111: The Collector's Editions [111 CDs]

When the sheer size and depth of this massive box set is considered, 111: The Collector's Edition must be regarded more as a necessary addition to a large, comprehensive music library than as a practical item for most classical listeners. The number 111 wasn't chosen at random, because the set -- comprising two previous box sets of 55 and 56 CDs -- marks the 111th anniversary of Deutsche Grammophon, and the 111 CDs housed in the large, squarish package represent some of the finest recordings in the label's history, all reissued here in cardboard sleeves that feature original cover art. Included with the CDs are two large softcover books that offer track lists, essays, and historic photographs, and five facsimiles of sessions' reports give collectors extra value. Yet even though this classical crate can raise the prestige of any collection, it covers much of the material that longtime aficionados and DG's loyal fans might already own, so a detailed run-through of the contents is essential for anyone wishing to avoid duplication.