Universal Music Group (UMG) has officially taken full control of Harmonia Mundi, the classical music label renowned for its top-tier recordings of historically informed performances. Co-founders of [PIAS], Harmonia Munds’s parent company, initially sold UMG a minority stake back in 2021 but have now decided to hand over the remaining shares. Despite the sale, [PIAS] CEO Kenny Gates will stay on, promising the company’s values and indie spirit remain intact.

A bit of background:  Founded in 1958, Harmonia Mundi has an impressive catalogue that spans centuries of music and a star-studded artist roster, including William Christie, Isabelle Faust, and Raphaël Pichon. This move is set to boost [PIAS]’s global distribution power while keeping its independent essence alive. Gates summed it up best: “I’m selling my shares, not my soul.”

Bottom line: The boutique classical music community just got a major partner with deep pockets to keep it afloat, and with [PIAS] promising no cultural shake-ups, it could be a win for both sides.

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Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent is the Founder and General Manager Ludwig Van. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. A specialist in digital media for over 20 years, he has worked as a senior editor and is a former freelance classical music critic for the Toronto Star. Michael holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Toronto.

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