Westminster Records was an American classical musicrecord label, issuing original recordings until 1965. It was co–founded in 1949 by Mischa Naida (who later founded Musical Heritage Society), the owner of the Westminster Record Shop in New York City, businessman James Grayson (1897–1980), conductor Henry Swoboda, and Henry Gage. Its trademark was Big Ben and its slogan was "natural balance", referring to its single microphone technique.
Early on, Westminster recordings were technically superior to most others available, and the label became popular among the growing community of audiophiles. In the late 1950s, the company began issuing stereophonic recordings, including a rare disc of the music of Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén (1872–1960), conducted by the composer. The "Westminster Laboratory" (W-Lab) series of classical recordings were technically superior to other brands and sold at higher price than the regular Westminster issues.
The company was sold in the early 1960s to ABC-Paramount, which at first continued to issue new material (as well as reissuing old recordings on the "Westminster Gold" label). Westminster ceased issuing new (original) recordings in 1965. Beginning in 1970, ABC's "Westminster Gold" reissues, including a new "Best Of" composers series, sported new eye-catching sleeve designs that used whimsy and humor to garner lucrative sales from high school and college-age classical music aficionados.[1][2]
MCA Records acquired the Westminster catalog when it purchased ABC Records in 1979. While continuing to distribute ABC's catalogue of classical music LPs, MCA hired former ABC classical department head John Sievers to establish its own MCA classical music department.[3] The next year, MCA reissued much of the classical music back catalogues of Command, Decca, and ABC/Westminster Records on the "MCA Westminster" label.[4]
The Westminster recordings, as well as the rest of the MCA classical music catalogue, are currently managed by Deutsche Grammophon.[5]
References
^Eliot Tiegel, New Marketing Approaches Key ABC/Dunhill 55–LP Sales Meet, Billboard, September 12, 1970, pg. 3
^"Westminster Gold: a discography of the classical reissue label of the 1970s and a gallery of the wonderfully different cover art that graced the LPs". WestminsterGold.com. 30 September 2018.
^Panchensky, Alan (1979-09-01). "Ex-ABC exec to head MCA's wing". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. p. 91. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
^"New budget MCA line due, Feb. 8". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 1979-12-22. p. 41. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
^"Westminster". Series & Editions. Deutsche Grammophon. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
External links
August 21, 2023
westminster, records, westminster, parliament, records, records, members, parliament, united, kingdom, american, classical, music, record, label, issuing, original, recordings, until, 1965, founded, 1949, mischa, naida, later, founded, musical, heritage, socie. For Westminster parliament records see Records of members of parliament of the United Kingdom Westminster Records was an American classical music record label issuing original recordings until 1965 It was co founded in 1949 by Mischa Naida who later founded Musical Heritage Society the owner of the Westminster Record Shop in New York City businessman James Grayson 1897 1980 conductor Henry Swoboda and Henry Gage Its trademark was Big Ben and its slogan was natural balance referring to its single microphone technique Early on Westminster recordings were technically superior to most others available and the label became popular among the growing community of audiophiles In the late 1950s the company began issuing stereophonic recordings including a rare disc of the music of Swedish composer Hugo Alfven 1872 1960 conducted by the composer The Westminster Laboratory W Lab series of classical recordings were technically superior to other brands and sold at higher price than the regular Westminster issues The company was sold in the early 1960s to ABC Paramount which at first continued to issue new material as well as reissuing old recordings on the Westminster Gold label Westminster ceased issuing new original recordings in 1965 Beginning in 1970 ABC s Westminster Gold reissues including a new Best Of composers series sported new eye catching sleeve designs that used whimsy and humor to garner lucrative sales from high school and college age classical music aficionados 1 2 MCA Records acquired the Westminster catalog when it purchased ABC Records in 1979 While continuing to distribute ABC s catalogue of classical music LPs MCA hired former ABC classical department head John Sievers to establish its own MCA classical music department 3 The next year MCA reissued much of the classical music back catalogues of Command Decca and ABC Westminster Records on the MCA Westminster label 4 The Westminster recordings as well as the rest of the MCA classical music catalogue are currently managed by Deutsche Grammophon 5 References Edit Eliot Tiegel New Marketing Approaches Key ABC Dunhill 55 LP Sales Meet Billboard September 12 1970 pg 3 Westminster Gold a discography of the classical reissue label of the 1970s and a gallery of the wonderfully different cover art that graced the LPs WestminsterGold com 30 September 2018 Panchensky Alan 1979 09 01 Ex ABC exec to head MCA s wing Billboard Nielsen Business Media p 91 Retrieved 13 December 2010 New budget MCA line due Feb 8 Billboard Nielsen Business Media 1979 12 22 p 41 Retrieved 13 December 2010 Westminster Series amp Editions Deutsche Grammophon Retrieved 13 December 2010 External links EditArchived Westminster Gold Records discography Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Westminster Records amp oldid 1145184234, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
