Common Music Group is increasing its footprint in China’s area of interest music sectors with the launch of devoted classical and jazz labels available in the market, branching out past mainstream pop on the planet’s second-largest economic system.
The corporate’s Common Music Higher China division has established Deutsche Grammophon China and Blue Be aware Information China, with each labels anticipated to concentrate on scouting and supporting rising Chinese language expertise, UMG stated Thursday (Could 15).
Common Music has tapped present Deutsche Grammophon artists with Chinese language backgrounds — pianists Lang Lang and Yuja Wang, together with conductor Lengthy Yu — as Creative Advisors for the brand new classical enterprise.
Deutsche Grammophon, which claims to be the world’s oldest file label, launched its personal high-res classical music streaming service known as STAGE+ in 2022. In the meantime, Blue Be aware Information grew to become a part of UMG when the latter acquired EMI’s recorded music arm in 2011.
Timothy Xu, CEO of Common Music Higher China, who will oversee each new imprints, stated: “For many years, Deutsche Grammophon and Blue Be aware have held a particular place within the hearts of Chinese language classical and jazz musicians. These labels have deeply influenced the best way native artists perceive, research, and create inside these genres.
“At the moment marks a brand new starting – for the primary time, these two iconic manufacturers are establishing devoted labels in China to have interaction instantly with native artists and communities.
“DG China and Blue Be aware Information China will likely be totally dedicated to discovering and supporting the following technology of expertise rising from China. Via these efforts, we hope to contribute to the expansion and appreciation of classical and jazz music in China, and to assist carry the richness of Chinese language musical expression into deeper dialogue with the world.”
“At the moment marks a brand new starting – for the primary time, these two iconic manufacturers are establishing devoted labels in China to have interaction instantly with native artists and communities.”
Timothy Xu, Common Music Higher China
Deutsche Grammophon China will signal and develop rising musicians from China, supported by UMG’s international infrastructure. Following the launch, DGC will launch its first album on Could 23: Bach: The Cello Suites, carried out by cellist Jian Wang. The label can even companion with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to file and launch the whole Shostakovich Symphonies in 2029 to mark the orchestra’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
Dr Clemens Trautmann, President Deutsche Grammophon and New Enterprise Technique World Classics, stated: “Up to now decade Deutsche Grammophon has vastly elevated its visibility within the vibrant Chinese language classical music market, with the one hundred and twentieth anniversary gala live performance within the Forbidden Metropolis, the re-signing of Lang Lang, and the great collaboration with Lengthy Yu and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
“We’re proud to co-invest sooner or later technology of excellent classical performers from Higher China, along with our esteemed colleagues at UMGC to foster the success of fantastic new expertise throughout recording, touring and model partnerships.
“Embarking on this journey alongside the equally iconic Blue Be aware imprint and with our worldwide artists Lang Lang, Yuja Wang and Lengthy Yu as Creative Advisors, underlines the worldwide footprint and boundless creativity of UMG within the discipline of arts music.“
“We’re proud to co-invest sooner or later technology of excellent classical performers from Higher China, along with our esteemed colleagues at UMGC to foster the success of fantastic new expertise throughout recording, touring and model partnerships.”
Dr Clemens Trautmann, Deutsche Grammophon
Lang Lang stated: “Deutsche Grammophon has been my musical residence for a few years, and I’m thrilled to see the launch of DG China. It’s an honor to function Creative Advisor and proceed supporting a label that has formed my inventive journey. I imagine DG China will likely be a key platform for rising Chinese language musicians and assist join classical music with broader audiences. I additionally hope it should carry extra Chinese language voices to the worldwide stage — a mission I deeply imagine in and am proud to be a part of.”
Yuja Wang added: “The Yellow Label has been my recording residence for nicely over a decade, and I’m delighted to see it interact with younger artists in my residence nation. I’m thrilled to assist this initiative as Creative Advisor and to assist determine and develop future expertise throughout the complete spectrum of classical music.”
Lengthy Yu stated: “It’s a nice honor to be named Creative Advisor to DG China, and I admire the belief that Deutsche Grammophon and Common Music China have positioned in me. I’ve loved a protracted and rewarding relationship with the label, and it’s thrilling to witness the launch of DG China as a brand new chapter in its celebrated legacy.”
“Our upcoming Shostakovich undertaking isn’t solely a tribute to the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra’s 150-year historical past, but in addition a strong expression of the artistry and interpretive depth of Chinese language musicians at this time. With DG’s international platform, we’re proud to carry these voices to audiences around the globe.”
In the meantime, with the launch of its Chinese language unit, Blue Be aware Information will construct relationships with native jazz musicians and assist carry Chinese language jazz expression to worldwide audiences. Blue Be aware Information China has signed experimental jazz duo INNOUT — composed of guitarist Xiao Jun and drummer An Yu — as its inaugural act.
Don Was, President of Blue Be aware Information, stated: “Xiao Jun and An Yu are two of probably the most proficient and visionary musicians I’ve ever met. Their music goes to ‘blow individuals’s minds’ all around the world. It’s a thrill and an honor to have the ability to launch Blue Be aware Information China with their music.
INNOUT added: “Blue Be aware represents the musical spirit we now have all the time admired. Partnering with Blue Be aware Information China is a continuation of our dream and marks a brand-new starting.”
“We’re excited to hitch forces with Blue Be aware Information China to carry extra authentic Chinese language jazz to the stage. Collectively, we hope to create extra platforms for artists to carry out, develop, and join with wider audiences — each at residence and overseas.”
Ren Yuqing, JZ Music
Blue Be aware Information can even companion with JZ Music, a Shanghai-based promoter and venue operator, to develop touring and competition alternatives.
Ren Yuqing, Founding father of JZ Music, stated: “We’re excited to hitch forces with Blue Be aware Information China to carry extra authentic Chinese language jazz to the stage. Collectively, we hope to create extra platforms for artists to carry out, develop, and join with wider audiences — each at residence and overseas.”
Adam Granite, Government Vice President, Market Improvement, Common Music Group, stated: “At UMG, we’re dedicated to supporting the event of various music cultures around the globe. The launch of Deutsche Grammophon China and Blue Be aware Information China displays this imaginative and prescient in motion and marks a significant step ahead within the evolution of our multi-label operations available in the market.”
“At UMG, we’re dedicated to supporting the event of various music cultures around the globe. The launch of Deutsche Grammophon China and Blue Be aware Information China displays this imaginative and prescient in motion.”
Adam Granite, Common Music Group
“By combining the worldwide heritage and inventive management of those two iconic labels with the market data and cultural perception of our native workforce, we’re making a stronger platform to attach Chinese language expertise with international alternatives.”
UMG has been increasing its presence within the classical music style lately. In 2023, 4 months after launching its personal classical music streaming service through Deutsche Grammophon, UMG acquired British classical label Hyperion Information.
Music Enterprise Worldwide
