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What Happened to CD Clubs & Stores to Buy CDs?

I feel like I've lived under a rock for the past 2 years. I haven't bought much to add to my library in that time, and now I'm shocked.

There used to be BMG Music Club and Columbia Club. You could get most of the main Classical repertory from them, including box sets of symphonies, etc.

Now, it appears there is a BMG/Sony DVD Club that offers some CDs, but only a fraction of what was a few years ago.

For example, I couldn't find Bernstein's CBS or Solti's London Mahler cycles, except in the UK!

The site is pathetic. It is totally oriented around DVDs/movies, and searches will bring you to other websites, including Amazon.com.

What happened to all the releases of the huge and vast classical repertoire of budget, midprice, full price and sets that were so plentiful? Are they not even in print anymore?

Prices I found are higher than they were 5 years ago. I see basic 2 CD classical releases at prices like $39.95 for a DG Karajan Mahler 9th. Unbelievable.

I didn't even check the jazz repertoire to see what has happened there.

Would someone educate me in my naiveity?
saxo

Showing 1 response by kthomas

kthomas
911 posts
 
Columbia House got bought by BMG, and the sites merged. I don't know how much less selection BMG has vs. earlier years - I have always used the site to "backfill" my collection, as they often have year-old "new releases" and remastered classic albums, and at good prices of course.

I don't listen to or collect classical, so I don't know what the landscape is for acquiring classical music. For rock, jazz, blues, etc., the stores are all gone, replaced by Amazon and the like. The selection is better than it ever was at even the best stores, you have a vast used market that drives the price way down, you can shop, easily, from your own home, and delivery is fast even if it's not instant like at a B&M shop.
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