No question about it. Hong Kong is the classical music CD collector's paradise. When the music retail industry is so-called floundering, there is still a lot of life left in the former Crown Colony. Just head to the Lady's Market (Tung Choi Street) at Mong Kong (leave the MTR station at Exit E near Bank Centre, and walk down 2 short blocks), you'll find these three independent retailers with a wide range of classical CDs at knockdown prices.
Walk along the five-foot way on the right, and the first shop is
MUSIC RAINING. Its speciality is Made in China pressings (by Polo Arts, all legal) of established labels, such as Deutsche Grammophon, RCA Red Seal, Sony Classical - great for collectors of classical nostalgia. Pollini's DG recording of Beethoven's
Late Sonatas (2CDs) retail at HK$48, about SGD 8.60. No credit cards, only cash accepted!
The interior of Music Raining.
Just a couple of doors away is
THE BEAT RECORDS. Prices are slightly higher here, but it is positively the cheapest place to buy the RCA Living Stereo 60 CD box-set, retailing at HK$ 680 (about SGD 122). All other independent retailers sell it at HK$720, while HMV is pricey at HK$899. No credit cards, only cash accepted.
Interior of The Beat Records.
Just a few more doors down is
WIN WIN SHOP, probably the best of the three shops. It has the widest range of classical CDs and has a good range of box-sets. Most full-priced CDs retail at HK$108 (SGD 19.40), and Naxos goes for HK$46 (SGD 8.25). My pick of the crop is the 8 CD Alicia de Larrocha EMI Icons boxset at HK$280 (SGD 50).
Doorway of Win Win Shop
Interior of Win Win Shop.
No question about it. Hong Kong is the classical music CD collector's paradise. When the music retail industry is so-called floundering, there is still a lot of life left in the former Crown Colony. Just head to the Lady's Market (Tung Choi Street) at Mong Kong (leave the MTR station at Exit E near Bank Centre, and walk down 2 short blocks), you'll find these three independent retailers with a wide range of classical CDs at knockdown prices.
Walk along the five-foot way on the right, and the first shop is MUSIC RAINING. Its speciality is Made in China pressings (by Polo Arts, all legal) of established labels, such as Deutsche Grammophon, RCA Red Seal, Sony Classical - great for collectors of classical nostalgia. Pollini's DG recording of Beethoven's Late Sonatas (2CDs) retail at HK$48, about SGD 8.60. No credit cards, only cash accepted!
The interior of Music Raining.
Just a couple of doors away is THE BEAT RECORDS. Prices are slightly higher here, but it is positively the cheapest place to buy the RCA Living Stereo 60 CD box-set, retailing at HK$ 680 (about SGD 122). All other independent retailers sell it at HK$720, while HMV is pricey at HK$899. No credit cards, only cash accepted.
Interior of The Beat Records.
Just a few more doors down is WIN WIN SHOP, probably the best of the three shops. It has the widest range of classical CDs and has a good range of box-sets. Most full-priced CDs retail at HK$108 (SGD 19.40), and Naxos goes for HK$46 (SGD 8.25). My pick of the crop is the 8 CD Alicia de Larrocha EMI Icons boxset at HK$280 (SGD 50).
Doorway of Win Win Shop
Interior of Win Win Shop.
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Update: Music Raining is now closed, only The Beat Records and Win Win Shop are still in business. The Beat Records still does not accept credit cards.
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