Classical music “has suffered in the shift to streaming,” writes Ben Sisario in Sunday’s (6/23) New York Times. “While 2.5 percent of album sales in the United States are classical music, it accounts for less than 1 percent of total streams…. Two new companies, Idagio and Primephonic, … are challenging the big platforms by offering streaming services devoted to classical music … with databases tailored to the nuances of the genre…. For most of the music on Spotify or Apple Music, a listing of artist, track and album works fine. But … ‘If you have Herbert von Karajan conducting a Verdi opera with Maria Callas, who is the artist?’ said Till Janczukowicz, the chief executive of Idagio… Primephonic and Idagio have [built] more extensive databases, with extensive listings for composers, soloists, orchestras and conductors…. Classical record executives said they welcomed the arrival of Primephonic and Idagio, but were not necessarily displeased with the performance of their music on Apple and Spotify. A report released last week by Midia Research, which studies online media, portrayed a classical market in transition, with a relatively small economic impact but wide potential.”
Posted June 26, 2019
