I guess many here will have purchased CDs or downloads from Presto Classical, as I have on many occasions. I have just discovered a recent podcast with an interview with the boss telling the story of Presto over the last 20 years, from the time it was a small financially falling high street shop in Leamington Spa to it’s present status as an international supplier of recordings. There’s fascinating discussion of issues such as what to stock, setting up the website, choosing discs for their annual awards and many other topics. What comes across strongly is that it is an enterprise run by people who love music and are enthusiastic about spreading that love to others. Listening to it was well worth 40 minutes of my time.
I’m not sure if posting a link is within forum rules but googling “Presto music podcast” and clicking one of the links should get you there.
Presto Classical is a very impressive shop. I ordered some CDs of Haitink’s late Bruckner symphonies from Presto a couple of weeks ago. Then ordered exactly the same CDs again, when I received them, as a present for my son.
Fray’s Goldbergs are an amazing accomplishment, I think - he takes the Romantic route but there’s nothing superficial about his approach. On occasion it foreshadows Beethoven’s op. 111. Wonderful sound, too, which captures not just the piano, but the resonance of the cabinet just like when you’re at first row in the concert hall.
