Label news: Berlin Phil gets out there
mainThe orchestra has signed a global digital distribution deal with [PIAS], owners of Harmonia Mundi, to secure better visibility for streaming its own-label releases.
PIAS already has the LSO and Mariinsky recordings in its distribution pack.
‘We are all incredibly excited to be working with the Berliner Philharmoniker. Their pedigree is unquestioned, and the quality of repertoire and recordings is spectacular. We look forward to collaborating with their highly innovative team to further expand the orchestra’s global digital business,’ said Katie Ferguson, Director of Streaming Strategy & Business Development for Classical at [PIAS].
Long gone are the days when BPhil was wedded to DG.
It’s the insane prices that are the impediment, not distribution.
BPhil never was wedded exclusively to DG. Only Mormon style. They had always many media wifes.
They published their recordings – audio or audio+video – also through EMI, Telemondial, Unitel, etc. etc. in the past.
Shame though that DG is not the label anymore it used to be in Karajan’s times. When their motto was simply to have all the best artists. Now they have Norwegian violinists and Dutch cellists nobody really knows why they get recording deals, except their visuals implying that DG now is more a modeling agency, rather than a musically focused recording label.
Like many orchestras, the BPO makes their own recordings – hugely overpriced. They’ve made very few DG recordings in recent times (mostly when accompanying somebody). They were on Sony Classical in the ’90s and early 2000’s.