Where you go shopping for classical music CDs may well be determined by what kind of classical music CDs you're looking for. If you're looking for what are essentially the "greatest hits" of classical music, you should do fine at any online CD store. In fact, unlike with pop music, the more popular a classical piece is, the less you're likely to have to pay for it. Of course, this holds true mostly for recordings which are not as highly regarded in the classical music world. For example, you can get "Super Saver" CDs of music like Beethoven's symphonies, Bach's Fugues, Mozart's symphonies, and so on--but they're likely to be recordings which are considered flawed in some way. The "definitive" recordings (usually with the most famous conductors and beloved soloists) will typically cost twice or even three times as much. Things become even trickier if you venture into more obscure classical music CDs or lesser-known composers. If you're trying to track down every recording ever made of Tosca to compare sopranos, or would happily have 24 different recordings of Mahler's first symphony to compare the brass sound from the first movement and the fourth movement, you'll have to look considerably harder. Even then, you're likely to have to find a specialist for a less common recording--if it's still in print. That makes shopping for used classical music CDs at auction sites one of the best options for serious music lovers. People's tastes are so particular that another serious fan of Romantic era Russian piano concerti may be selling a version of Tchaikovsky's first concerto for a couple of dollars because he didn't like the soloist. You may love the very qualities he didn't like, and enjoy a huge bargain!
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