CBS Records (now Sony/BMG) had a great classical series of reissued recordings called 'Great Performances'. This was by far the best of the budget classical series of the 1980's. These are digitally remastered analog recordings from the late 1950's up to the early 1970's. I highly recommend them, and do not think you can go wrong with any of these recordings. The series features conductors Bernstein, Ormandy and Szell with the NY Phil, Cleveland Orch, Philadelphia Orch, and many soloists. Just a great series, each with a small booklet with information about the works and composers, a nice touch that seems to be lacking in some newer budget lines.
The CBS Great Performances Series has been partially discontinued, or had the recordings rolled into the Sony 'Essential Classics' series. However, many, of these compilations were issued on CD and many are now available as MP3s. The average cost is under $10, and every recording is from very good to excellent. All of the 100 volumes are shown, and some of the out of print issues are still available used or in the MP3 format.
The links go to the original edition, alternate links forward to newer or in-print editions, and MP3 albums go to the downloadable version of the album, either in original form or the newer releases. Some of the later volumes had some peculiar pairings that were never duplicated in CD form, so there may be several alternate links to find all of the works.
Sony issued a similar series, 'Essential Classics', in the 90's, You can visit the listing page here.
Bryce Bachman was kind enough to provide me with scans of all of the original cover art. While some LP artwork is available thru Amazon, some of the covers are next to impossible to locate, so they are posted here for those looking for artwork for their collection. Thanks also to Jason B. for the Brahms artwork.
FYI - Links go to the Amazon Store. The iTunes buttons link to the album or a newer release of the same or similar works.
The CBS Great Performances Series has been partially discontinued, or had the recordings rolled into the Sony 'Essential Classics' series. However, many, of these compilations were issued on CD and many are now available as MP3s. The average cost is under $10, and every recording is from very good to excellent. All of the 100 volumes are shown, and some of the out of print issues are still available used or in the MP3 format.
The links go to the original edition, alternate links forward to newer or in-print editions, and MP3 albums go to the downloadable version of the album, either in original form or the newer releases. Some of the later volumes had some peculiar pairings that were never duplicated in CD form, so there may be several alternate links to find all of the works.
Sony issued a similar series, 'Essential Classics', in the 90's, You can visit the listing page here.
Bryce Bachman was kind enough to provide me with scans of all of the original cover art. While some LP artwork is available thru Amazon, some of the covers are next to impossible to locate, so they are posted here for those looking for artwork for their collection. Thanks also to Jason B. for the Brahms artwork.
FYI - Links go to the Amazon Store. The iTunes buttons link to the album or a newer release of the same or similar works.
