Naxos of America Launches U.S. Distribution for Linn and Collegium Record Labels

FRANKLIN, TN--(Marketwire - Jun 7, 2011) - In June, Naxos of America, the #1 independent classical music distributor in the U.S., will launch partnerships with Collegium and Linn Records to distribute the labels in the United States.

Started by composer and conductor John Rutter, Collegium Records was established in 1983 with the aim of presenting a range of choral music in recordings of musical excellence and high technical quality. Collegium is home to recordings by The Cambridge Singers as well as their director John Rutter, with guest artists such as the King's Singers, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Choir of Clare College Cambridge.

"I am delighted that Naxos of America is to be the US distributor for Collegium Records," commented Rutter. "When I founded the Collegium label in 1983, I could not have foreseen the warm and widespread welcome our recordings would receive in the U.S., and I want to reward that loyalty with a continuing commitment to choral recordings of the highest quality. Our classic recordings will remain available for new generations of music-lovers to discover, and as I continue to make new recordings with my choir the Cambridge Singers, our catalog will I hope remain an essential resource for all who truly appreciate the art of choral singing. I am confident that Naxos, with their high reputation, will serve our label well, and I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership."

After nearly a decade without major distribution in the States, Linn Records returns to U.S. retail after being named 'Label of the Year' at the recent Gramophone Awards. Linn has continued to build its reputation in recent years in part due to several award-winning releases which have highlighted the label's continued commitment to excellence: Grammy Award-winner Sir Charles Mackerras' recording of 'Mozart Symphonies 38-41' with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the 2007 Gramophone Baroque Vocal Recording of the Year, 'Handel's Messiah,' from the Dunedin Consort.

Gilad Tiefenbrun, Linn's Managing Director, commented: "Since being named Gramophone's Label of the Year demand from U.S. customers for Linn's award-winning titles is at an all time high, so this opportunity comes at an ideal time for Linn. The partnership with Naxos will also allow Linn to cement the label's growing presence and increase sales in this key territory, whilst furthering support for artists' U.S. performances."