Classic Produktion Osnabrück
Record label filling niches in classical repertory since 1986.
Classic Produktion Osnabrück, commonly abbreviated as cpo (in lowercase), was established in 1986 by Georg Ortmann and a group of co-founders. The label’s stated goal is to address gaps in the classical recording catalog, focusing particularly on Romantic, late-Romantic, and 20th-century works, and to issue complete cycles of recordings—such as full sets of symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. It serves as the in-house label for the online retailer jpc.
The label’s releases include concertos, suites, cantatas, and chamber music by Georg Philipp Telemann; the complete orchestral works and string quartets of Paul Hindemith; the complete string quartets of Mieczysław Weinberg; the complete orchestral works of Erich Wolfgang Korngold; the complete symphonies and selected orchestral and chamber works of Ernst Krenek; the orchestral works of Hans Pfitzner (along with much of his chamber music); the symphonies and string quartets of Benjamin Frankel; the symphonies and orchestral works of Théodore Gouvy; the symphonies, concertos, and string quartets of Ahmet Adnan Saygun; the symphonies and overtures of Ferdinand Ries; the symphonies and overtures of Friedrich Ernst Fesca; the orchestral works (symphonies and overtures) of Louise Farrenc (plus a large portion of her chamber music); the symphonies, violin concerto, and requiem of Richard Wetz; the symphonies of Hendrik Andriessen; the symphonies of Kurt Atterberg; the symphonies of Allan Pettersson; the symphonies of Wilhelm Peterson-Berger; the symphonies of Ture Rangström; the symphonies of Humphrey Searle; the symphonies of George Onslow; the complete symphonies and selected concertos of Aulis Sallinen; the complete wind quintets of Anton Reicha; the complete symphonic works of Siegmund von Hausegger; the symphonies of Darius Milhaud; the violin concertos and symphonies of Louis Spohr; and the symphonies of Josef Tal. While some of these works—such as most Hindemith compositions, Spohr’s symphonies, some Spohr concertos, and various Pfitzner orchestral pieces—had been recorded before by other performers on other labels, many had not.
Key personnel include Gerhard Georg Ortmann as Managing Director and Burkhard Schmilgun as Director of Artists & Repertoire.
- founded
- 1986
- founder
- Georg Ortmann and several others
- field
- Classical music recording
- known_for
- Filling niches in classical repertory, releasing complete cycles of works by lesser-known composers
- managing_director
- Gerhard Georg Ortmann
- director_artists_and_repertoire
- Burkhard Schmilgun
Lore & Background
Classic Produktion Osnabrück, commonly referred to as cpo, was established in 1986 by Georg Ortmann and several others. The label's stated mission is to address gaps in the recorded classical repertoire, focusing particularly on romantic, late romantic, and 20th-century music. It also aims to release complete cycles of recordings, such as complete sets of symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. cpo serves as the house label of the online retailer jpc.
The label has issued extensive recordings of works by composers including Georg Philipp Telemann, Paul Hindemith, Mieczysław Weinberg, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Ernst Krenek, Hans Pfitzner, Benjamin Frankel, Théodore Gouvy, Ahmet Adnan Saygun, Ferdinand Ries, Friedrich Ernst Fesca, Louise Farrenc, Richard Wetz, Hendrik Andriessen, Kurt Atterberg, Allan Pettersson, Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Ture Rangström, Humphrey Searle, George Onslow, Aulis Sallinen, Anton Reicha, Siegmund von Hausegger, Darius Milhaud, Louis Spohr, and Josef Tal. Some of these works had been recorded previously by other performers on other labels, but many had not.
Reader's Guide
Classic Produktion Osnabrück has played a significant role in expanding the recorded classical music canon by focusing on neglected or underrepresented composers and works. Its emphasis on complete cycles—such as the symphonies of Kurt Atterberg, Allan Pettersson, and Louise Farrenc—has made available comprehensive bodies of work that were previously difficult to access. By recording both well-known and obscure pieces, cpo has provided a valuable resource for scholars, performers, and listeners interested in the breadth of classical music history. The label's recognition includes a 2014 Grammy and the 2017 Telemann Prize, underscoring its impact on the recording industry and its commitment to musical discovery.
Did You Know?
- cpo was founded in 1986 by Georg Ortmann and several others.
- The label's declared mission is to fill niches in the recorded classical repertory, with an emphasis on romantic, late romantic, and 20th-century music.
- cpo is the house label of online retailer jpc.
- The label has won a 2014 Grammy and the 2017 Telemann Prize.
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