Odyssey Imprint Will be the New Home for Crossover Music On Sony Classical Label
PRNewswire
NEW YORK
09/10/2002
Sony Classical has chosen the Odyssey imprint as a new showcase for its growing roster of crossover artists, Peter Gelb, President of Sony Classical, announced today. Odyssey will make its debut with the release of Sometimes I Dream, introducing tenor Mario Frangoulis, to be released Tuesday, September 17, 2002.
"The use of this imprint is a reflection of our expansion into repertoire and artists that reach well beyond traditional classical music," said Gelb. "It is meant to be a practical way to differentiate these new non-classical recordings for potential listeners and for retailers, since we want these recordings placed in the popular music sections of stores."
Odyssey will provide a distinctive new home for Sony Classical's crossover artists and recordings. It will be identified with its own logo, announcing a new marketing presence for recordings that appeal to an audience beyond the traditional classical label.
In addition to Frangoulis, other artists/recordings to be released on Odyssey include: Aselin Debison -- her debut album Sweet is the Melody will be released on October 8; Mary Fahl -- her first solo recording will be released in January 2003; and Sonia Sontana and the Saratoga Band will be in-stores in March 2003.
Though its new mission is entirely different, Odyssey echoes an earlier use of the imprint by Columbia Masterworks, the forerunner of Sony Classical. The Odyssey imprint was introduced in 1967 to expand the range and appeal of classical music. In the 1970s, it became a core-classical reissue line that carried over to the early days of the CD era. With the creation of other lines featuring core-classical repertoire, the Odyssey name became inactive for several years.
SOURCE: Sony Classical
CONTACT: Carol Della Penna of Sony Classical, +1-212-833-7479, or
carol_dellapenna@sonymusic.com