Mozart Symphonies Bargain

There are quite a few CD shops out there which seem to specialize in selling European and Canadian imports to customers in the U.S., often at a great discount. I've always been skeptical of these companies, though they have good feedback ratings on Amazon and eBay. But when this deal came along, I took the plunge and am entirely satisfied.

Trevor Pinnock is a conductor famous for founding The English Concert and specializing in period-instrument performances, a practice I think quite worthwhile and enjoyable. Under Deutsche Grammophon's Archiv label, Pinnock and the English Concert have produced a complete set of Mozart's symphonies, praised by the Penguin Guide as "an obvious primary recommendation for those wanting period-instrument performances." The playing "has polish and sophistication, fine intonation, spontaneity and great vitality" and there is "clear, well-balanced sound throughout."

This 11-CD set fetches $88 at Amazon. Make a visit to MyMusic.com, however, and you can get the Canadian edition for $29.99. I got mine in the mail a few days ago, and it is identical to the American edition in all ways except the cover. Well-packaged, shipped quickly, highly recommended.