Cybele Records

Cybele Records is a German independent record label based in Düsseldorf and focused primarily on classical music, especially contemporary composition and repertoire that is under-recorded or relatively unfamiliar. Founded in 1994 by Ingo Schmidt-Lucas, the label was established with the intention of publishing contemporary music, literature, and niche classical repertoire while presenting established and new works through modern recording techniques. Its stated motto, “Klassik der Zukunft,” expresses an emphasis on music that extends the classical tradition into the present and future rather than concentrating only on the standard canon. The label’s catalogue combines recordings of contemporary composers, historical works that have received comparatively little commercial attention, and projects designed around high-fidelity listening. Cybele has been associated with formats and production methods including Super Audio CD and surround sound, positioning the company not simply as a distributor of performances but also as a specialist in detailed, immersive audio presentation. Its repertoire has included composer portraits and projects devoted to individual performers, composers, periods, and unusual instrumental literature. A notable early catalogue development was the publication of composer portraits, including releases devoted to Peter-Jan Wagemans and Graham Waterhouse in 2001. In 2004, Cybele marked its tenth anniversary with a compilation CD presenting works by different artists and composers. The company subsequently expanded beyond conventional music releases into spoken-word and audiobook publishing. Its Künstler im Gespräch series presented conversations between Mirjam Wiesemann and artists about their music, creating documentary and interpretive material alongside the label’s performance recordings. Cybele’s audiobook work received external recognition. In 2009, the label won an ECHO Classic award for the audiobook Die Prinzessin – Kindergeschichten, written and narrated by Arnold Schönberg. The label’s audiobook edition also received several distinctions, including the 2011 Deutscher Hörbuchpreis for best editorial achievement. These projects broadened Cybele’s identity from a specialist classical label into a publisher of music-related literature and spoken-word productions. The music catalogue has continued to emphasize repertory discovery. In 2009, Cybele released the first volume of Piano Works During & After Russian Futurism, performed by Thomas Günther, featuring music by Nikolai Obuchov, Ivan Wyschnegradsky, and Sergei Protopopov. A second volume followed in 2014, adding works by Arthur Vincent Lourie and further music by Protopopov. In 2016, the label issued the complete organ works of Max Reger, performed by Martin Schmeding on thirteen organs dating from the composer’s era. MusicWeb International selected that recording as its recording of the month for October 2016. Cybele’s overall positioning is therefore that of a discovery-oriented, technologically ambitious classical label. Its catalogue connects contemporary composition, historically informed or historically situated repertoire, specialist piano and organ projects, audiobooks, and artist-focused documentation. Publicly available reference material does not establish a corporate parent, listed status, ticker, or current executive structure beyond the label’s founder, so those fields remain unspecified here.

Cybele Records was founded in Düsseldorf in 1994 by Ingo Schmidt-Lucas. The founding concept combined the publication of contemporary music, literature, and rarely recorded repertoire with an interest in presenting classical music through modern sound production. This placed the label between a specialist classical publisher and an audio-focused independent record company. Rather than relying exclusively on familiar standard works, Cybele developed a catalogue oriented toward contemporary composers, unusual repertory, and technically ambitious recordings. The label’s early catalogue included composer portrait projects. In 2001, it published portraits of Peter-Jan Wagemans and Graham Waterhouse, helping establish a pattern of presenting contemporary composers through concentrated recording projects. In 2004, Cybele celebrated its tenth anniversary with a CD containing works by multiple artists and composers. The anniversary release reflected the label’s broad repertory approach and its interest in representing different strands of contemporary and classical music within one catalogue. Cybele later expanded into spoken-word publishing and audiobooks. Its Künstler im Gespräch series featured Mirjam Wiesemann in conversations with artists about their music. The series added contextual and documentary dimensions to the label’s recordings, allowing listeners to encounter musicians and composers through interviews as well as performances. The audiobook programme gained significant recognition in 2009, when Cybele received an ECHO Classic for Die Prinzessin – Kindergeschichten, written and spoken by Arnold Schönberg. The label’s audiobook editions also received multiple awards, including the Deutscher Hörbuchpreis in 2011 for best editorial achievement. Alongside this literary and spoken-word activity, Cybele continued its repertory-discovery mission. In 2009, it released the first volume of Piano Works During & After Russian Futurism, performed by Thomas Günther. The project brought together music by Nikolai Obuchov, Ivan Wyschnegradsky, and Sergei Protopopov, composers associated with a field that is less prominent in mainstream piano catalogues than the central nineteenth- and twentieth-century repertoire. A second volume appeared in 2014 and included works by Arthur Vincent Lourie as well as additional music by Protopopov. One of the label’s major later classical projects was the 2016 release of the complete organ works of Max Reger. Martin Schmeding performed the music on thirteen different organs dating from Reger’s era, linking the recorded repertoire to historically relevant instruments. MusicWeb International selected the recording as its recording of the month for October 2016, providing further critical attention to Cybele’s specialist catalogue. Throughout its documented history, Cybele has emphasized advanced audio technologies including Super Audio CD and surround sound. These formats supported the label’s broader ambition to offer classical music in a detailed and immersive sonic environment. Its catalogue has consequently combined three related activities: the documentation of contemporary and under-recorded music, the production of technically sophisticated recordings, and the publication of audiobooks and conversations about music. Public reference material does not provide a detailed account of later ownership, corporate restructuring, or the label’s current management, so those aspects remain unconfirmed.

