Arri Bachrach:

>can anybody explain why certain classical CDs are not available in the
>US-

As far as the Naxos titles are concerned, I assume it's because US
copyright still applies to some of the recordings that have been reissued
in the historical series.  In the case of a particular label, it's probably
because some lack a US distributor.

Peter Wisse asked:

>I wonder if the distribution and availability of NAXOS CD's are as poor
>in other coutries, as they are in mine, The Netherlands.

This has driven me mad for years.  If a CD is mentioned in Naxos's monthly
release list - the one posted on its website - it's usually two or three
months before I can get it in Australia.  As I make all my purchases by
mail, the situation may be different in the stores.  There seems to be some
correlation between availability here and appearance in the new release
lists in Gramophone.  Those of us who subscribe to Len Mullenger's Internet
digest of recent reviews will have noticed that the review of a Naxos CD
will usually appear fairly soon after is mentioned on the website, but it
could be that his review team gets advance copies - Len? In Australia, the
majority of CM labels are distributed by the same outfit.  I don't know
whether the problem is with it, or with its overseas sources but whatever
the case, I've developed a high degree of patience when waiting for CDs to
arrive.  The manager of my favourite record store has promised me a bottle
of Dom Perignon if I ever find out just where, for example, the CDs on the
Naxos list I posted the other day will be released in April.  Previous
emails to Naxos's webmaster remain unanswered.  However, it could be worse.
Last week I received a cpo CD I ordered in July 2000.

This is an appropriate time to recommend yet again the excellent
Musica Bona, based in Prague and specialising in Czech CM and labels,
www.musicabona.com.  Their service is outstanding (two weeks from the day
I ordered until the parcel arrived, and I probably live further from Prague
than anyone else in MCML), their prices are attractive, orders of more than
$US100 attract a 10% discount, and they don't charge postage.  If by chance
they don't have a particular title in stock, they can get it quickly,
probably from a few blocks away.  You may find, as I did, that some of your
old Supraphon LPs are again available on CD.  I've also just acquired a
couple of old favourites, the Janacek Quartet-Smetana Quartet Mendelssohn
Octet, once on Westminster, and the Vlach Quartet's Debussy-Ravel.  Their
standard line at the end of an invoice is, "We believe you will be
satisfied." So do I.

Richard Pennycuick
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