If record labels don't seek contracts with very many classical symphonies, orchestras may have to release their music on their own.
As part of an effort to increase revenue, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra plans to record its performances (including this season's Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky). The TSO will then release CD compilations of the best recordings as well as downloadable material. Downloads could even be available as early as the beginning of 2008.
With a deficit at $8.9 million, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra has been trying to increase ticket sales and other revenue-generating services. Since record labels typically don't seek out very many classical symphonies, the TSO is taking matters into its own hands and releasing its own records.
Will downloads and record sales decrease ticket sales? Or promote increased awareness and interest in the symphony? The 2007-2008 Toronto Symphony Orchestra's experiments will reveal whether self-published music is a viable aid for classical symphonies in the digital world.
For more information, please read the CBC article.
