Robert von Bahr leaves BIS

[CallMePaul]

Just seen this: https://slippedisc.com/2025/02/exclu...h-label-chief/

No explanation offered or successor named, but I fear for the future of this enterprising company. I fear that other independent labels are under threat, especially aftewr the takeovers of Hyperion and Supraphon as well as BIS.

[Roger Webb]

Just seen this: https://slippedisc.com/2025/02/exclu...h-label-chief/

No explanation offered or successor named, but I fear for the future of this enterprising company. I fear that other independent labels are under threat, especially aftewr the takeovers of Hyperion and Supraphon as well as BIS.

It would be a tragedy to lose this great label....one of the really distinctive independent record companies putting out repertoire that was otherwise unavailable (Tubin!), as well as top rate performances of better known Scandinavian rep.....to me the Sibelius recorded in Gothenburg with Neeme Järvi is pretty well matchless - despite BIS doing it all over again....and again!

Right from the beginning great recorded sound, often by von Bahr, who often designed the sleeves too....he even pushed the finished product round Stockholm in a pram in the early days.......for what ever reason, it must be hard to walk away!

When Peter Philips' Tallis Scholars went to Polygram he said he knew it was a mistake ten minutes in to the first meeting with polygram executives...of course he was able to get back control of Gimell.

[Barbirollians]

Like Hyperion I suspect along will come the mass deletions and nothing available except on Mp3 or streaming platforms.

[Barbirollians]

I was amazed and rather appalled going through the La Boheme contenders that although many may be found secondhand that only the Callas/Votto is still available new on CD unless you count the £95 deluxe Karajan.

[Roger Webb]

Like Hyperion I suspect along will come the mass deletions and nothing available except on Mp3 or streaming platforms.

Well at least Hyperion is now on streaming platforms.....the fact that they weren't, along with Chandos, who were also late into the game, stopped me taking out a subscription. After trying Spotify and Tidal, I have an account with Qobuz which has superb quality sound, but poor track listing on classical releases.

[MickyD]

I've been busy doing a mopping up operation of acquiring BIS CDs, for fear of what might happen. All the Jakob Lindberg issues etc, so many wonderful recordings.

[Roger Webb]

I've been busy doing a mopping up operation of acquiring BIS CDs, for fear of what might happen. All the Jakob Lindberg issues etc, so many wonderful recordings.

Well they're still available on Qobuz Micky, on which I have five saved in my library.....the Jacobean Lute Music has just gone on to accompany breakfast!

[MickyD]

Well they're still available on Qobuz Micky, on which I have five saved in my library.....the Jacobean Lute Music has just gone on to accompany breakfast!

Thanks, Roger. I am only really interested in the CDs - fortunately the Marketplace platforms still have copies of some of the older releases that I need to acquire. Have you heard his discs of Weiss? Magical!

[Roger Webb]

..........? Have you heard his discs of Weiss? Magical!

No, I've seen them of course - not sure how many volumes there are...Qobuz shows two, as far as I can see - these 'saved' for later! I note that he's using the Sixtus Rauwolf 1590 - at least that's what he's holding on the cover of Vol 1! (Edit: he's not holding it on Vol 1, and Vol 2 seems to be on a 13 course instrument). Which reminds me, when I had the CD shop they released on CD John Williams playing Bach 'Lute' Suites...on guitar of course, but the art dept. had got hold of a photo of him holding a lute so they used that! They quickly recalled them and reissued with a different pic. after complaints. I've often toyed with the idea of buying a lute...I play a little guitar (actually it's full-size!) and usually play something from Bach's E minor Suite every morning.

Edit. Thinking about it, it may have been Julian Bream pictured with a lute on the Bach....makes more sense as he did play the instrument - but not on the Bach.

[richardfinegold]

It was inevitable. Despite all the blather that Apple would continue the commitment to BIS standards, etc. This will be the death of SACD as BIS was the last label releasing them.
Von Bahr has written many letters to the editor in Fanfare, after unfavorable reviews. He seems like a very prickly character and I can’t imagine him in a corporate boardroom. I’m surprised it took a year and a half to fall out with Apple

[MickyD]

No, I've seen them of course - not sure how many volumes there are...Qobuz shows two, as far as I can see - these 'saved' for later! I note that he's using the Sixtus Rauwolf 1590 - at least that's what he's holding on the cover of Vol 1! (Edit: he's not holding it on Vol 1, and Vol 2 seems to be on a 13 course instrument). Which reminds me, when I had the CD shop they released on CD John Williams playing Bach 'Lute' Suites...on guitar of course, but the art dept. had got hold of a photo of him holding a lute so they used that! They quickly recalled them and reissued with a different pic. after complaints. I've often toyed with the idea of buying a lute...I play a little guitar (actually it's full-size!) and usually play something from Bach's E minor Suite every morning.

Edit. Thinking about it, it may have been Julian Bream pictured with a lute on the Bach....makes more sense as he did play the instrument - but not on the Bach.

There are only two discs of Weiss as far as I know. But I've also seen another disc of him playing De Visée, which I'm sure is also very special.

[Roger Webb]

There are only two discs of Weiss as far as I know. But I've also seen another disc of him playing De Visée, which I'm sure is also very special.

Thanks Micky, I have those two in my library now.

This must be the De Visée

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196409580815?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=0Tg1xZoNRUu&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[MickyD]

Yes, that's the one, straight on to the shopping list!?