The Rough Guide Classical Music: 100 Essential Cds (Rough Guides)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent way to add to your collection
Review: As with any choice there are going to be works missing, performances you love which aren't here, and odd selections. This book contains all of those but still gives a good balance of classic performances, contemporay pieces and a range of prices. For example, Bach is represented by period performances and Glen Gould. There are recomendations for music from the earliest Western Traditions to contempory composers. Conductors and orchestras from around the world are listed in a sensible way. In addition there are notes on the composers and pieces recommended which are informative. It is an excellent way to start a collection or to suppliment an already existing one. The discs are available in Europe and North America (I buy through Amazon!). There is an equally good Rough Guide to Opera CDs.