BaL 12.04.25 - Brahms: String sextet 1 in B flat, Op 18

[MickyD]

Once again download only! When will record companies (and BAL reviewers) learn that, whatever may be the case in pop etc, download is not popilar with classical listeners. I doubt if this programme would have influenced me and I will stick with the Lidsays +2.

I quite agree. There should definitely be a CD alternative given.

[vinteuil]

... presto may not offer a CD version - but CDs are available, as eg from amazon:

https://www.amazon.fr/String-Sextets-Nos-1-ENSEMBLE-ensemble/dp/B000PFU8M0/

.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-String-Sextets-Nash-Ensemble/dp/B000PFU8M0

.

[vinteuil]

... I thought it a good BaL - Tasmin Little had the authority to override Andrew McGregor and keep him in his place.

As well as the Nash, she very much liked the Belceas (her second choice) and the Archibudelli, and had good things to say about the Lindsays, the Raphael, the Leipzig, and the Amadeus among others.

.

[LMcD]

I quite agree. There should definitely be a CD alternative given.

Hear! Hear!

[vinteuil]

Once again download only!

.

I quite agree. There should definitely be a CD alternative given.

.

Hear! Hear!

... but the Nash is available on CD - see above

[MickyD]

I meant generally speaking each time only a download version is given.

[gurnemanz]

After decades as a regular, I now rarely listen to BaL due to its inconvenient new slot and the Brahms Sextet has been no exception. I sometimes mean to listen again on Sounds but don't usually get around to it, content to get the gist via comments on here (thank you, fellow posters!)

I may not be typical in now preferring downloads to CDs. Reasons: a) House full b) usually cheaper, often a lot c) my ancient ears can't hear much difference in sound quality d) nice to be able to read playback track details via apps on phone or laptop.

Re Brahms op 18: Based on the Presto list linked to above, the issue is made complicated by there being little rhyme or reason in the playback format offered for favourite versions mentioned above.

Recommended Nash on Onyx: Download only on Presto, but as pointed out, actually is available as CD - cheaper than Amazon direct from Onyx
Belcea CD/Download
Hausmusik - CD/Download
Raphael Ensemble - CD/Download
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble - Download only
Amadeus - Download only
L'Archibudelli - Download only
Berlin Philharmonic Octet - Download only
Leipziger Streichquartett CD only

I have three CD Versions - Raphael, Academy, Berlin Phil - only one of which is now available as such. I won't be buying any more but may well listen to the recommended version and some others via Spotify.

[Roger Webb]

.

.


... but the Nash is available on CD - see above

I would say the CD in question is not 'generally' available. In other words, if you go into your local CD shop (if such a thing exists still) they would be unable to order it for you from a distributor - Presto would have it if it came through a distributor. 'Unavailable' CDs have always been lurking unsold somewhere - many in my old shop - it is merely much easier to locate them now with the internet.

This Brahms seems to be available direct from Onyx at £11.99 plus p and p. They don't quote a price for other territories it seems.

https://onyxclassics.com/release/brahms-the-string-sextets/

I've just added it to my library on Qobuz at 16/44.1 flac for a listen tomorrow.

https://open.qobuz.com/album/eqyfbdjgggftc

BTW the Amazon sites you quote vary in prices for the nine copies (French site) available from €15 plus €3.09 p and p......up to €79.02 plus €9 p and p.........Oh, and the 'cheap' one has a quoted delivery date of October 22nd 2025 - just right for when those Autumn nights draw in!

Edit. This morning, looking at Amazon (UK) again, there seems to be five left, all about £27 and Onyx now lists overseas delivery when 'Buy Direct' is clicked.

[Barbirollians]

Good for Tazza to keep McGregor in his box but just absurd the same work back after 6 years from the last one .

[Alison]

Yes well done Tazza, delightful manner and infectious enthusiasm. Good to hear someone other than Katy Hamilton on Brahms.
Is Paul Watkins still around?

[oliver sudden]

I would say the CD in question is not 'generally' available. In other words, if you go into your local CD shop (if such a thing exists still)…

You have of course put your finger squarely on the problem with the (now pretty much historical) concept of ‘availability’… what does it mean for something to be in principle available from a shop if there is no shop?

I live in a city of a million people where there is no real classical CD retailer. The once-mighty Saturn (two entire floors when I first visited) now has a couple of derisory racks which I only still check out of curiosity as to whether it’s still even there. The once-not-quite-as-mighty-but-still-fairly-impressive Tonger recently ceased entirely to exist, after a few close calls over the last few years. The biggest classical CD offering is at andrä, a used CD (and other media) shop.

[Roger Webb]

You have of course put your finger squarely on the problem with the (now pretty much historical) concept of ‘availability’… what does it mean for something to be in principle available from a shop if there is no shop?

The right week for this discussion (although perhaps not on this thread) as Sat 18th April is Record Store Day, and this week leading up to it is Vinyl Record Week. Both celebrations I think are aimed more at the popular end of the market...a resurgent interest in physical media is more evident than in classical, I think - even cassettes are supposedly making a comeback, and saw someone predicting that Minidisc may be making a comeback!.....I still have my Sony Minidisc player in use for gardening!!

[LMcD]

The right week for this discussion (although perhaps not on this thread) as Sat 18th April is Record Store Day, and this week leading up to it is Vinyl Record Week. Both celebrations I think are aimed more at the popular end of the market...a resurgent interest in physical media is more evident than in classical, I think - even cassettes are supposedly making a comeback, and saw someone predicting that Minidisc may be making a comeback!.....I still have my Sony Minidisc player in use for gardening!!

We no longer have an old-style record shop, but have somehow ended up with two Vinyl Stores in adjacent premises in a side-street!

[Roger Webb]

We no longer have an old-style record shop, but have somehow ended up with two Vinyl Stores in adjacent premises in a side-street!

Perhaps it's a new 'money laundering' scam similar to the proliferation of Turkish barbers!

[soileduk]

Once again download only! When will record companies (and BAL reviewers) learn that, whatever may be the case in pop etc, download is not popilar with classical listeners. I doubt if this programme would have influenced me and I will stick with the Lidsays +2.

https://www.europadisc.co.uk/classical/40366/Brahms_-_The_String_Sextets.htm