Re: [ARSCLIST] CD versus Download was "All hail the analogue revolution..."

[Don Cox <doncox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 25/09/06, Karl Miller wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 Mwcpc6@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
>> There is a big difference between the mass market and the music
>> market.
>> 
>> Even as a teenager I appreciated the notes on the classical LPs I
>> borrowed
>> from the library and even researched composers and orchestras.
>> 
>> However also as a teenager I taped the "Top 40" off the air and
>> played the
>> songs in the order they accumulated on the reel of my home tape
>> recorder,
>> without any interest in the context.
> 
> Which reminds me of a discussion I had over lunch on Saturday...
> 
> I wonder if the classical market is less suited to the download. No
> doubt, economics will be, to a large part, the determining
> factor...but I consider how classical discs have, from time to time,
> cost more. Plus I look to the popularity of labels like Brilliant
> where collections of the "complete" are popular...especially at what
> they charge.

They charge less for good quality CDs than most people charge for
downloads. I guess the saving is in inventory and shipping costs - a box
of five CDs costs no more to handle and store than a single CD.

I bought several of their boxes, and really the only "cheapness" is that
the discs are in card sleeves, not in jewel cases. But EMI sell box sets
like this too, for not much more. 

About half of Brilliant's discs are licensed and half are their own
productions, mainly using Dutch artists. 

Their "Complete Mozart" box of 170 CDs for about 100 UKP is something
that almost any school or college could use.

> 
> I also think about the nature of classical music with its wide dynamic
> range and the complexity of sound.
> 
> Any thoughts out there as to whether there might be a potential for
> the CD staying with us a bit longer for classical music versus popular
> music?

I think it is highly likely, partly because buyers tend to be older. I
think SACD will probably be largely used for classical music too,
although big band jazz tapes (Ellington etc) would also benefit from
SACD transfers.

Regards
-- 
Don Cox
doncox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx