News

The last couple of years have been a bumpy ride for Reference Recordings. The company's troubles began two years ago this week when it was announced that it had been acquired by The Dorian Group after more than 25 years as an independent label dedicated to audiophile sonics.

At first blush, the deal seemed like a positive step for the small label, which had found itself struggling to stay above water in a troubled music business. New releases were announced, and key staff kept on the payroll. But despite promises of bigger things to come, Dorian quickly unraveled, taking Reference with it.

With Dorian now on the block, Reference's principals began to get nervous, contending that Dorian never properly completed its purchase of the label, and therefore did not actually own it. A struggle ensued to separate Reference from Dorian, and at the same time it was briefly understood that Koch had purchased the Reference assets for $75,000. Koch retracted its offer, and the legal battle continued.

The story may now have taken a turn for the better as Reference announced last week, "After a long and costly legal battle, we have won our lawsuit and are now separated completely from The Dorian Group. All assets and rights to the label and catalogue have been returned to us."

Reference now says that plans are under way to re-establish the label by early October 2005 and that they have just signed an exclusive agreement for the United States and Canada with their pre-Dorian distributor, Allegro Corporation and Allegro Entertainment Canada.

The first order of business for the new Reference will be to "re-promote" its most recent releases including Grammy Award winner Argento: Casa Guidi, Organ Sensation Felix Hell, Tavener: Ikon Of Eros, Skrowaczewski: Concerto Nicolò; Concerto for Orchestra, and Bells For Stokowski.

According to Reference, new releases will begin in January 2006, starting with Five O'Clock Foxtrot, a collection of orchestral music by Maurice Ravel, with Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra. Next year will also mark the 30th anniversary of Reference Recordings, and the company's Marcia Martin says, "Our multi-Grammy awarded and nominated label remains completely dedicated to the highest standards of recording art and technology."