DRAM News

Composers Recordings, Inc. Catalogue Officially
Acquired by New World Records

On-demand CD-Rs Now Available

The New York State Attorney General has formally approved the transfer of Composers Recordings, Inc. (CRI) to New World Records. CRI, a non-profit label devoted to works by American composers, shut its doors in 2003 due to mounting financial pressures, and its extensive back catalogue has since been largely unavailable. Founded in 1954 by composers Otto Luening and Douglas Moore, and Oliver Daniel of BMI, CRI issued nearly 800 recordings.

New World, also a non-profit specializing in American music, has begun preparing selected CRI back catalogue for re-release, and is now offering premium quality on-demand CD-Rs of the entire CRI CD catalogue.

In addition, the historic CRI catalogue of 400 LPs is being restored and transferred according to the highest preservation standards. One hundred titles will be available as on-demand CD-Rs by the end of 2007, and the balance by the end of 2008.

"CRI has a long and treasured history with American composers, and we are grateful to be able to include this wonderful catalogue alongside ours," New World President Herman Krawitz said. "Although in some ways we were competitors, both companies remained dedicated to the cause of American music over the years, and specifically American composers. We are thrilled to be able to offer these recordings to the public once again."

"New World is the ideal home for CRI's priceless archive of American music," CRI Chairman Frederick Jacobi said. "New World will not only carry out CRI's unique mission of supporting innovative contemporary composers and making their records available in perpetuity. It will also insure this heritage by using the latest digital technology to preserve the masters of their works. The world of music owes a major debt of gratitude to New World."

Thus far, New World Records has reissued four volumes Harry Partch's works, several electronic music collections, and discs of music by Charles Ives, Vladimir Ussachevsky, and Morton Feldman.

New World-CRI on-demand CD-Rs include the original liner notes and cover art.

For further information, please contact: Paul Tai, New World Records, 75 Broad Street, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10004. Tel. 646-442-7933. Fax 212-290-1685.