Compact Discs, The Penguin Guide to: Completely Revised and Updated (Penguin Guide to Compact Discs, 1999)

Widely regarded as the standard guide to classical music on CD, The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs has been updated to take into account the many hundreds of new and reissued CDs that have appeared in the last three years while also including all the highlights from the back catalog. Arranged by composer, the guide lists the major recordings of each work -- from remastered vintage recordings to the latest releases, from the highest-quality offerings to budget releases -- with evaluations of interpretation and performance by the authors, as well as assessments of recording accuracy and advice on the best buys for cost and quality. This edition includes coverage of new recording enterprises, such as Philip's 100 Great Pianists series, CDs issued to tie in with particular musical anniversaries, entries for several significant but previously little-known composers, and detailed coverage of period-instrument performances. With the best of the previous guide now reevaluated in the light of newer releases, this essential reference work is designed to help you select the very best of recorded classical music available today.