Auvidis

Auvidis was a French record label established in 1976 by Louis Bricard. Its catalogue and business developed through a combination of label creation and acquisitions, giving the company a presence across several specialized areas of recorded music rather than limiting it to a single genre. Among the labels associated with Auvidis were Unidisc, the traditional and world-music imprint Silex, and a group of classical labels including Valois, Astrée, and Disques Montaigne. The company’s portfolio reflected the structure of the French independent-recording sector in the late twentieth century. Silex had been founded in 1990 by André Ricros and Philippe Krumm and focused on traditional and world music. Auvidis also acquired classical catalogues connected with labels founded by Michel Bernstein, including Valois and Astrée. These additions broadened the company’s artistic and commercial scope and positioned it as a multi-imprint specialist with interests in classical, traditional, world, and other culturally oriented repertoire. Auvidis also created new imprints of its own. Travelling was launched in 1993 to develop and release soundtracks. In 1997, the company created Fontalis to market the work of Jordi Savall, a prominent performer and interpreter associated with early music. Savall later departed to establish his own label, Alia Vox, making Fontalis an example of Auvidis’s role in developing focused artist and repertoire platforms while artists could subsequently pursue independent label strategies. In 1998, Auvidis and its subsidiaries were acquired by Naïve Records. The transaction marked the end of Auvidis as an independent label organization, although its importance continued through the catalogues, imprints, and artist relationships brought into Naïve’s broader recorded-music activities. Because the available reference material does not document a separate current operating structure, Auvidis is best treated as a defunct historical record-label brand rather than an active standalone company.

Auvidis was founded in France in 1976 by Louis Bricard. The label operated within the independent recorded-music sector and expanded its activities through a mixture of catalogue acquisitions and the creation of new imprints. Rather than being identified with only one repertoire category, Auvidis assembled a portfolio that covered classical music, traditional and world music, soundtracks, and early music. A significant part of this expansion came through associated labels. Auvidis acquired Unidisc and the traditional and world-music label Silex. Silex had been founded in 1990 by André Ricros and Philippe Krumm. The company also acquired classical labels including Valois and Astrée, both founded by Michel Bernstein, as well as Disques Montaigne. These transactions gave Auvidis access to distinct catalogues and specialist editorial identities while allowing it to operate as a broader multi-label organization. Auvidis complemented these acquisitions with internally developed imprints. Travelling was created in 1993 to build a soundtrack-focused activity. In 1997, Auvidis launched Fontalis to market the work of Jordi Savall. Savall subsequently left the relationship to establish Alia Vox, his own label, but the Fontalis initiative illustrates Auvidis's willingness to build dedicated platforms around particular artists and repertoires. The company's independent period ended in 1998, when Naïve Records acquired Auvidis and its subsidiaries. The acquisition consolidated Auvidis's label assets and catalogues within Naïve's activities. Publicly available reference material does not provide enough detail to determine the precise post-acquisition treatment of every imprint or catalogue, but the acquisition is the key event marking the transition of Auvidis from an independent operating label to a historical brand and catalogue lineage associated with Naïve Records.

• 1998

  Acquisition by Naïve Records

  [1]Auvidisen.wikipedia.org

  Naïve Records acquired Auvidis together with its subsidiaries, ending Auvidis's independent corporate period.

• 1997

  Fontalis imprint is created

  [1]Auvidisen.wikipedia.org

  Auvidis created Fontalis to market the work of Jordi Savall.

• 1993

  Travelling imprint is created

  [1]Auvidisen.wikipedia.org

  Auvidis created Travelling to develop soundtrack releases.

• 1990

  Silex is founded

  [1]Auvidisen.wikipedia.org

  André Ricros and Philippe Krumm founded Silex, a traditional and world-music label later acquired by Auvidis.

• 1976

  Auvidis is founded

  [1]Auvidisen.wikipedia.org

  Louis Bricard founded Auvidis in France as an independent record label.

Independent French multi-imprint record company with a strong orientation toward classical, traditional, world, early-music, and soundtrack repertoire.

• Recorded music catalogue · 1976

  Auvidis catalogue

  The core Auvidis catalogue consisted of recorded-music releases issued under the main label and its associated imprints. Its scope extended across specialist repertoire, including classical, traditional, world, early-music, and soundtrack recordings. After the 1998 acquisition, the catalogue became part of the assets brought into Naïve Records.

• Traditional and world music · 1990

  Silex

  Silex was a traditional and world-music label founded by André Ricros and Philippe Krumm in 1990. Auvidis later acquired the imprint, adding its specialist repertoire and identity to the broader Auvidis label portfolio.

• Classical music

  Valois

  Valois was one of the classical labels associated with Auvidis through acquisition. It was founded by Michel Bernstein and contributed classical recordings and catalogue assets to Auvidis's multi-imprint structure.

• Classical and early music

  Astrée

  Astrée was a classical label founded by Michel Bernstein and later acquired by Auvidis. Its inclusion strengthened Auvidis's position in specialized classical and historically informed repertoire.

• Recorded music

  Disques Montaigne

  Disques Montaigne was among the labels acquired or controlled within Auvidis's broader portfolio. The available reference material identifies it as part of the company's expansion but does not provide enough detail to characterize its full catalogue.

• Soundtracks · 1993

  Travelling

  Travelling was an Auvidis-created imprint launched in 1993 to develop soundtrack releases. It represented an expansion beyond the company's classical, traditional, and world-music activities into music connected with film and other screen productions.

• Early and classical music · 1997

  Fontalis

  Fontalis was created by Auvidis in 1997 to market the work of Jordi Savall. The imprint provided a focused platform for Savall's repertoire before he later left to establish Alia Vox.

• 1998

  Sale to Naïve RecordsM&A

  Background

  Auvidis had assembled a group of labels and catalogues spanning several specialist music categories.

  Action taken

  Naïve Records acquired Auvidis and its subsidiaries.

  Aftermath

  The transaction ended Auvidis's independent operation and transferred its label assets and catalogues into Naïve Records' business.

  Source

• 1997

  Creation of Fontalis for Jordi SavallProduct launch

  Background

  Auvidis sought to provide a dedicated label platform for Jordi Savall's recordings and related repertoire.

  Action taken

  Auvidis created the Fontalis imprint to market Savall's work.

  Aftermath

  Savall later left Auvidis to establish Alia Vox, while the available source does not specify the subsequent detailed fate of Fontalis.

  Source

• 1993

  Expansion into soundtrack publishing through TravellingStrategy

  Background

  Auvidis had developed a portfolio centered on specialist recorded music and sought an additional editorial focus.

  Action taken

  The company created Travelling as an imprint dedicated to developing soundtrack releases.

  Aftermath

  The move broadened Auvidis's portfolio beyond its established classical, traditional, and world-music activities; detailed commercial results are not documented in the available sources.

  Source

1. 1Auvidisen.wikipedia.org