Other Music Magazines

In what respect, Ian?

Apparently CFM magazine is defunct so your choice has narrowed somewhat.  I suppose it comes down to what you want from a music mag.  For me, it's the reviews first, the features second and the news third.  I never get around to listening to the download, for some reason.  I've taken BBCMM almost since the beginning and Gramophone for only a few years now.  I would miss each equally, I think, although the cover disc that comes with the former has been a major factor in introducing me to music I would not otherwise have thought of listening to - a major part of my musical education, in fact.  I appreciate the greater depth in Gramophone, something that would not have happened without what BBCMM gave me over the years.

Hope you stick with us anyway.

Vic.

I had not realised that  CFMM had closed.  I now understand the new 'Hall of Fame' in The Gramophone!  I think it is called dumbing down to widen the reader profile.  What is worse it seems to be sponsored by Amazon which is killing high street record shops - and your advertisers. 

Looking into it further I saw Joyce Didonato - a fine singer perhaps but in the top 50?  I am sure we can all think of more significant singers - US or otherwise - such as Jessye Norman, Renee Fleming, Beverley Sills, Barbara Bonney, and Dawn Upshaw and from elsewhere Renata Tebaldi, Lisa Dela Casa, Lotte Lehmann, Kiri te Kanawa, Emma Kirkby - the list could go on forever.  I then guessed which record company Ms Didonato was with - yes EMI apparently a co-sponsor of the Hall of Fame.  That's quite a coincidence.

What seems to be happening is to convert The Gramophone to something more akin to CFMM.  Well for me, if it continues,  BBC MM here I come.

Yep.  Agree with Bliss here.  The CDs have introduced me to some great music over the years, stuff I wouldn't have thought of trying.   And just imagine what's in the Beeb's archive ripe for release - courtesy of our and Brodsky's licence fee, of course.

Vic.

I've thought of subscribing to BBC MM, but hasn't it been bought by yet another media group. I don't think the BBC control it any longer. How can we be assured of editorial independence? Isn't that a myth anyway?

I don't believe that Amazon is solely to blame for the demise of high street record shops. Bad service is partly to blame. The only remaining record shop in the US with a decent classical selection was Borders which went out of business. However, even at Borders, there was never knowledgeable staff, just lots of CDs. Buyers were left on their own as to what recording was better, etc. I do miss the specialist stores were the staff were well acquainted with the recordings in the shop. I don't miss buying whatever Borders had on stock. I much prefer finding the recording I want on Amazon, usually at a lower price - even with overnight shipping. In lieu of expert staff, we have the Gramophone CD guide (which does not mean I approve of it wholeheartedly).

Overall, online shopping is a better experience for the shopper. You can shop in the comfort of your own home without having to beat traffic, be pressured to buy something that is not entirely to your satisfaction, and dealing with incompetent staff who don't know the products they are selling. Plus, if you don't like the product you buy online, you can always return it. Most websites have very flexible return policies.

Agreed, totally. Same with bookshops. Every time a local bookstore shuts its doors there's an uproar amongst the people who tend to uproar over everything. Personally I'd had enough of sniffy assistants and owners who just want you to buy what's on the shelves shut-up and get out. I've had excellent service out of both Amazon and Presto.

The thing that is concerning me a little at the moment is Amazon's avoidance of paying corporation tax, despite huge amount of transactions, because they are based in Luxembourg. At the moment, I am mulling over the problem. When possible I like to use bricks and mortar stores - but this is  not always possible. CDs are fine, I get most of my online purchases from Europadisc, who, I hope, are UK based and pay their taxes. Books and downloads are another matter, as I can think of no alternative volume seller of books online and all the download stores I can think of are overseas operations.

P