Classical Album Chart
Sun, Aug 7 2011, 9:28AM
Is it just me that can't understand what the purpose of having the
biggest-selling classical albums published on the site (and in the
hard-copy) is? In all honesty, I just can't see Gramophone's readers
looking at it and thinking to themselves 'this week's chart has really
changed my perception of my understanding of the buying public and will
make a difference to my own listening and purchasing now' or 'I must get
that because lots of other people have ...'.
I hope it's not out of order to admit that my interest in the
music the Gramophone reports on is just that - the music, and not
following the fashion for the latest marketing cover-candy, re-recording
of the usual suspects or kool klassics for kogniscenti.
Out of
interest, can the site-manager identify how many 'hits' [no pun
intended] there are for the chart out of the total site visitors? If significant numbers of site visitors are looking at it I would really like to know 'why?'. Am I missing something ..?
Mon, Aug 8 2011, 9:09PM
#2
RE: Classical Album Chart
As VicJayL says, it is a feature that many readers simply find interesting. The way the chart is compiled means that only classical recordings our readers would recognise as such are included, and I for one am always interested to see which recordings the invariably highly-informed classical music-buying public is choosing to buy. There are many superb discs there, and if the Chart encourages people to consider a disc on what is, at the end of the day, a recommendation by other classical collectors, good for them and good for the recording labels. And yes, it is actually quite a popular page on our site.
Tue, Aug 9 2011, 3:34PM
#3
RE: Classical Album Chart
Is it just me or am I thinking that this argument is rearing its head again? Red Cardinal, I don't know if you are aware but there was recently a feisty set-to on the issue of charts and lists on another thread on this site.
Basically there are two schools of thought- some of us like lists, some don't, and some adopt stronger positions than others. Me - and I am not sitting on the fence - although I think there are some issues with lists they are a part of today's culture and yes, it is interesting to see what other people are buying, even if I think that well, no I don't want Viennese lollipops myself!
Perhaps we could steer this debate along lines of what the record buying public likes and why rather than re-hashing the lists and charts idea.
One peformance we don't really want or need a repeat of!
Best wishes
Partsong
Fri, Aug 12 2011, 4:46PM
#4
RE: Classical Album Chart
Surely this matters to the recording artists more than the buying public, and since they are reader too, why not have the information? And yes - it is also a source of statistical fun!
No, Your Eminence, it's not out of order for you to state that your interest is the music, unsullied by any sense of popularism. But this member of the laity is interested in what is selling, enjoys the format and hopes others do too. If you have a problem with that, you could always refer it to the Inquisition.
Are you missing something? you ask. Can I suggest - a sense of proportion?
It's a bit of fun, for goodness' sake!
Vic.