Henle - Paperbound vs. Clothbound???

[felval]

Hey Everyone,

I was just checking out some Henle editions for some books I want to get.  Henle is already expensive, but is the extra $$$ for the clothbound editions worth it?  Any comments? 

Also, does anyone recommend the Henle Study Score editions?  What's special about those?

Thanks!

[SteinwayTony]

Don't bother with the clothbound Henle editions unless you're sure that it is the best edition you have of a particular piece, and that you plan to keep it for a long time.  They're also convenient because they stay open on the music rack. 

The study scores are practical if you're analyzing music and don't want a gigantic blue book in front of you; they are the exact prints that Henle uses, but the paper is smaller and less expensive.  For the standard editions, Henle uses thick, costly cream-colored paper that is both easy on the eyes and opaque enough so that you can't see the notes on the other side of the page.  I would only buy a study score for a non-piano work that I have to analyze for class; these usually end up being string quartets.  If it's for piano, you might as well buy the full size so you don't go blind at the keyboard.

[Alde]

I have had Henle editions in both paperbound and clothbound for over 20 years.  The clothbound does not last and the paperbound is even worse.
Don't waste your money on clothbound!

[SteinwayTony]

That reminds me about special care for Henle books.  Even if you buy the paperbound books, they are quite expensive but are generally worth the money.  They are well-informed, scholarly, and, most importantly, very clean editions.  Therefore you will want to protect your investment in one way or another.  Henle sells vinyl covers that are specifically sized to fit their paperbound books (all sizes except horizontal books).  I have several of them and I swear by them.  They keep the book clean, the cover stays that attractive shade of dark blue, and it protects them from damage.  They are $3 each, pretty costly, so I only buy them for the larger books which are more likely to take a beating (entire collections of Sonatas, for instance).  Another option is to protect the covers with a special clear tape that is used to cover books.

I myself haven't been around for 20 years, so I can't say whether or not mine will last that long.   I can tell you that my teacher's Henle editions, which are well over 20 years old, are in great shape.  She doesn't bother with the covers, but she does transport them in plastic bags when she leaves the house.  I would assume that if you display a good degree of effort in trying to maintain the books, they will hold up nicely.

[felval]

Thanks.  I appreciate the comments.

I found that sheetmusicplus.com has a 20% off sale on all Henle.  I also noticed that clothbound books are shipped 1-2 weeks from ordering while most of the paperbound ones ship in 24hrs.  I guess they have to special order the clothbound or something!

And, for example, the WTC is edited by a different person be it the paperbound or clothbound edition.

[SteinwayTony]

Buyers beware when ordering from Sheet Music Plus.  I've had problems with them in the past, and now I'd rather play Mozart with the pedal held down than deal with them again.

Any time I had a Henle edition in my order, the order was automatically delayed by 3 or 4 weeks.  I complained about it numerous times and all they told me was "it has to ship to us from our supplier first."  Baloney.  I'd rather buy from someone who actually has what they are advertising. 

[felval]

So what online supplier would you recommend then?

[SteinwayTony]

www.hutchinsandrea.com
www.pianoatpepper.com
www.burtnco.com *

* My personal supplier.