INDEPENDENT BOOKS OF THE YEAR This completely new edition of the Penguin Guide reviews the 1000 best classical albums issued and reissued over the past five decades, many of which dominate the catalogue because of their sheer excellence, irrespective of recording dates. More comprehensive than ever before, it indicates key recordings on CD, DVD and enhanced SACD, including those in surround sound. If you want the finest available version of any major classical album you will find it listed and assessed in these pages. Ranging from long-established albums to the newest releases, the latest edition represents the cream of the international repertoire and has all the information you need to select the finest classical music available.

The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings is firmly established as the world's leading guide to recorded jazz, a mine of fascinating information and a source of insightful - often wittily trenchant - criticism. This is something rather different: Brian Morton (who taught American history at UEA) has picked out the 1000 best recordings that all jazz fans should have and shows how they tell the history of the music and with it the history of the twentieth century. He has completely revised his and Richard Cook's entries and reassessed each artist's entry for this book. The result is an endlessly browsable companion that will prove required reading for aficionados and jazz novices alike. 'It's the kind of book that you'll yank off the shelf to look up a quick fact and still be reading two hours later' Fortune 'Part jazz history, part jazz Karma Sutra with Cook and Morton as the knowledgeable, urbane, wise and witty guides ... This is one of the great books of recorded jazz; the other guides don't come close' Irish Times

This new completely revised edition of the Penguin Guidesurveys the major classical recordings issued and reissued over the past five decades, many of which have dominated the catalogue because of their sheer excellence, irrespective of their recording dates. More thorough than ever before, it indicates key recordings on CD, as well as on DVD, with their extra video dimension, and enhanced SACD, including those in surround sound. If you want the finest available version of any major classical work (including DVDs of opera and ballet) you will find it listed and acutely assessed in these pages. THE PENGUIN GUIDE TO RECORDED CLASSICAL MUSIC OFFERS- The pick of the latest releases, as well as all key established recordings The greatest historic recordings, many in outstanding new transfers (including the very first recording of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony) An in-depth survey of the best of the budget-priced CDs, including countless new issues A comprehensive new collection of 'Portraits' of the major artists - singers, conductors and instrumentalists

A thick and informative guide to the world of classical music and its stunning recordings, complete with images from CD cases, concert halls, and of the musicians themselves.

This book finds this familiar group of highly respected critics having compiled a very useful survey of classical music on compact discs and cassettes. The authors discuss the artistic merits and sound quality of each recording in evaluations that are extremely perceptive and educational. Audiophiles will be happy to know that the authors indicate whether or not the recording has been recorded digitally or remastered from an analog original. Those on a budget will appreciate the inclusion of bargain-priced editions. And music lovers in general attempting to navigate the maze of CDs currently available will find this work indispensable.

The Gramophone Classical Music Guide 2011 is the essential guide for music lovers collecting their music on CD, DVD or as a download, drawing on Gramophone magazine's 85-year experience of reviewing classical music on record.Whether you're just dipping a toe into the huge, but rewarding, world of classical music, or already have a substantial collection, The Gramophone Classical Music Guide 2011 is an invaluable companion.

Here, the UK's bestselling classical music magazine presents reviews of the best performances on CD, categorised under chamber music, choral and song, instrumental, opera and orchestral.