Arranging Classical Records

[FloridaClay]

I have had most of my 78s shelf-sorted to my liking for some time with one exception. I just can’t make up my mind about how to sort the classical and “light classical” recordings; composer? artist? orchestra? label? era recorded?

So I am curious about what other Forum members have found works well for them.

An no, using them for skeet shooting targets is not an acceptable option.

Clay

[OrthoSean]

All of my records are sorted by artist, then by label, then by number.

For example:

Caruso - HMV 52xxx followed by the AGSA series, then the DA series, the VA series, then the Victors, all numbers from lowest to highest. The only exception here is I have single faced issues first followed by double faced issues. It works for me.

Sean

[Orchorsol]

For me: vocal, by artist; instrumental & orchestral, by composer. I don't fine either totally satisfactory though!

I also have them on Excel, which ought to be able to sort them by either (or other fields) - but being a bit old-school, I prefer the list to be printable on A4 so to date, I haven't got it working that way. Roll on the revolution...

[operabass78s]

I have all of mine sorted by performer name, then catalog number listed just for reference. For orchestras I list by orchestra name and put director name in parenthesis for reference. For ensembles, generally that's your choice, I usually sort by the leading name on the label. Alphabetical sorting of course.

[Henry]

My "system" is (very loosely!) based on what I derive from the two main classification schemes used by libraries, the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress. Main categories: Classical, Pop/Jazz, Comedy, Ethnic, etc. Within Classical, arranged alphabetically by composers' last names. In the case of anthology records (containing pieces by two or more composers), which I shelve at the end of the above group, arrangement is also alphabetical, by whichever composer's name comes first in the alphabet. I also have a separate category for solo records, such as trombone, trumpet, oboe (but not piano or voice: nobody ever ever accused me of being consistent!). Within pop/jazz, arrangement is alphabetical by featured performer or bandleader, thus, e.g., Armstrong, Beiderbecke, Dorsey, T., Goodman, Henderson, Hines, Morton, Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Presley, etc., etc. Comedy recordings, as for example Florence Foster Jenkins, Spike Jones, Stan Freiberg, also alphabetical.

Above is for my CD collection. My 78 albums are shelved similarly, except I have far fewer of them. Single 78s I usually arrange within the above categories by principal performer (e.g., Andrews Sisters, Caruso, Galli-Curci, Vaughn Monroe, etc.

Oh well, it works for me---mostly.

[epigramophone]

I use the same system as Orchosol, vocals in artist order and orchestral/instrumental in composer order.

My son and daughter-in-law have suggested that I dispense with my A4 ring binders and do it all on the computer, where everything can be cross-referenced. I have suggested that they take a couple of weeks leave and do it for me

I can certainly see the advantages of a computerised index for jazz and dance band records, where I have several different versions of the most popular numbers. Click on "Tiger Rag" and select the preferred recording. I might then be able to find it

[operabass78s]

I've thought of the computer thing too (I am in programming/information systems), but I prefer my simple alphabetization. It's so much easier when you want to listen to a stack of records, then to have to look up each record individually in a database, find it, then make sure it goes back in the right spot.

[Wolfe]

I try to group them by composer, all works including opera sets and singles, if they apply, so a Beethoven Fidelio disc gets lumped in with all the other works by him.

Problems arise when I have singles with two different composers on each side. In that case I just try to pick the side that I like best.

It's not a perfect system.

[Edisone]

I try to remember where I've stashed new records, and hope for the best.

[OrthoSean]

I try to remember where I've stashed new records, and hope for the best.

As organized as I try to be, new additions can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of things and it ends up being like Christmas when I find them again

Sean