The Bach Guild has a new MP3 release for the holidays, the “Big Christmas Box”, featuring classical recordings from the old Vanguard label. Included are a massive collections of works at 281 tracks. The Nutcracker, Messiah, various choral works, Bach’s Magnificat in D. All this for the bargain price of $0.99. Yep. 99 cents for over 13 hours of music. And these are not no-name performers, all were well-regarded in the 1960’s when most of these recordings were made. And for the price, this is the bargain of the year.

A complete listing at the Bach Guild website.

Here is a listing of some of the works and albums on the set:

• Music Box of Christmas Carols Music Boxes from the Bornand Collection Canterbury Choristers / Dr. Newell B. Wright
• Alfred Deller Christmas Carols Part 1 and 2
• German Christmas Songs
• Christmas Eve at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
• 18th Century Christmas I Soloisti di Zagreb / Antonio Janigro
• Bach: Magnificat in D Vienna State Opera Orchestra / Vienna State Opera Choir
• Christmas Music for the Nativity Parts 3 and 4
• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker (Ballet), Op.71 Utah Symphony Orchestra / University of Utah Chorus / Maurice Abravanel
• Bach: OrgelbuchleinChristmas, BWV 603-612; New Years Day, BWV 613-615 Anton Heiller
• Handel: Messiah Margaret Price / Yvonne Minton English Chamber Orchestra / Johannes Somary