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Good book on best performances of classical music on vinyl

71.192.25.36

Moderator, if this would be best placed in the general or classical music forums please feel free to move it. Thank you..
I am in my mid 70's and have difficutly reading computer screens. Over the decades I have picked up new and used books about classical music records and I am finally organizing my basement after some life changing events. I think I have roughly 5-6K classical music albums.( roughly the same amount of rock and jazz) I have been collecting since the early 1960's and when CD's arrived with their "perfect sound forever" mantra, I was able to pick up many collections of music quite cheaply resulting in multiple copies of certain works performed by different conductors, orchestras or soloists.
I am looking for a good book with recommendations about really good performances on vinyl.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I did read about the Stereo Record guide, but that is a multivolume set and not cheap. It doesn't fit into my soc sec budget.
Thanks
Norm

Follow Ups:

thanks for all the thoughtful recommendations - gonzo 11:02:55 09/30/24 (3)
In going through boxes of books in the basement I found a 2002 penguin guide to CDs and some all music books, but they much newer and didn't have LP's listed. Since LPs are what I want to get a better handle on I will search out the 84 or 85 edition of the Penguin guide.
Norm
- RE: thanks for all the thoughtful recommendations - fstein 11:35:34 10/01/24 (1)
  Penguins choices are often second-rate regional British orchestras. Music apparently stops at the coast.
  - +1 [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 15:14:12 10/01/24 (0)
- Don't forget a dredging operation in the 'bay. There are few Penguins there now. )MT( - J. S. Bach 17:35:53 09/30/24 (0)
  Later Gator,
  Dave
RE: Good book on best performances of classical music on vinyl - Mel 11:56:26 09/29/24 (1)
The bible for this sort of thing are the Penguin Guides. This is what you want. They came out in new editions every couple of years. The one I have used is "The Complete Penguin Stereo Record and Cassette Guide" published in 1984.
It is far more comprehensive than the Absolute Sound list which is VERY specialized. My Pengiun has 1387 pages
I suggest you go to a used book store and seek out a Penguine Guide close to the era of mine if you want it to include LPs. They're all soft cover and will be very well worn. And the contributers have their have their biases. Probably very cheap.

Edits: 09/29/24
- Penguins Guides - M3 lover 10:26:34 09/30/24 (0)
  Before moving I had at least four versions. Initially they listed LPs, then added cassettes, and lastly CDs. So as others suggested, find the foreman(s) that interest you.
  
  Sometimes a bit Brit-centric but still useful.
  
  I agree on the NPR Guide as well.
  
  "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho
Would the Penguin Guide still qualify? There is also the NPR Guide - alaskahiatt 11:52:34 09/29/24 (1)
to Classical Music. The Penguin Guide requires a lot of page turning, but it does mark what it considers the very best performances.
- NPR GUIDE (Open in New Window)
- RE: Would the Penguin Guide still qualify? There is also the NPR Guide - ecl876 08:43:59 09/30/24 (0)
  Penguin Guide is the best for both sound and performance. There are several editions. They are available online at many used book stores. If you interested in sound only, HP's list is the one to go to. But it doesn't have nearly the quantity of classical recordings that the Penguin Guide does.
RE: Good book on best performances of classical music on vinyl - mraudio 05:55:44 09/29/24 (1)
Not a book, but the absolute sound publishes every year their "TAS Super Disc" list. It has a bunch of classical recommendations.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2023-tas-super-lp-list/
- https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2023-tas-super-lp- (Open in New Window)
- That's terrific. Thank you - gonzo 08:00:50 09/29/24 (0)
  .

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