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Koopman gets back on his bach cycle
New York, June 29: Two years ago, noted Dutch conductor and early-music specialist Ton Koopman was well into the recording of what he deems the project of his lifetime: a complete cycle of the cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by his much-admired Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir.
New York, June 29: Two years ago, noted Dutch conductor and early-music specialist Ton Koopman was well into the recording of what he deems the project of his lifetime: a complete cycle of the cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by his much-admired Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir.
Twelve three-CD sets had already been issued when Koopman received word that Erato, the label for which he was recording the monumental cycle, had been dissolved by corporate owner Warner Classics.
Not surprisingly, Koopman encountered more than a few difficulties in securing a new home for the widely acclaimed project, which finally resumes this month with the July 1 release of "Volume 13" on the Netherlands-based Challenge Classics label, exclusively distributed by the Portland, Ore.-based Allegro.
Koopman says there was never a doubt in his mind that he would see the cycle through to completion.
Comparing the project to "bringing a child into the world," he explains, "if the child is ill or has problems growing up, as a father, you have to take care of it. I felt that I was really the father of this project, and I should finish it."
Ironically, when Koopman was notified that Warner was abandoning the project, he had just spent three weeks of vacation time planning logistics and booking soloists for the remaining 10 releases. Cancellation was out of the question.
Still, in a period of tightened belts and considerable competition in the marketplace, a project of this magnitude predictably proved hard to sell, no matter how celebrated the music and participants were. Facing rejection by every label with the financial means to support his dream, Koopman reached a bold resolution.
"I decided, optimist that I am, that I should go to a bank and get a loan to finish the cantatas," he says.
Koopman started his own Antoine Marchand label imprint and, with the help of a financier friend, revised his search for an existing label that would take on finished master tapes for manufacturing and distribution.
He also obtained exclusive rights to reissue the 12 volumes previously released by Erato.
Koopman very nearly secured a deal last summer with American label and Web site Andante, before finally reaching an agreement this year with his countrymen at Challenge.
What once had been a hardship suddenly became a boon, as Koopman was able to exert complete control over both the recordings and their packaging.
The cover art for "Volume 13" is a realization of the design concept that Koopman originally proposed to Erato. As the first 12 releases in the series are reissued, they will also be repackaged to match the new look.
Allegro will release the repackaged "Volume One" in August; Koopman hopes to have all 12 back on the market by this time next year. "Volume 14" is due in U.S. stores in November.
Bureau Report
Not surprisingly, Koopman encountered more than a few difficulties in securing a new home for the widely acclaimed project, which finally resumes this month with the July 1 release of "Volume 13" on the Netherlands-based Challenge Classics label, exclusively distributed by the Portland, Ore.-based Allegro.
Koopman says there was never a doubt in his mind that he would see the cycle through to completion.
Comparing the project to "bringing a child into the world," he explains, "if the child is ill or has problems growing up, as a father, you have to take care of it. I felt that I was really the father of this project, and I should finish it."
Ironically, when Koopman was notified that Warner was abandoning the project, he had just spent three weeks of vacation time planning logistics and booking soloists for the remaining 10 releases. Cancellation was out of the question.
Still, in a period of tightened belts and considerable competition in the marketplace, a project of this magnitude predictably proved hard to sell, no matter how celebrated the music and participants were. Facing rejection by every label with the financial means to support his dream, Koopman reached a bold resolution.
"I decided, optimist that I am, that I should go to a bank and get a loan to finish the cantatas," he says.
Koopman started his own Antoine Marchand label imprint and, with the help of a financier friend, revised his search for an existing label that would take on finished master tapes for manufacturing and distribution.
He also obtained exclusive rights to reissue the 12 volumes previously released by Erato.
Koopman very nearly secured a deal last summer with American label and Web site Andante, before finally reaching an agreement this year with his countrymen at Challenge.
What once had been a hardship suddenly became a boon, as Koopman was able to exert complete control over both the recordings and their packaging.
The cover art for "Volume 13" is a realization of the design concept that Koopman originally proposed to Erato. As the first 12 releases in the series are reissued, they will also be repackaged to match the new look.
Allegro will release the repackaged "Volume One" in August; Koopman hopes to have all 12 back on the market by this time next year. "Volume 14" is due in U.S. stores in November.
Bureau Report