Universal take-over of EMI
Sun, Sep 23 2012, 9:48PM
So the big gobble-up has happened. We are of course "awaiting further developments" and so it is too early to say very much. I will however say two things-
1. I am so glad I broke the bank in acquiring so many EMI records, especially most of the jumbo-sized EMI boxes - Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Elgar, Vaughan Williams - because what will happen to the world's biggest back catalogue now?
2. As long as they keep their grubby hands off Hyperion!
Mon, Sep 24 2012, 12:18AM
#2
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Put away the paper handkercheifs and stop the crocodile tears. They were a recording company, that is all. They didn't create the artists they just 'owned' them and profited from them. Think about how many great opera line ups we could have had except for artists being signed up 'exclusively' for one label. They have made their money and now they have left the building. Don't shed tears for marketing men, accountants, those in charge of pluging in equipment and those in charge of making the tea etc.
Mon, Sep 24 2012, 3:02AM
#3
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Oh well,I guess we can kiss that EMI Signature series of SACDs goodbye!
Mon, Sep 24 2012, 2:02PM
#4
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Emi, like Philips and most of the moribund "old big" names (RCA, Sony, etc.), has its own circle of life. For the last decades, they've tried "hard" to convince us they still have something of added value to offer. Apparently, it was too little to make the market think otherwise.
So, it's not the "grabby hands" of Universal, taking over the "deflated" Emi, but the ruthless rules of market. Tomorrow, the same thing may happen to any other label, if there is too little for them to produce. Hyperion might not be there, yet, but I'm afraid it's not the same "bright" label it used to be. We'll see...
Parla
Sun, Sep 30 2012, 3:07PM
#5
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
So the big gobble-up has happened. We are of course "awaiting further developments" and so it is too early to say very much. I will however say two things-
1. I am so glad I broke the bank in acquiring so many EMI records, especially most of the jumbo-sized EMI boxes - Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Elgar, Vaughan Williams - because what will happen to the world's biggest back catalogue now?
2. As long as they keep their grubby hands off Hyperion!
Hi Stephen!
Has the ink truly dried yet? Ah, I see that it recently did (on the 28th I believe). Rather sad to see. Perhaps Universal will release some recordings long unavailable or some previously never released? Trying hard to stay *optimistic here! :-(
Did Naxos pick up any of the "historical" bits during this deal? Or perhaps they might in the long run? Some things (CDs and/or downloads) haven't been available to those of us who live in the US due to "possible copyrights issues". Maybe some of this will get sorted out?
*But will probably also be snapping up what I can of EMI's CDs in the meantime!
Best wishes,
Petra
Wed, Oct 3 2012, 1:25AM
#6
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Petra, If you want any Naxos Historical CDs just order them from Presto Classical (prestoclassical.co.uk). The price is good and shipping to the USA is reasonable.
Wed, Oct 3 2012, 8:39AM
#7
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
As I understand it, permission has been given for the takeover of EMI by Universal under several conditions, the important one for us being that EMI Classics will not go to Universal but has to be sold-off separately. I've seen some reports that Naxos may be interested. We'll see!
Chris
See:
http://www.classical-music.com/news/emi%E2%80%99s-sale-universal-approve...
Thu, Oct 4 2012, 10:35PM
#8
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Of course, Chris--temporary brain lapse on my part! Yes, it's the whole EMI Classics (as I also understand it) that needs to be sold off.
Bliss,
Thanks for your suggestion; I have ordered some things from overseas. There are some recordings though that Naxos only has available as a download and at least the one that I am currently interested in is not available to folks in the US due to possible copyrights issues. :-( It's a historical one with Firkusny. :-(
Best wishes,
Petra
Fri, Oct 5 2012, 1:17AM
#9
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Petra, I bet it's the Dvorak, Liszt and Weber one. There's a lot of good stuff that Naxos is now making available as a download only, which of course leaves us in the US out. I see they will be issuing (and have already issued the first volume) three CDs (sold separately) of music of Sibelius conducted by Kajanus. I have it on 78s and LPs but plan to buy them when all three are out.
Fri, Oct 5 2012, 1:17AM
#10
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
2:07 pm Thursday. Greetings forum members from Maui, Hawaii.
Since EMI product may demise following a takeover, I like many others are on an EMI buying binge. Since the closure of the former Borders Books here on Maui, there is no source of new classical cds, and the use of the internet has become my only mode of classical cd acquisition.
The EMI box, "Schubert Lieder on Record - 1898-2012", has been ordered, and is on its way to me. And I ordered 2 more boxes yesterday.
