Telarc Receives Label Of The Year Award From Gramophone

Classical publication recognizes ìastounding fidelityî as common denominator in all recordings

5-Oct-04

Telarc International, the Cleveland, Ohio-based independent record label that has been a leader in classical recording for more than a quarter century, has been named Label of the Year by Gramophone, the UK-based magazine recognized worldwide as the definitive classical music publication. ìChoosing a Label of the Year is a very difficult decision when so much commitment, flair and energy is expended by dozens of companies each year,î says James Jolly, editor of Gramophone. ìSo this year we laid down a list of criteria to help us reach a verdict. For a company that doesnít claim any specialist focus, we looked for a breadth of repertoire, and Telarc delivered. This year, weíve had Stravinsky and Ravel from the Cincinnati Symphony and Paavo Jârvi, as well as a highly appealing disc of music by the young American composer Jennifer Higdon recorded by the Atlanta Symphony under Robert Spano (who has also brought us Berliozís Requiem). On the early music front was a fine set of the Bach Suites from Boston Baroque. From the charismatic Benjamin Zander there have been some increasingly arresting performances of Mahler. And letís not overlook Richard Straussís Aegyptische Helene from Deborah Voigt, or Leon Botsteinís fascinating exploration of unusual orchestra and operatic fare. ìWhat do all these have in common? The answer is simple: sound quality of astounding fidelity presented in the latest formats. Listening to Jârviís Ravel in surround is a quite extraordinary experience. Daybreak, from the Daphnis et Chlo» Suite No. 2, is almost palpable as the light glows and finally bursts upon us. But Telarc has not neglected the back catalogue. A disc of Jacques Loussier playing Bach has been remastered into surround sound with breathtaking results.î Robert Woods, who co-founded of the label with partner Jack Renner, says he and the rest of the Telarc staff ìhave always had a tremendous respect for what Gramophone has meant in the world of classical music. Whether you agreed with reviews or not, the level of critical and editorial writing set the standard for our industry. When Jack and I first launched Telarc in the late 1970s, I donít believe either of us could have ever imagined that some day we would receive such a prestigious award from Gramophone. It comes with great appreciation from all of us. This award is a benchmark in the history of the company.î Renner recalls ìmany satisfying experiencesî since Telarcís early days, including the 41 Grammys and various other industry awards the company has garnered over the years, as well as the satisfying and longstanding relationships with world renowned artists and the ongoing challenges and rewards of staying on the leading edge of recording technology. ìTo be named Label of the Year by the premier authority in the classical music field is indeed the best of the best,î says Renner. ìIt certainly doesnít get any better than this. I offer my sincere thanks to the entire management and staff of Gramophone.î Jolly maintains that Telarcís leadership position in the classical recording industry is a natural extension of the innovative spirit of its two corporate executives. ìTelarc is one of those independent companies whose personality is inextricably linked to its founders, in this case the producing/engineering team of Bob Woods and Jack Renner,î he says. ìTheyíve maintained their faith in classical music through some tough times. By astute A&R and an unshakable belief in staying abreast of sonic advances, 2004 finds Telarc a truly award-winning company.î