Why is Classical Music so cheap?

[aphex]

I love it.... Brandsmart sells most of the classical cd's for $2.88, and they have hundreds of em... Most stores still em real cheap too though...

Is it because the composers are typically dead and the orchestra's performing are getting paid normally?

 

[Descartes]

Actually, many quality classical works are quite expensive. You can get a lot of cds for cheap, but they're generally not of high quality (I say generally, there are a few gems).

 

[Cycad]

I believe they can be performed by any symphany so there are a lot of people making these CD's and there probably aren't copyrights for the classical stuff or if there are they are cheap to get ahold of. That said, there are many different levels for these CD's. I bet to buy a CD of a good philharmonic performing these songs is much more expensive than a CD of some highschool kids playing the same songs.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Two words: public domain.

Although there are clearly performance and recording quality differences among identical pieces.

 

[aphex]

True....

 

[FreshPrince]

that's kinda like work...

why is it in some cases are there more educated people getting paid less?

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: Descartes
Actually, many quality classical works are quite expensive. You can get a lot of cds for cheap, but they're generally not of high quality (I say generally, there are a few gems).

Agreed.

 

[eviltoon]

Yeah public domain is good enough for me. But I should add that there are huge differences in the wayclassical music can be interpretated. The cheap cd's are either very old recordings of not so hot orchestras or conductors or new recordings by run of the mill, competent musicians. Some labels have their own house orchestra that bangs out numerous works and puts lots of titles onto their label.

True classical music affectionados (sp?) get really excited by the conductor, who can really influence the dynamics and sound of a piece. Or maybe the appearance of a noted soloist. But for the average listener, who isn't comparing one recording over the other, the cheap recordings are great.

I don't know for sure, but a handful of classically trained musicians and 256 track studio recording devices...it wouldn't be too hard to make 1 or 2 violins sound like 16. Do everything in one take, fix up the errors digitally. could be pretty cost effective.

 

[Lager]

Classical music = timeless.

 

Because there isn't a huge market of kids willing to pay 18 bucks a cd?

 

[0roo0roo]

look at the DDD ADD or whatever marking. i believe it stands for recording/editing/mastering. A is analog/D is digital obviously. many cheap classical cds are ADD or even worse AAD. they are from tape! u got it! ick! not to mention those cds are recorded from orchestras like 20-30 years ago in chekawatzitstan, by some sorry orchestra... there are plenty of expensive classical cds out there. cheapie bundle cds are alright, but you get what you pay for.

 

[Chaotic42]

It's a great way to find out which kinds of classical music you like.

That said, it can be expensive. I paid $35 for a CD from Moscow.

Edit: As for the question, my guess is low demand. I mean, if TRL started playing Mozart, not only would I finally watch MTV, but sales would soar, and prices would go up. Best to keep it a secret

 

[ViRaLRuSh]

Originally posted by: aphex
I love it.... Brandsmart sells most of the classical cd's for $2.88, and they have hundreds of em... Most stores still em real cheap too though...

Is it because the composers are typically dead and the orchestra's performing are getting paid normally?

Cause most the composers have been dead for 50 years, making their work generally free to the public.

 

[pukemon]

Well think of the cheap records as "bargain bin classical" because that's exactly that. The difference is that many people really won't know the difference or care whether a world class orchestra with a world class conduction performed the piece or some 3rd rate no name orchestra from podunk did. so the cheapie ones can be cheap. also cuz the dead white haired guys have been dead a long loooooong time. ;-)

 

[johnjohn320]

The bigger performers are not cheap.

EDIT: As for the copyright, the public domain bit is true I think to some extent, but the works ARE copyrighted in some form, you can't just take a Beethoven Sonata and stick your name on it. And Beethoven's decendants still get royalties from his music.

 

[Imdmn04]

lower demand, because more people are willing to pay to listen to britney spears than to chopin.

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
The bigger performers are not cheap.

EDIT: As for the copyright, the public domain bit is true I think to some extent, but the works ARE copyrighted in some form, you can't just take a Beethoven Sonata and stick your name on it. And Beethoven's decendants still get royalties from his music.

Pretty sure that's not true. Beethoven's works are in the public domain and you can use them without paying royalties to anyone.

Edit: I forgot about ASCAP who actually does control some of Beethoven's stuff.

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: aves2k

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
The bigger performers are not cheap.

EDIT: As for the copyright, the public domain bit is true I think to some extent, but the works ARE copyrighted in some form, you can't just take a Beethoven Sonata and stick your name on it. And Beethoven's decendants still get royalties from his music.

Pretty sure that's not true. Beethoven's works are in the public domain and you can use them without paying royalties to anyone.

Edit: I forgot about ASCAP who actually does control some of Beethoven's stuff.

Well, I just used Beethoven as an example, I know it's different from composer to composer. All I'm saying is you can't outright steal a composition, and royalties usually do exist somewhere along the line.

 

[Descartes]

I disagree with the references to "podunk" orchestras. Some of the better orchestras I've heard are not well known. One of the best Mozart Requiem productions I've ever heard was in my hometown Tulsa! A LOT of it is simply due to the recording itself. I have a production of Beethoven's 7th Symphony (cd) where I can hear birds!

I buy almost anything from the Academy of Ancient Music, and especially if conducted by Christopher Hogwood. You can generally go by artist as well, but try to avoid those "all in one" productions. Itzhak Perlman, for example, is an incredible musician obviously, but all the mixed productions I've found were suffering in quality.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
look at the DDD ADD or whatever marking. i believe it stands for recording/editing/mastering. A is analog/D is digital obviously. many cheap classical cds are ADD or even worse AAD. they are from tape! u got it! ick! not to mention those cds are recorded from orchestras like 20-30 years ago in chekawatzitstan, by some sorry orchestra... there are plenty of expensive classical cds out there. cheapie bundle cds are alright, but you get what you pay for.

at the same time, many of the world's greatest violinists lived centuries ago, and the recordings back then that are still sold today are poor. now we have people like itzhak perlman, pinkus zukerman.

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
look at the DDD ADD or whatever marking. i believe it stands for recording/editing/mastering. A is analog/D is digital obviously. many cheap classical cds are ADD or even worse AAD. they are from tape! u got it! ick! not to mention those cds are recorded from orchestras like 20-30 years ago in chekawatzitstan, by some sorry orchestra... there are plenty of expensive classical cds out there. cheapie bundle cds are alright, but you get what you pay for.

at the same time, many of the world's greatest violinists lived centuries ago, and the recordings back then that are still sold today are poor. now we have people like itzhak perlman, pinkus zukerman.

Heh, I don't think there are any recordings from centuries ago....recording technology didn't exist back then.

 

[KenGr]

Lower overhead. Much less drug and alcohol cost.

 

[luvya]

Cheap classical music is great! I am talking about Naxos mainly..
DG and EMI recording can sometimes be very expensive, especially DG!
This thread reminds me that I haven't spent any money on classical music CD for 2 months already!