From humble origins to height of success

Classical music writer

Saturday 8 September 2012

I've been musing about Naxos, the super-budget label, based on the company's phenomenal recent output.

Custom byline text:

Michael Tumelty

Look at the list. This month, Marin Alsop and her powerhouse Baltimore Symphony Orchestra release a new recording of Mahler's First Symphony. Jun Markl, former principal conductor of the Orchestre Nationale de Lyon, whose seven-volume survey of Debussy's orchestral music for the label was hugely successful, has moved on from Lyon, but pops up immediately in a new Naxos recording with the RSNO of yet more Debussy (the two books of Preludes in an orchestrated version).

Meanwhile, back in Lyon, the orchestra (and Naxos) have netted themselves another biggie with Leonard Slatkin, who has taken over from Markl and produced a monster first recording with Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique and the Corsaire Overture. Then next month, I can tell you, there will be another Naxos debut: from the King's Singers (don't knock 'em – they have a global following).And all this from the company, founded by Klaus Heymann 25 years ago, that challenged and took on the big-name corporates which ruthlessly controlled markets, pricing, artists and repertoire. The Goliaths mocked the puny minnow. There's a true Naxos story about a big-name metropolitan critic who, in the early days, would not allow a Naxos disc to cross his desk. And now we know the outcome: Naxos wiped the floor with all detractors.Naxos is now one of the world's leading independent companies. It has led the way in technological and digital developments. It now attracts top-flight conductors, orchestras and soloists. Look at the incredible, ongoing Shostakovich symphony series with the amazing Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. And look at the list of artists above. Alsop, now a figure of total influence in the US, always goes to Heymann and Naxos first with her projects.All of this, and more, is documented in an endlessly informative book about the company: The Story Of Naxos by Nicholas Soames, published by Piatkus priced £25, which embraces everything everyone has wondered about this unique company. An educational read, with great stories.

Contextual targeting label:

Arts and Entertainment

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

From humble origins to height of success

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED