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Wed, 25 Aug 1999 10:49:24 +1000 |
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I guess Dave's information about the new improved Grove makes most of
us think wistfully that it'd be nice to own, but far too expensive.
However, there may be a silver lining.
I bought the 1954 Grove many years ago in paperback for a price I couldn't
refuse - about $60 Australian for ten hefty volumes. A few years ago, I
sprung for the 20 volume New Grove in paperback for about $700 which sounds
a lot, but per volume cost about as much as a hardcover novel for twice the
physical content (yes, books are hideously expensive here). I use it a
great deal and it really is pretty much the non plus ultra of references
on music.
With a new edition in the offing, it's likely that the current one will be
discounted to make it an even more attractive proposition. The additional
information in the new one would be nice, but one of our fellow listers
will usually know the answer or can point you to a web site to find it,
like Dave's estimable site. So who needs the new one? Buy the current
one when the price comes down. You won't regret it.
Richard Pennycuick
[log in to unmask]
[As the owner of a complete Grove 3, some volumes of Grove 5, and the
complete New Grove in paperback (courtesy of the generous members of
this list a few years back) I tend to agree with Richard. But, as an
inveterate collector of both information and recordings, I am very much
interested in the Newer Grove, if only because of the potential for
expanded works lists. There are so many composers - some of then minor
majors - whose works have never been properly catalogued. I'm hoping
some progress towards rectifying this situation will be made with this
edition. On the other hand, I'm also aware that progress in this
area is understandably slow and deliberate. Researching sources and
cataloguing works of even a modestly prolific composer can represent
a lifetime of effort. Perhaps the thing to do is to compile all of
my questions, then buy a one month access to the online version and
do the research all at once. -Dave]
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