CD liner notes range from the interesting and useful to the absolutely pointless. I always read all the liner notes in hopes of learning interesting things that shed some light on the music. Discussing the historical significance and development of the work is great and often helps to increase your understanding of the music. But when they "analyze" the music...what is this? "The rousing Allegro in common time is followed by a graceful Andante in the dominant, and the piece is rounded out by a thrilling movement in rondo form." OK... This tells me nothing. All that is is describing the piece in words in the most general possible way. I don't need to read this. I just listened to it. This is nothing but a waste of my time. And while you're at it, it's nice to have a few lines about the artists, but I do not need to know every single school they went to, every conductor they've worked with, every country they've given concerts in, every music festival they've been to, every recording they've made, and every prize they've won. It's not a resume. Or so I say.
My question to you is - what do you think about CD liner notes? Do you read them? What kinds of things do you like to see them contain? What things do you find useless?
And with the Internet now, do think it is even necessary to have liner notes? Would you rather leave out a lot of printed material and save a few dollars on your CD purchases, or do you like to have a hard copy of some relevant information right there with the CD? If it wasn't included, do you think you would research the pieces of music you buy on the Internet (or in books), or do you think you probably wouldn't bother?
My question to you is - what do you think about CD liner notes? Do you read them? What kinds of things do you like to see them contain? What things do you find useless?
And with the Internet now, do think it is even necessary to have liner notes? Would you rather leave out a lot of printed material and save a few dollars on your CD purchases, or do you like to have a hard copy of some relevant information right there with the CD? If it wasn't included, do you think you would research the pieces of music you buy on the Internet (or in books), or do you think you probably wouldn't bother?
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