Hyperion Label

[The new erato]

I don't care about the eventual boxes. What I fear is that their recordings of unknown and interesting repertoire (in my case particularly early music) will dry up. I hope the Brabant ensemble, Cinquecento and others can find other outlets for their recordings than the dismal UMG.

[Madiel]

I don't care about the eventual boxes. What I fear is that their recordings of unknown and interesting repertoire (in my case particularly early music) will dry up. I hope the Brabant ensemble, Cinquecento and others can find other outlets for their recordings than the dismal UMG.

There are arguably two issues here: first, what happens to the accessibility of the old catalogue - and here is where Hyperion didn't do an especially good job of keeping its recordings in circulation, including by not ever getting into streaming. Second, whether the label is kept going in anything like its previous form so that some of the things that Hyperion were good at keep happening.

We simply don't know, at this point, anything concrete about either of these issues. I mean, Hyperion's website is still happily advertising it as an independent label. Presumably, Universal will do something with the old catalogue because otherwise what are they even buying? But we don't know just what they will do and whether it'll feel like an improvement. Going forward with new recordings is a lot more uncertain and unlikely. Universal has a large number of labels that it keeps going, in different genres. Maybe they'll recognise that Hyperion is a particular brand with a particular following and they could cultivate that style. Or maybe not.

[The new erato]

Yes, that's rather obvious. But by looking av UMGs track record I suspect that there will be cheap boxed (which is of marginal interest to me, but nice of course) if artistic integrity and creativity is curtailed.

[Spotted Horses]

There are arguably two issues here: first, what happens to the accessibility of the old catalogue - and here is where Hyperion didn't do an especially good job of keeping its recordings in circulation, including by not ever getting into streaming. Second, whether the label is kept going in anything like its previous form so that some of the things that Hyperion were good at keep happening.

We simply don't know, at this point, anything concrete about either of these issues. I mean, Hyperion's website is still happily advertising it as an independent label. Presumably, Universal will do something with the old catalogue because otherwise what are they even buying? But we don't know just what they will do and whether it'll feel like an improvement. Going forward with new recordings is a lot more uncertain and unlikely. Universal has a large number of labels that it keeps going, in different genres. Maybe they'll recognise that Hyperion is a particular brand with a particular following and they could cultivate that style. Or maybe not.

I never had any issue with accessibility of Hyperion's catalog. Virtually every recording they ever released is available for sale on their web site as a lossless download. I've often been frustrated at the unavailability of a recording but never with Hyperion. No, they didn't do ultra-cheap back catalog boxes and they didn't do streaming. I'm surprised that anyone would welcome seeing some portion of their catalog go on a streaming service at the cost of cancelation of their ongoing recording projects and universal availability of the back catalog.

[DavidW]

They should box together the Robert Simpson string quartets.

Is the set finally complete?  It seems like they were still recording them.  The cds are mostly oop, including even recent releases so I'm about to bite the bullet and start buying digital downloads.

This is what I would like to see back on cd, especially in bundles:
The complete performances of Angela Hewitt
Christopher Herrick's Bach Organ set (I think I might be alone in wanting these reissued!)
Simpson's complete symphonies (they had a nice box, but I missed it when it was readily available)
Simpson's complete chamber works
The complete performances of the Florestan Trio
Brahms complete chamber music (reissue, I used to have it but then got rid of my entire cd collection)

And I would like to see their entire catalog easily available on streaming platforms and digital download stores.

[DavidW]

I'm surprised that anyone would welcome seeing some portion of their catalog go on a streaming service at the cost of cancelation of their ongoing recording projects and universal availability of the back catalog.

I'm sorry, but I'm not following you at all.  I don't understand where you are getting this zero sum game from.  Would you mind elaborating?

[Todd]

The complete performances of Angela Hewitt

This is all but assured.  I wouldn't be surprised if it is rebranded as DG in the process.  The artists who sell the most will fare well.  I wonder how well Steven Osborne sells. 

[Spotted Horses]

I'm sorry, but I'm not following you at all.  I don't understand where you are getting this zero sum game from.  Would you mind elaborating?

I am simply saying I see the acquisition by UMG as a net negative.

[Madiel]

I never had any issue with accessibility of Hyperion's catalog. Virtually every recording they ever released is available for sale on their web site as a lossless download. I've often been frustrated at the unavailability of a recording but never with Hyperion. No, they didn't do ultra-cheap back catalog boxes and they didn't do streaming. I'm surprised that anyone would welcome seeing some portion of their catalog go on a streaming service at the cost of cancelation of their ongoing recording projects and universal availability of the back catalog.

Sorry, I tend to forget the download availability because it doesn't interest me much. Lots of their stuff was out of print, but I admit the music could be bought that way.

However, I too would question your idea that one of these things costs the other.

[JBS]

Christopher Herrick's Bach Organ set (I think I might be alone in wanting these reissued!)

You are not alone.

[Harry]

You are not alone.

Correct, he is not, I am also waiting for Herrick's Bach reissued!

[Spotted Horses]

Correct, he is not, I am also waiting for Herrick's Bach reissued!

They're selling a lossless download of the 16 CD set for 45 pounds. I'd advise you to get it before Universal scuttles the site and it is gone forever.

[Harry]

They're selling a lossless download of the 16 CD set for 45 pounds. I'd advise you to get it before Universal scuttles the site and it is gone forever.

I am on it

[foxandpeng]

They should box together the Robert Simpson string quartets.

Streaming these or boxing them up more cheaply as physical or downloadable media would be a huge thing for me. It is a set I have wanted for a long time but the cost has been prohibitive.

[Irons]

Streaming these or boxing them up more cheaply as physical or downloadable media would be a huge thing for me. It is a set I have wanted for a long time but the cost has been prohibitive.

You are right. Two single CDs on eBay as we speak, both over £15.

[foxandpeng]

You are right. Two single CDs on eBay as we speak, both over £15.

In my world of streamed media, where about £15pcm brings all of my music in all genres, buying the whole set would equal most of my year's expenditure. I did push the boat out to purchase the Hyperion symphonies, and I'm really glad I did, but I will wait to see what happens with this new development.

Here's hoping.

[Madiel]

There is a serious underlying issue here about how cheap people want their music to be and yet still expect creators to be able to afford to create.

I'm not sure to what degree the costs of creating music of HIGH quality are coming down. I rather suspect that a major reason that we are ending up with a handful of companies dominating the music market is that it's only at huge scale that you can afford to make stuff, and generate sufficient income, at low prices.

Of course selling the same recording over and over again, sometimes for many decades, is cheaper than making new ones.

There was a disparaging comment early in this conversation about luxury goods. But as the world keeps moving towards wanting to pay less AND get more for it... you might end up getting only what you're paying for.

[Irons]

There is a serious underlying issue here about how cheap people want their music to be and yet still expect creators to be able to afford to create.

I'm not sure to what degree the costs of creating music of HIGH quality are coming down. I rather suspect that a major reason that we are ending up with a handful of companies dominating the music market is that it's only at huge scale that you can afford to make stuff, and generate sufficient income, at low prices.

Of course selling the same recording over and over again, sometimes for many decades, is cheaper than making new ones.

There was a disparaging comment early in this conversation about luxury goods. But as the world keeps moving towards wanting to pay less AND get more for it... you might end up getting only what you're paying for.

Top post. My late father-in-law said anything of low cost is of low value.

[DavidW]

I found this video really helpful, watched it awhile ago.  David Bruce is a classical composer and we see an insider look into these questions we are currently exploring on this thread.

[Todd]

Top post. My late father-in-law said anything of low cost is of low value.

The best things in life are free.