Your top 5 favorite record labels

[Symphonic Addict]

Most of the recordings I dearly love come from these record companies:

BIS
Capriccio
Chandos
CPO
Naxos

What about you?

[Florestan]

Hyperion
Grand Piano
Toccata Classics
Brilliant Classics
MDG

[Mirror Image]

Let's see:

BIS
Chandos
Naxos
Sony Classical
UMG (Deutsche Grammophon, Decca, ECM)

I know I'm cheating with Sony Classical and UMG considering all of their subsidiaries, but I don't care. I can't imagine making a list of favorite classical labels without them.

[foxandpeng]

BIS
Chandos
Naxos
Ondine
Dacapo

[DavidW]

BIS
CPO
Naxos
Supraphon
Channel Classics

[Daverz]

Supraphon
CPO
Naxos
Chandos
Lyrita

Ah, bummer, ran out of slots for Bis.

[bhodges]

Chandos - Between breadth of repertoire and quality of engineering, hard to beat.
Reference Recordings - The latest outings with Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have put the label back in the pantheon.
Kairos - With their priorities firmly in the European avant-garde, I could easily collect every release (but then I wouldn't have a home).
Hyperion - Artists, repertoire, engineering, lovely cover designs...what more could you want?
New Focus Recordings - Independent label with far-reaching view of contemporary music.

--Bruce

[DavidW]

Hyperion - Artists, repertoire, engineering, lovely cover designs...what more could you want?

Streaming and non-bronzed discs for a start.

[San Antone]

ECM New Series (and original)
Naxos
CPO
Glossa
Naive

[Mirror Image]

Streaming and non-bronzed discs for a start.

I'm thankful that Hyperion hasn't jumped on the streaming parade. Good for them, but, yes, their earlier releases do have bronzing issues.

[Roasted Swan]

I'm thankful that Hyperion hasn't jumped on the streaming parade. Good for them, but, yes, their earlier releases do have bronzing issues.

As far as I am aware (easier if you are UK based of course!) Hyperion will still replace any old bronzed discs with new copies - quite reasonably you have to send in the bronzed discs as proof of purchase.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

BIS
Capriccio
Vox
Hungaroton
Supraphon

[Mirror Image]

As far as I am aware (easier if you are UK based of course!) Hyperion will still replace any old bronzed discs with new copies - quite reasonably you have to send in the bronzed discs as proof of purchase.

I only own one that has the bronzing, but thanks for the tip!

[San Antone]

I'm thankful that Hyperion hasn't jumped on the streaming parade. Good for them, but, yes, their earlier releases do have bronzing issues.

Because CDs are not biodegradable, it is estimated that it will take over 1 million years for a CD to completely decompose in a landfill. More than 5.5 million boxes of software go to landfills and incinerators, in addition to the millions of CDs people throw away each year.

So much to be thankful for.

[71 dB]

Naxos used to be my favorite classical music label by far in the past when I was able to buy them at local department stores for 8 euros each and even get 4 discs at the price of 3. Those happy days are long gone and the special status of Naxos has vanished while it has become a "full-price" label among others.

Nowadays I don't have clear favorites. Whatever label releases the obscure repertoire I am interested of gets my interest. One label that I have been impressed of and hasn't been mentioned here yet is Mirare.

[Spotted Horses]

Naxos used to be my favorite classical music label by far in the past when I was able to buy them at local department stores for 8 euros each and even get 4 discs at the price of 3. Those happy days are long gone and the special status of Naxos has vanished while it has become a "full-price" label among others.

Nowadays I don't have clear favorites. Whatever label releases the obscure repertoire I am interested of gets my interest. One label that I have been impressed of and hasn't been mentioned here yet is Mirare.

Depends on your point of view. In my view Naxos has become a much better label lately, because they have turned from making recordings of standard repertoire with barely competent ensembles to recording interesting music unavailable elsewhere!

[Que]

Harmonia Mundi
Hyperion
Naïve
Glossa
ARCANA

[The new erato]

Harmonia Mundi
Glossa
BIS
Hyperion
These four in the clear lead.
Chandos

[DavidW]

Depends on your point of view. In my view Naxos has become a much better label lately, because they have turned from making recordings of standard repertoire with barely competent ensembles to recording interesting music unavailable elsewhere!

They've gone from bargain brand to making exceptional recordings... and the price is still affordable.  Naxos made my list for their newer direction.

[Lisztianwagner]

They could be:

DG
Decca Classics
Sony Classical
Brilliant Classics
Hyperion