Recording Sources

I am often asked where G&S recordings may be obtained. This page attempts to list some of the major sources that can help if selections at stores in your area are skimpy or non-existent. I would like to keep this page up-to-date, so please let me know if any of the information here is incomplete or inaccurate, or if there are other important sources that I've missed.

Sources of New Recordings

Web sites vary in usability. Sometimes, you have to do multiple searches to find all the G&S items. You should look at as many sites as possible before making your purchase. Also, look carefully at what the store charges for shipping & handling. An apparent bargain may not be so after all charges are considered.

A while back, Steven Martin did a search for Sargent/Glyndebourne Ruddigore through a number of web-based record stores, and I added some entries of my own. If you know what you're looking for, the best bet is to start with the first entry in the list, and march down to the more expensive stores until you find what you want. This list is now so old that the prices are no doubt invalid, but you get an indication of how widely they can vary. Be sure to check shipping charges, which can easily make the actual cost a lot higher.

I do not have direct price comparisons for the following sources, but they are all known to be reputable and carry the hard-to-find items many other stores lack.

1. HMV, http://www.hmv.com/ (Canada) and http://www.hmv.co.uk/ (U.K.), also have excellent selections. U.S. buyers should note that Canadian outlets offer favorable prices thanks to the strong exchange rate to the American dollar.

   A&B Sound, http://www.absound.ca/, which offers just about all of the in-print G&S recordings. According to one correspondent, some of them have to be special-ordered (at no extra cost), but they do arrive eventually.

2. 800.com. Jeff DeMarco observed that http://www.800.com has "a fairly good selection at decent prices. They also have frequent coupons. What's more is they don't charge sales tax or shipping in the US."

3. MDT Mail Order. This firm, http://www.mdt.co.uk/ offers a custom, but extremely reasonably priced, mail order service for classical music recordings. I have used the service myself, and I was a satisfied customer.

4. Classic Tracks. If you'd like to talk to a human being or find the web-based stores difficult to navigate, call Classic Tracks in the United Kingdom at 116-253-7700. Callers from the United States must prefix this number with 011-44. They are open (0900-1730) Tuesday to Saturday. The store makes a point of stocking the full range of Sullivan recordings, are familiar with the material, take credit cards, and will ship worldwide. Ask for John Brooks.

5. Footlight Records, http://www.footlight.com/
   This store only sells theatrical soundtracks. They are a specialty shop, and their prices will be the highest of anyone's. However, they will occasionally have some oddball items the other stores lack. In their New York store, you may also find some second-hand items. These are not listed on the web site.

Second-Hand Sources

Auction Sites Many great G&S recordings are no longer in print. Major cities have second-hand record stores (listed below). For those who live elsewhere, Internet auction sites are probably the only way of obtaining a good selection of out-of-print records. Even those who have access to bricks-and-mortar stores may find that auction sites have a better selection, at more reasonable prices.

The king of the auction sites is eBay. On eBay, you are dealing with independent sellers, and while eBay itself offers some mechanisms to protect the consumer, you need to make your own assessment of the seller's reliability.

The most important advice on eBay, or any other auction site, is to understand what you are buying. While most auction sellers are sincere and have no intention of cheating you, they are often ignorant about the value of what they are selling. Assurances that an item is "rare" or "out-of-print" should be treated with skepticism. There are very few out-of-print G&S recordings that should sell for more than about $20-25. If an auction goes higher than that price, you should be very sure that the item is worth that much.

Second-Hand Stores
The following stores carry a selection of second-hand G&S recordings. I myself have shopped at Gryphon and Footlight (but only in person).

1. Gryphon Record Shop
   233 West 72nd Street
   New York, NY 10023
   212-874-1588
   e-mail: gryphonrec@aol.com

   Gryphon has a very comprehensive and complete stock, lacking only some of the rarer items (and even those show up sometimes). You may pay a lower price on eBay or at garage sales, if you can afford to be patient. But, if you're for a given item right now, Gryphon will probably have it.

2. Academy Books and Records
   12 West 18th Street
   New York, NY 10011
   212-242-3000

   Academy has a good selection of G&S records from mostly the 1960s and later.

3. Footlight Records
   113 E. 12th St.
   New York, NY 10003
   212-533-1572

   As mentioned above, this store specializes in theatrical soundtracks. In addition to an excellent selection of new recordings, you'll find a few second-hand G&S recordings there. Nothing to write home about, but worth a visit if you're in New York City.