The bank is not yet broken, bit is straining at its seams. Like other classical music listeners I hope that the British Library may be able to takeover all the historical material preserved over the years by EMI, the former HMV, and The Gramophone Company. Irvine Shamrock
Tue, Oct 9 2012, 1:12AM
#11
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Petra, I bet it's the Dvorak, Liszt and Weber one. There's a lot of good stuff that Naxos is now making available as a download only, which of course leaves us in the US out. I see they will be issuing (and have already issued the first volume) three CDs (sold separately) of music of Sibelius conducted by Kajanus. I have it on 78s and LPs but plan to buy them when all three are out.
Bliss,
Bingo! LOL Oooh! The Kajanus sounds very tempting. How was the sound on your LPs (if you remember and have played them in the recent pas)?
Do you have the Dvorak, etc. on LP? I've heard great things about that recording and since then have been dying to hear it!
Best wishes,
Petra
Tue, Oct 9 2012, 1:14AM
#12
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
2:07 pm Thursday. Greetings forum members from Maui, Hawaii.
Since EMI product may demise following a takeover, I like many others are on an EMI buying binge. Since the closure of the former Borders Books here on Maui, there is no source of new classical cds, and the use of the internet has become my only mode of classical cd acquisition.
The EMI box, "Schubert Lieder on Record - 1898-2012", has been ordered, and is on its way to me. And I ordered 2 more boxes yesterday.
The bank is not yet broken, bit is straining at its seams. Like other classical music listeners I hope that the British Library may be able to takeover all the historical material preserved over the years by EMI, the former HMV, and The Gramophone Company. Irvine Shamrock
Hi Irvine!
Careful mon ami! Being out on the street with all of your CDs, LPs, laser discs, etc., would not be a good thing! You would have to hire several dozen people to protect all of your music collection! ;--)
Warm wishes,
Petra
Tue, Oct 9 2012, 2:27AM
#13
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Petra, In 1973 EMI issued two two-record LP sets and one single LP of Sibelius 78rpm recordings. They were issued under the World Records label. The first set was called "The First Recordings" and had the first two symphonies, Tapiola, and Belshazzar's Feast, all conducted by Kajanus. The second set was called "The Great Interpreters". The 3rd and 5th symphonies, the Karelia Suite and Pohjola's Daughter were conducted by Kajanus; the 6th symphony by Schneevoigt and the 7th by Koussevitzky (the famous BBC Symphony live performance). Also issued on a separate LP was the 4th symphony conducted by Beecham (along with three shorter works). Then in 1976 they issued a live 4th symphony and Luonnotar conducted by Schneevoigt, and Oceanides conducted by Boult. All were transferred from 78s by A.C. Griffith who was the Obert-Thorn of his day. The sound, especially on the Kajanus recordings, is quite good (the recordings date from 1930 and 1932), a little on the bright side so they are very clear. I will be interested in hearing what Obert-Thorn does with them.
Kajanus's coda of the first movement of the 5th Symphony is a little different from what we are used to (it doesn't end with a bang) and the final two chords of the last movement are not preceded slightly by the timpani as we are now accustomed to.
Didn't mean to carry on like this, and to answer your question about the Dvorak etc - no unfortunately I have not heard it.
Tue, Oct 9 2012, 6:52PM
#14
RE: Putting the Record Straight
The recording industry is, ever since its
inception, larded with intrigue, jealousy, back stabbing, take over, poaching
of artists etc. One can go on forever,
the list is endless. Haven’t we seen it
before. Philips created PolyGram representing
the labels Decca, DG and Philips.
Polygram didn’t operate as one in all countries in Europe. In Switzerland e.g. DG and Philips labels
were represented by PolyGram, but DECCA by Maurice Rosengarten’s company Musiekvertrieb based in Zurich. I suggest reading
the book, by John Culshaw, “Putting the Record Straight”. Although a little dated it exposes exactly
what is happening at the moment. The
recording industry is like one of its recordings: A Classic Opera or for the pop-lovers "Another one bites the Dust" by another "opera" Queen.
Wed, Oct 10 2012, 12:35PM
#15
RE: Universal take-over of EMI
Petra, In 1973 EMI issued two two-record LP sets and one single LP of Sibelius 78rpm recordings.....
Thank you very much Bliss for the further information and your thoughts on the transfers to LP! I've jotted down the information should I ever run across the LPs. I look forward to reading a review of the CDs and hope to get them when they come out (if I can find them for a reasonable price). :-)
Best wishes,
Petra
And what about the vast EMI archive of letters, photographs, recording schedules and ledgers etc which chart the history of recording and its greatest artists from its earliest days? Will it be thrown out or given to a suitable museum or, say, the British Library's sound archive?