Independent Record Labels

[Bunny]

Another "independent" label that delivers quality recordings is Carus-Verlag.  They are primarily a music publisher (Stuttgart), but their cds combine great performance with excellent sound quality.  They describe themselves as not for the mass-market, which is very accurate.

[bhodges]

A few years ago I encountered Simax, a Norwegian label, in a live recording by Mariss Jansons and the Oslo Philharmonic, of Till Eulenspiegel and The Firebird.  Haven't bought another one yet, but their catalog has some interesting looking items, such as a Mahler 1 and 9, also with Jansons and Oslo.

--Bruce

[Don]

I have many Simax discs and can attest to their high quality.  The most recent one I acquired was a disc of orchestral songs by Schulhoff and Zemlinsky that's a winner.  Then there's a few recordings by the superb Vertavo Quartet and Bach's Art of Fugue from Phantasm.

[bhodges]

I have many Simax discs and can attest to their high quality.  The most recent one I acquired was a disc of orchestral songs by Schulhoff and Zemlinsky that's a winner.  Then there's a few recordings by the superb Vertavo Quartet and Bach's Art of Fugue from Phantasm.

Thanks, Don!  This is good to know, and the Schulhoff/Zemlinsky sounds like something I should investigate soon. 

I looked at the Vertavo releases, many of which sound great.  Have you heard their Bartók complete set by any chance?  Just don't recall seeing it mentioned, and if both they and the recording quality are good...

--Bruce

[Don]

Thanks, Don!  This is good to know, and the Schulhoff/Zemlinsky sounds like something I should investigate soon. 

I looked at the Vertavo releases, many of which sound great.  Have you heard their Bartók complete set by any chance?  Just don't recall seeing it mentioned, and if both they and the recording quality are good...

--Bruce

Yes, I have the Bartok set and love it.  I should also relate that I love all the Bartok sets I own, so I might well be not very discriminating in this repertoire.

[bhodges]

Yes, I have the Bartok set and love it.  I should also relate that I love all the Bartok sets I own, so I might well be not very discriminating in this repertoire.

As a huge fan of the composer, I can well identify.   

--Bruce