Koopman Gets Back on His Bach Cycle
Fri Jun 27, 5:41 PM ET
By Steve Smith
http://tinylink.com/?etgH5K2k6q
NEW YORK (Billboard) - 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.
Reuters/Billboard
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