[ENG.] In the field of classical music the best reissues in CD sets are still not properly available in digital format. Why is that?
[ENG.] In the field of classical music the best reissues in CD sets are still not properly available in digital format. Why is that?
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In the field of classical music the best reissues in CD sets are still not properly available in digital format. Why is that?
So, lately, online music services have been talking about satisfying classical music lovers. That's fine.
But the grumbling and dissatisfied user of the current services should not lose sight of the fact that the record companies in the first place also have a responsibility and work to do to improve the situation: it is their goods that are sold, so to speak, on the platforms. And if the record companies don't do their job properly, it's not the platforms that can turn mud into diamonds.
Take the example of the big prestigious box sets dedicated to the great performers of the past that are constantly being released by almost all record companies, but especially by the three Majors, which hold the treasures of the history of the record. They are well presented, and fortunately, most of them are now offered with their original sleeves. They are accompanied by useful and interesting booklets. In several languages. All this work for only a few thousand copies sold.
One will end up believing that it is essentially a question of satisfying old cacochymes discophiles who do not intend to pass to the music on line! Is this segregation voluntary? In fact, these old fools (and old bitches) are not likely to go there before long! These box sets are almost never available for streaming, or when they are, they are broken up album by album, without booklet (it would be easy to reproduce at least the backs of the original covers, which are in the box sets) and of course without any booklet including tracklistings, texts, comments, dates of recordings and other details.
A passionate and, I am told, very sympathetic man, Cyrus Meher Homji, head of classical music at Universal Australia, has been doing a considerable amount of reissuing work for a long time on the Eloquence label: single discs devoted to rare performers, and superb boxed sets, the production of which seems to be particularly encouraged by his parent company.
Impeccable work. But, online, on streaming platforms, only the tapes and album covers remain. All the editorial work is gone, some albums are missing, and the whole thing is dumped in disorder on the streaming services. We're left to deal with it.
If it's about money, it would be possible to at least make these box sets available for download with their editorial apparatus: that would bring in more money than streaming. Otherwise, why are discophile fans who don't want to bother with boxes discriminated against?
Cyrus, why don't you talk to your bosses about this, and convince them... We'll love you all the more!
Le site de ELOQUENCE
Le site de WARNER CLASSICS
Les coffrets SONY CLASSICAL