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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