The Stereo Record Guide
Encyclopedia
The Stereo Record Guide is a series of nine classical discographies
published by the Long Playing Record Library in Blackpool
from 1960-1974.
When volume 1 was published in the fall of 1960, the majority of classical records issued were monaural
. The authors were totally supportive of the new stereophonic recordings
. Their first sentence stated “Let us begin by stating, unequivocally that good stereo on quite modest equipment is infinitely superior, domestically, to any other form of sound reproduction”.
The arrangement of the discographies is alphabetical by composer, except that volume 9 covers anthologies (orchestral music, instrumental music, vocal music, and humor on records) and is organized by artist.
Recordings receive brief critical reviews which consider the music, performance standards, and recorded sound. Manufacturers catalog numbers are included. Records are rated with a star system from *** to *.
Four reviewers compiled these books: Edward Greenfield
, Ivan March, Denis Stevens
, and Robert Layton. Layton joined the reviewers with volume 5-6 (1968), and Stevens left the project after those volumes were published (he died in 2004).
The books sold new for a few dollars each in hardcover
. A complete set in good condition now sells for several hundred dollars on the used book
market.
Two volumes titled A Guide to Bargain Classics (1962-1964) were also compiled by these authors and published by the Long Playing Record Library.
Penguin Books
published three volumes of guides to bargain records (1966,1970 and 1972).
Penguin Books
took over publication of these discographies in 1975, starting with the Penguin Stereo Record Guide. Four decades after the first publication; Greenfield, March, and Layton continue to review thousands of recordings.
Discography
Discography is the study and listing of the details concerning sound recordings, often by specified artists or within identified musical genres...
published by the Long Playing Record Library in Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
from 1960-1974.
When volume 1 was published in the fall of 1960, the majority of classical records issued were monaural
Monaural
Monaural or monophonic sound reproduction is single-channel. Typically there is only one microphone, one loudspeaker, or channels are fed from a common signal path...
. The authors were totally supportive of the new stereophonic recordings
Stereophonic sound
The term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...
. Their first sentence stated “Let us begin by stating, unequivocally that good stereo on quite modest equipment is infinitely superior, domestically, to any other form of sound reproduction”.
The arrangement of the discographies is alphabetical by composer, except that volume 9 covers anthologies (orchestral music, instrumental music, vocal music, and humor on records) and is organized by artist.
| Volume | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1960 |
| 2 | 1962 |
| 3 | 1963 |
| 4 | 1966 |
| 5 A-Mc | 1968 |
| 6 Me-Z | 1968 |
| 7 A-Ma | 1972 |
| 8 Me-Z | 1972 |
| 9 Treasury | 1974 |
Recordings receive brief critical reviews which consider the music, performance standards, and recorded sound. Manufacturers catalog numbers are included. Records are rated with a star system from *** to *.
Four reviewers compiled these books: Edward Greenfield
Edward Greenfield
Edward Greenfield is an English music critic and broadcaster. He joined the Manchester Guardian in 1953, working as a lobby correspondent in the House of Commons. He has been a record critic for the newspaper since 1955, a music critic since 1964, and was chief music critic from 1977 until his...
, Ivan March, Denis Stevens
Denis Stevens
Denis William Stevens CBE was a British musicologist specialising in early music, conductor, professor of music and radio producer....
, and Robert Layton. Layton joined the reviewers with volume 5-6 (1968), and Stevens left the project after those volumes were published (he died in 2004).
The books sold new for a few dollars each in hardcover
Hardcover
A hardcover, hardback or hardbound is a book bound with rigid protective covers...
. A complete set in good condition now sells for several hundred dollars on the used book
Used book
A used book or secondhand book is a book which has been owned before by an owner other than the publisher or retailer, usually by an individual or library....
market.
Two volumes titled A Guide to Bargain Classics (1962-1964) were also compiled by these authors and published by the Long Playing Record Library.
Penguin Books
Penguin Books
Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
published three volumes of guides to bargain records (1966,1970 and 1972).
Penguin Books
Penguin Books
Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
took over publication of these discographies in 1975, starting with the Penguin Stereo Record Guide. Four decades after the first publication; Greenfield, March, and Layton continue to review thousands of recordings.