Genuin Classics

Genuin Classics is an independent German classical music label and remote classical recording studio headquartered in Leipzig. The business originated in Detmold in 1998, when sound engineers Holger Busse and Alfredo Lasheras Hakobian established GENUIN Musikproduktion. Its name is derived from the Latin term “genuinus,” associated with ideas of innate character, authenticity and freedom from imitation—an appropriate emphasis for a label built around carefully produced classical recordings. The label operation itself began in January 2003, when GENUIN started distributing compact discs throughout Germany. Much of its repertoire was produced by the company’s own recording engineers, allowing the label to combine artist development, recording supervision and release management within a comparatively integrated independent structure. In 2005 the company moved from Detmold to Leipzig. The relocation strengthened its relationship with the city’s musical institutions, particularly German broadcaster MDR and the Leipzig Gewandhaus, and placed the company in one of Europe’s most important classical-music centers. Tonmeister Michael Silberhorn joined the company in January 2006. In 2009, GENUIN Musikproduktion reorganized its activities into two closely related areas: the GENUIN classics label and the GENUIN recording group music-production business. This structure reflected the company’s dual role as a publisher of recordings and a provider of specialist recording services for orchestras, ensembles and individual musicians. GENUIN’s repertoire spans a broad historical range, from Renaissance music through the standard Classical and Romantic repertories to contemporary and New Music. Alongside established works, the label has emphasized rarely performed compositions and recordings by promising younger artists. This combination gives the catalog a discovery-oriented profile rather than limiting it to the most commercially familiar classical titles. The company’s recording engineers have also worked with orchestras and ensembles beyond releases issued solely under the GENUIN name, extending the brand’s presence into the wider professional recording sector. The catalog has grown to approximately 800 classical albums, with distribution through specialist compact-disc retailers, record shops and international digital download and streaming services. GENUIN recordings have received recognition including the ECHO Klassik, