Modern Technology

[maestrob]

In this golden age of recorded music, how has streaming changed or influenced your relationship to recorded music?

For more than 120 years, the pride of ownership of a great performance has been a main driver of the recorded music industry, as first the wealthy and soon the rest of us were driven to acquire recordings of great performers to not only relive and enjoy for ourselves, but to display to our families and guests. Huge libraries have been established and funded both privately and with public money to house immense collections of everything from piano rolls to single-sided 78rpm shellac discs and SACDs.

Suddenly, much of this music is now available for a few $$ in monthly fees from various sources, making a massive collection of hard copies irrelevant to many people who wish to enjoy great music of whatever genre. Many acquaintances have ditched their hard copies altogether, while younger people call CD collecting and high fidelity hard copies "old fashioned" and refuse to purchase them.

So, how has all this change affected your relationship to your experience of music? Is this latest technological "advance" signaling the death knell of the music collector? How often do you return to "old favorites," or do you obsessively seek out new and better performances of familiar works, exploring new repertoire along the way? How much of your listening time is spent nowadays with your collection of hard copies vs. streaming platforms?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Comments welcome.

[Febnyc]

Interesting issue.

I do not stream at all.

Just as I do not read books on a tablet or other device.

I like to be hands-on. Holding a book, turning the pages, feeling its heft.

Similarly, with music. Unfortunately, I no longer own any vinyl. I listen exclusively to CDs and need to have the program notes available to help me, where and when needed, with insights into the composer and the music.

Perhaps, and I would indeed agree, that this approach is "old fashioned" - but that doesn't matter. I am pretty old-fashioned in many areas myself. I cringe when I see a classical piece referred to as a "song." But I realize I come from a different age and I don't denigrate the new availability from streaming platforms. And I understand the tidal evolution in listening practice. And so it will go as technology evolves and generations march along. My grandchildren look wide-eyed upon my thousands of CDs up in the loft room where I listen to music.

As for the works themselves - I constantly seek out new and, to me, unknown music. I enjoy finding unsung composers and giving them a go. Nevertheless, as I load my 5-disc CD player, usually one or two of the slots contains an "old favorite." My collection is "horizontal" in that I have few duplicate performances of the same work.

I rarely seek out better performances of established pieces. I'm generally content with my choices.

So, while I usually keep up with advances in tech, my "relationship" with recorded music has not changed since I purchased my first LP at The Record Hunter - back in the horse-and-buggy days.

[Rach3]

My practice pretty much like Febnyc,although I do retain the 300 or so lps I had acquired by the time cds arrived , and I still listen to some of those lps.I do listen to a lot of real time or archived live concerts/recitals on BBC Radio 3, RTBF Musique 3,Netherlands Radio 4, Radio France Musique,Medici TV if free, WQXR, my local PBS radio,and do follow up tips here and elsewhere for new works/new composers which I usually acquire as a 320kbps download from Presto if like what I hear, rather than use Spotify and rather than acquire a physical cd.Of some works I have multiple recordings , but my collection is mainly horizontal.Probably have about 500 physical cds and another 70GB of various commercial, radio broadcast,and private recordings on my Mac’s HD.

I fondly recall in 1964 visiting in person The Record Hunter store on 5th Ave. in midtown NYC and acquiring the RCA box of the Brahms Violin Concerto with Heifetz/Reiner/CSO. Record Hunter used to send out a catalog my parents received

[Lance]

I tend to follow somewhat in the footsteps of Febnyc and Rach3. I want the physical CD, am not terribly interested in the "new technology." After collecting LPs since age 16 and moving to CDs in the mid-1980s, at this point in life, my huge collection of LPs largely sits untouched because most of the "good stuff" has been transferred to CD. Unlike others, I need multiple choices of the world's most beloved repertoire, especially regarding collaborations, pianists, violinist, singers, and other instrumentalists. I am artist oriented, perhaps influenced because I do radio programs (as I have done now for 56 years), but also, individual artists offer us interesting and effective musical interpretive ideas. This, of course, can truly get out-of-hand (due to quantity), but for lifetime pleasure, it doesn't matter. I also realize we are living in constantly changing times. Younger people are attracted to new technologies ... it is tantamount to the grey heads who love to go to the opera house, which are declining year after year, versus sitting at home and watching an opera on a 65-inch TV (as I read recently in an article), put your feet up, relax, eat, drink, etc. while watching at home. While there is nothing like LIVE music, the next step is the CD, DVD, downloading (for those who want this), and keeping track of all the modern technology downloads you have accumulated. As technology changes, perhaps the current technological way will also disappear the way the cylinder, 78-rpm disc, tape, LP, CD (which the latter is seemingly doing), and as long as we grey/white-heads have our CD players or LP turntables, we will personally be happy! In the end, I guess I am "old-fashioned!" ♫

[Belle]

I never buy music through Spotify or elsewhere as I need to have 'hardware' I can put into a top quality hi fi system. I paid a small fortune for it!! Besides, I don't trust technological reliability or consistency. Who wants to keep re-inventing the wheel?

[Lance]

Well said - in a few words! I don't stream either. It hasn't bothered me in any way - yet.

I never buy music through Spotify or elsewhere as I need to have 'hardware' I can put into a top quality hi fi system. I paid a small fortune for it!! Besides, I don't trust technological reliability or consistency. Who wants to keep re-inventing the wheel?

[Lance]

BRIAN! Look what you started!!!

[Febnyc]

I fondly recall in 1964 visiting in person The Record Hunter store on 5th Ave. in midtown NYC and acquiring the RCA box of the Brahms Violin Concerto with Heifetz/Reiner/CSO. Record Hunter used to send out a catalog my parents received

That was a great place to spend a couple of hours, just rummaging through the bins.

NYC, if you recall, was replete with record-and-then-CD stores: Three or four Tower Records; a couple of HMVs; two or so Virgin Records; J&R Music World; and various other one-offs.

There's not much left: Academy Records (NYC) and the Princeton Record Exchange (Princeton NJ) come to mind as still in existence. The former is strictly used LPs and CDs; the latter has some new vinyl (non-classical, at eye-popping prices).

Dinosaurs.

[Lance]

Ah - NYC in those grand old days - The Record Hunter, Sam Goody's (50% off sales!) and a few specialty shops I used to visit for really rare LPs - and cannot think of the name of it at the moment. Seems as there was a Chambers Record store - maybe in the village. I used to make regular trips to NYC either by Greyhound or drive - and come home with bags of LPs all purchased at the right price. It was all fun, too. I would stay at my sister's lovely apartment on East 70th Street, enjoy the cafes and restaurants. Where have those days gone?

[Febnyc]

Ah - NYC in those grand old days It was all fun, too. I would stay at my sister's lovely apartment on East 70th Street, enjoy the cafes and restaurants. Where have those days gone?

Yes, Lance - nice memories.

[Lance]

Indeed, at least we have fond memories. It seems everything else is going down the ... toilet! The current generation is losing out much today in my way of thinking. The world is moving at a very fast pace ... too fast. The good thing is, that as we get older, we are slowing it down to our own pace. I'll take that!

Ah - NYC in those grand old days It was all fun, too. I would stay at my sister's lovely apartment on East 70th Street, enjoy the cafes and restaurants. Where have those days gone?

Yes, Lance - nice memories.

[Belle]

When recently in Auckland, New Zealand, I discovered an excellent CD shop. It had a huge number of CDs and I didn't know where to start. The one knowledgeable staff member was the owner and she was busy chewing on her lunch whilst on the move.

It's funny that when you want particular CDs you forget what they are when you walk into a shop!! More annoying than funny.

[Lance]

Yes, I have run into this same thing, rather than repertoire I forget, I seem to better remember the performing artists I want to seek. I know one person you won't forget, Ms. Belle: IGOR LEVIT! And neither will I. However, these days it is much easier to immediately go to the computer while thinking of something you want, click on a website such as Amazon or Presto - and seek and ye shall immediately find! Just have your credit card ready.

When recently in Auckland, New Zealand, I discovered an excellent CD shop. It had a huge number of CDs and I didn't know where to start. The one knowledgeable staff member was the owner and she was busy chewing on her lunch whilst on the move.

It's funny that when you want particular CDs you forget what they are when you walk into a shop!! More annoying than funny.

[maestrob]

Judging by the responses here, we are all deeply attached to our CD collections, as it should be.

Part of CD collecting, though, is adding new titles, and I've found an advantage in streaming them first as a sort of preview. I try to hear two new releases daily from the best reviewed. If I'm impressed by what I hear, I can then add the new title to my collection with confidence. Back in the days of 78RPPM records, we used to pile into the local record store and listen to new releases. Now, thankfully, we can do the same. In this way new technology compliments the old, and I get to keep up with what's being issued for a small $$ subscription fee. A win/win!

As for youtube, there is much enjoyable historical material there: I listen to at least 1-2 concerts each week, alomg with many posted in these pages from France, the Netherlands and, of course the British Isles.

This means that I am now spending roughly 50% of my listening time with my CD/DVD collection, even while adding to it at a snail's pace (1-2 new titles weekly).

CDs are like hardback books: fulfilling to hold, interact with and play. I'm always checking the notes for one reason or another (as well as online), and the sound quality can't be beaten by any format. There is surely a certain satisfaction in owning a copy of a great performance that streaming will never satisfy.

[Belle]

Yes, technology is great for 'reviewing' before buying. That's what I've been doing for quite a while now - as well as recommendations here at CMG, eg. Ormandy's "Symphonic Dances" by Rachmaninov (which the Auckland CD shop didn't have!).

[Ricordanza]

This means that I am now spending roughly 50% of my listening time with my CD/DVD collection, even while adding to it at a snail's pace (1-2 new titles weekly).

What is slower than a snail? I add to my CD collection around 1 or 2 titles annually.

In response to the original question, my use of modern technology is limited. When I listen in the family room of my house, I have a receiver, CD and DVD player, turntable, TV, and speakers. None of this is connected to a computer, so I use this set-up to listen to CDs, LPs (very occasionally), Music Choice on Verizon TV, and Philadelphia's classical radio station.

In my home office, I have a laptop with a couple of small speakers, and that's where I watch/listen to YouTube.

Then there's my iPhone, which contains a fair amount of music purchased from iTunes. I'll listen to that when I take a walk.

But my favorite way to listen is at a live concert and, as long as I'm able to do so, I will keep going to concerts across the river in Philadelphia.

[Lance]

Nothing like LIVE music, and especially in Philadelphia, New York or anywhere where you have among the finest ... but if you don't, your CD collection will come in very handy - and you don't have to go out into the cold, park your car (and hope it's still there when you go home), or put up with Covid things.

[diegobueno]

I prefer to have the physical carrier in my hand. I still have all my LPs, going all the way back to the 1960s. They're part of my life. Just their physical presence is a connection to my earliest memories. Sometimes I look through used record stores to find discs that I was attached to as a child. I recently found an LP "Jack Teagarden, Swinging Down in Dixie" that I remember when I was really really little. I'm now collecting jazz recordings on LP.

For classical music I like CDs. I enjoy finding music on YouTube for instant gratification, but if it's something I really like and want to always have I'll get it on CD. A CD will never interrupt the music with ads. Streaming services always start out with something you want and then wander off to something you weren't interested in.

[maestrob]

Belle brought up the interesting sub-topic of upgrading our hardware so we can listen to streaming services through our hi-fi systems, making those ephemeral sound waves competitive (almost) with the sound on CDs. I did this two years ago, buying a new computer and Sony receiver with Bluetooth (easy to install, for me at least). This has improved my relationship to streaming Spotify & youtube, even though the sound from these sources is not up to CD quality.

From what I've been reading here, not many of us have upgraded this way, so I wonder if anyone is contemplating such a move, if only to sample new releases without plunking down hard $$$ for hard copies? Headphones of good quality connected to your computer are certainly a step in the right direction, but I wonder also how many of us spend time with music through headphones at home vs. during traveling with portable devices such as phones?

Bluetooth sound is really awfully good these days, with barely a single glitch in the transmission during a couple of hours' listening time.

[Belle]

In convincing me to outlay many thousands on a hi-fi system back in 2016 (I didn't need much convincing) my dealer told me that sound is 'compressed' on streaming services. However, at my stage in life with hearing loss, this has gradually become less important. Good equipment will consign all quality reservations to the periphery. Besides, our internet reception just isn't consistently reliable enough here! How fortunate for you in the USA in not having to deal with that!!

My sister in Sydney bought an internet 'receiver' for international FM radio and she often listens to jazz on American stations. She also bought top quality Bowers & Wilkins speakers similar to mine, but smaller, and this sounds excellent. Good acoustic environments in the home help too!

[maestrob]

In convincing me to outlay many thousands on a hi-fi system back in 2016 (I didn't need much convincing) my dealer told me that sound is 'compressed' on streaming services. However, at my stage in life with hearing loss, this has gradually become less important. Good equipment will consign all quality reservations to the periphery. Besides, our internet reception just isn't consistently reliable enough here! How fortunate for you in the USA in not having to deal with that!!

My sister in Sydney bought an internet 'receiver' for international FM radio and she often listens to jazz on American stations. She also bought top quality Bowers & Wilkins speakers similar to mine, but smaller, and this sounds excellent. Good acoustic environments in the home help too!

FWIW: Sound quality on CDs is also compressed by about 20-25 dB, so you have a dynamic range of about 60dB on average. Streaming services, I've found, don't allow for the "explosion" of transient chords, for example, but their automatic algorithms still do a pretty good job nowadays. You just don't get the sudden impact of a CD. Still, I find it good enough for an intelligent preview.

[Belle]

Oh, OK. These technical details are way beyond my pay grade!

Our internet services aren't reliable enough even for the Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall. And our country has spent billions on a national broadband roll-out!!
This involved eye-watering debt.

[Febnyc]

You just don't get the sudden impact of a CD. Still, I find it good enough for an intelligent preview.

You said it better and more concisely than I could have. I use the short samples in the websites of the vendors, or the labels themselves, to preview and see if the unknown-to-me music fits in my listening range, i.e. not too much atonality. But good enough only for a sampling, and also subsequently to lighten my wallet - more often than not.

[Belle]

Apropos technology more broadly; my son works occasionally on Barrow Island, off the Western Australian mainland, and in the Pilbara region - which is the desert - where temperatures are sometimes 52C. He said Starlink provides internet services where mining workers can access the internet anywhere in the most remote places of Australia!! Imagine listening to Beethoven #9 in the absolute remote reaches of the Simpson Desert?!! Amazing.