PORT WASHINGTON, NY (By
James Scileppi/ KOCH Entertainment) - KOCH Entertainment Distribution is pleased to announce that its distributed box set "Mozart Edition: Complete Works," a 170 CD anthology containing all of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's works in one budget-priced package for $149.98, has made a successful multi-chart debut on Billboard's SoundScan charts (week ending 9/17/06).
The success follows a recent New York Times article about this unique box set, issued by independent Dutch label Brilliant Classics, which has sold over 200,000 copies in France alone. The set scanned 883 units in the U.S. in a one-week period which catapulted it to the Top 10 on Billboard's Budget Classical Chart and Classical Budget-Midline charts, and to #31 for all albums sold via the Internet. Internet sales are primarily the driving force behind this success with Amazon.com independently reporting 1,281 sets sold in a one-week period.
Although the complete recorded works of composers is not a new concept, this set is a rare commodity for its low cost, impeccable quality and worldwide popularity. Brilliant was able to sell this collection at such a low price without sacrificing musical quality primarily by reducing mechanical costs. This included using paper envelopes instead of jewel boxes, replacing costly booklets with a CD Rom and licensing about half of the music from other labels. The label also kept costs down by producing its own recordings that feature lesser-known artists who command lower fees than the stars. "We sell repertoire, not stars," said Pieter van Winkel, Director of Brilliant Classics. "If you want stars, you have to pay for them, and not everybody is prepared to pay full price for a star."
The success of this set would not come about without controversy. Early in its production stages many third party labels declined on licensing their music to the project citing that selling the set at such a low price would destroy the market. The set would cause further controversy with the French press who accused Brilliant of creating "confusion" around set CD prices at retail, devaluing recorded performances and helping to impoverish the field. Other labels and critics would come to the label's defense. The debate would ultimately fuel major sales of the set in France.
Fans of the Mozart Complete Edition set and the Brilliant Classics product line can also anticipate forthcoming complete budget editions of Bach, Beethoven, and Haydn. Celebrating its tenth anniverary, Brilliant Classics is now available worldwide in over 40 countries and has become one of the world's leading classical labels. Both audiences and critics alike have come to recognize and appreciate the quality and diversity of the label. With high ratings, classical awards, distinctions and record-breaking sales as resounding results. For more information go to: www.mymusicandvideo.com.
KOCH Entertainment is the leading and fastest-growing independent music and video company in the U.S. and its operations encompass record and video labels as well as physical and digital distribution companies in the U.S. and Canada. KOCH Entertainment is the market leader among independents in both the U.S. and Canada and its record labels had the largest number of Billboard charting albums among independents in 2004/2005.