• 2016

  Complete Max Reger organ works are issued

  [1]Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Martin Schmeding performs the complete organ works of Max Reger on thirteen historically relevant organs; MusicWeb International selects the recording as its October recording of the month.

• 2014

  Second Russian Futurism piano volume follows

  [1]Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  A second volume adds piano works by Arthur Vincent Lourie and Sergei Protopopov to the specialist series.

• 2011

  Audiobook programme wins German editorial award

  [1]Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Cybele’s audiobook edition receives the Deutscher Hörbuchpreis for best editorial achievement.

• 2009

  Audiobook receives ECHO Classic award

  [1]Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Die Prinzessin – Kindergeschichten, written and narrated by Arnold Schönberg, earns Cybele an ECHO Classic award.

• 2009

  First Russian Futurism piano volume is released

  [1]Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Thomas Günther performs the first volume of Piano Works During & After Russian Futurism, with music by Nikolai Obuchov, Ivan Wyschnegradsky, and Sergei Protopopov.

• 2004

  Tenth-anniversary compilation is released

  [1]Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Cybele marks its tenth anniversary with a CD featuring works by various artists and composers.

• 2001

  Contemporary-composer portraits are published

  [1]Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label publishes composer portrait projects devoted to Peter-Jan Wagemans and Graham Waterhouse.

• 1994

  Cybele Records is founded

  [1]Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Ingo Schmidt-Lucas establishes Cybele Records in Düsseldorf with a focus on contemporary music, literature, rarely recorded repertoire, and modern classical-music sound.

An independent, discovery-oriented classical label presenting contemporary composition, under-recorded repertoire, literary productions, and high-resolution or surround-sound recordings under the motto “Klassik der Zukunft” (“Classics of the future”).

• Classical recording series · 2001

  Contemporary composer portraits

  Cybele’s composer portrait releases present concentrated selections of music by individual contemporary composers. Documented examples include projects devoted to Peter-Jan Wagemans and Graham Waterhouse, published in 2001. These releases reflect the label’s preference for giving modern composers sustained catalogue attention rather than treating contemporary works only as isolated additions to mixed programmes.

• Audiobook and interview series

  Künstler im Gespräch

  Künstler im Gespräch is a spoken-word series in which Mirjam Wiesemann talks with artists about their music. The series extends Cybele’s publishing activity into musical conversation and documentary context, complementing performance recordings with first-person discussion of artistic work.

• Piano recording series · 2009

  Piano Works During & After Russian Futurism

  This specialist piano series, performed by Thomas Günther, explores works associated with Russian Futurism and its aftermath. The first volume, released in 2009, included Nikolai Obuchov, Ivan Wyschnegradsky, and Sergei Protopopov. A second volume followed in 2014 with music by Arthur Vincent Lourie and further works by Protopopov.

• Organ recording · 2016

  Complete organ works of Max Reger

  This 2016 project presents Martin Schmeding performing Max Reger’s complete organ works on thirteen organs dating from the composer’s time. The use of multiple historically relevant instruments makes the set both a comprehensive repertoire project and an instrument-focused recording undertaking.

• Audiobook · 2009

  Cybele audiobook editions

  Cybele’s audiobook catalogue includes literary and music-related spoken-word publications. A prominent example is Die Prinzessin – Kindergeschichten, written and narrated by Arnold Schönberg, which received an ECHO Classic award in 2009. The audiobook programme was also recognized by the Deutscher Hörbuchpreis in 2011.

• 2016

  Release of the complete Max Reger organ worksProduct launch

  Background

  The label pursued a comprehensive project around a major but technically demanding organ composer.

  Action taken

  Cybele issued Martin Schmeding’s complete recording of Reger’s organ works, made on thirteen organs from the composer’s period.

  Aftermath

  MusicWeb International selected the recording as its recording of the month for October 2016.

  Source

• 2009

  Expansion into audiobooks and artist conversationsStrategy

  Background

  After developing a specialist classical catalogue, Cybele broadened its publishing activity beyond performance recordings.

  Action taken

  The label began issuing audiobooks and the Künstler im Gespräch series of conversations between Mirjam Wiesemann and artists about their music.

  Aftermath

  The audiobook programme received major recognition, including an ECHO Classic award in 2009 and the Deutscher Hörbuchpreis for best editorial achievement in 2011.

  Source

• 2009

  Launch of Piano Works During & After Russian FuturismProduct launch

  Background

  Cybele’s discovery-oriented catalogue included music that was infrequently represented in mainstream piano recording programmes.

  Action taken

  The label released a first volume performed by Thomas Günther, featuring works by Nikolai Obuchov, Ivan Wyschnegradsky, and Sergei Protopopov.

  Aftermath

  A second volume followed in 2014, expanding the series with Arthur Vincent Lourie and additional Protopopov repertoire.

  Source

• 2004

  Marking the tenth anniversary with a multi-artist releaseOther

  Background

  Cybele Records reached its tenth year while maintaining a catalogue spanning contemporary and classical repertoire.

  Action taken

  The label issued a CD bringing together works by various artists and composers.

  Aftermath

  The anniversary project documented the breadth of the label’s catalogue; no further commercial outcome is specified in the reference material.

  Source

1. 1Cybele Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cybele Records – Klassik der Zukunft / Das entdeckerfreudige Label für neue und klassische Musik und für Literaturhd-klassik.com