Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 781.680266
EAN: 9780141033365
Edition: 2008
ISBN: 0141033363
Label: Penguin
Manufacturer: Penguin
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 1568
Publication Date: September 27, 2007
Publisher: Penguin
Studio: Penguin

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Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display

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Rating: - As other respondents have said
...the poor old Penguin Guide is trading on it's past glories. I don't think our erstwhile reviewers are listening too closely to the music or else the dreadful recording of Mravinsky's rendition of Tchaikovsky's 6th symphony would have earned a solitary star instead of the **(*) it gets. There are other examples, especially in the reviews of opera. Our editors appear to have their favourites (or perhaps a limited knowledge of opera). Callas and Bjorling were good in their day, but opera - and recording ... Read More

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Rating: - Losing it's way, but is there a real alternative?
no JBJ, we music lovers can't do without the guide as there's nothing remotely comparable doing the same job. And that's what's worrying about the downhill process the Penguin Guide's been following over, I'd say, the last 15 years. At the heart of it's problems are the practicality of size, the ability of the editors to keep up with it all and the commerciality of the product.

Of what's been said before I agree that: a) the scoring system is ludicrously complicated and space-wasting, the ... Read More

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Rating: - Declining quality
This edition of the Guide is riddled with typos, errors and omissions. Some CDs are noted but not rated. Some CD labels are poorly served (particulary budget labels like Brilliant and Regis). Some of the text is plain contradictory. A big disappointment that might well signal the end of this publication.

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Rating: - Excellent work!
This work has been and remains an invaluable tool to consult when choosing which 'version' to purchase. It is written by a reliable and very able team. Obviously not everything is to be agreedwith when it comesto interpretation- but I have found this resource to be most helpful- it sifts out poor recordings and weak performances. The new starring system is a little confusing as is the box around recommended performances- a DVD section is also helpful but there are some weaknesses.
Because of size and ... Read More

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Rating: - Awful disappointment
I agree completely with reviewer "JSH". I too have been buying this guide regularly for decades, and look forward to each new issue avidly, despite the ever-lengthening trail of nonsensical statements that have survived cut-and-paste editing as recordings are added or (especially) deleted from the list. I can kind of forgive this particular widespread mess, as the business of editing such a huge volume with less than an army of editorial staff is a truly daunting task. But the latest issue fails on every ... Read More

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