Not only Tower Records closed down a few years ago. The entire market has changed completely. These days you buy music from your armchair. Here in Europe stores still exist and the supply is more plentiful, no small wonder you found what you wanted with the Brits. I myself buy only through E-bay these days, where the classical offering, new or used, is huge and fairly cheap compared to store prices. These have indeed risen, because producers as well as store owners try to cut their losses caused by the internet trade. LPs, the second hand market that is, on the other hand have become much cheaper compared to a few years ago. The demand for them has dropped, partly because digital, both soft- and hardware wise has become better and also because most of the younger generation is not particularly interested in classical music. Oddly enough this is not true for pre-recorded tapes.
What Happened to CD Clubs & Stores to Buy CDs?
I feel like I've lived under a rock for the past 2 years. I haven't bought much to add to my library in that time, and now I'm shocked.
There used to be BMG Music Club and Columbia Club. You could get most of the main Classical repertory from them, including box sets of symphonies, etc.
Now, it appears there is a BMG/Sony DVD Club that offers some CDs, but only a fraction of what was a few years ago.
For example, I couldn't find Bernstein's CBS or Solti's London Mahler cycles, except in the UK!
The site is pathetic. It is totally oriented around DVDs/movies, and searches will bring you to other websites, including Amazon.com.
What happened to all the releases of the huge and vast classical repertoire of budget, midprice, full price and sets that were so plentiful? Are they not even in print anymore?
Prices I found are higher than they were 5 years ago. I see basic 2 CD classical releases at prices like $39.95 for a DG Karajan Mahler 9th. Unbelievable.
I didn't even check the jazz repertoire to see what has happened there.
Would someone educate me in my naiveity?
There used to be BMG Music Club and Columbia Club. You could get most of the main Classical repertory from them, including box sets of symphonies, etc.
Now, it appears there is a BMG/Sony DVD Club that offers some CDs, but only a fraction of what was a few years ago.
For example, I couldn't find Bernstein's CBS or Solti's London Mahler cycles, except in the UK!
The site is pathetic. It is totally oriented around DVDs/movies, and searches will bring you to other websites, including Amazon.com.
What happened to all the releases of the huge and vast classical repertoire of budget, midprice, full price and sets that were so plentiful? Are they not even in print anymore?
Prices I found are higher than they were 5 years ago. I see basic 2 CD classical releases at prices like $39.95 for a DG Karajan Mahler 9th. Unbelievable.
I didn't even check the jazz repertoire to see what has happened there.
Would someone educate me in my naiveity?