It has been one of unanswered question for me, if there was any specific reason why LP was 12" and of such length as it is. And not for example 11" or 13". Removal or addition of one more 1", it affects the length of album greatly and if originally LP was 13", it probably would have not affected the popularity?
In case of CD, we know by fact, why it was 74 minutes originally. It's all written in history. And why not for example 60 minute disc with 10cm diameter.
So in the end, I can't say was it result of intentional study/research on ideal length, or did it just happen to be so, that LP length, album devided in 2 parts each no more than c. 20 mins length is what captures so strongly. It is long enough to build even most massive compositions, but short enough to do it without negative effects.
The limited of sound range and dynamics not really limits, when you see how ideally nicer CD is being abused to ruin whole spirit of format what it could have. By majority of publishers and artists.
I can admit, that there ARE artists who can freely create and compose their pieces and come up with great results. But in reality it seems as if certain restrictions, physical reality what affects the intent/composition has the positive results.
I admit that certain material is better on CD. Generally, the more quiet minimal stuff where you don't want surface noise. But what I said above, in my perspective affects a lot of artists and their creations and I simply tend to listen vinyl much much more than any other format. In most of cases sole expense of pressing something, is already such a brutal selector that the material will be better than most. Maximum length of individual release is not important to me. I feel that there was a reason why for so long compositions tend to go 20 mins per side style and why it appeals on human brain so well. Therefore LP releases on this field would be most welcomed. Of course there are plenty of old releases to search for, so need for new items perhaps not most urgent...
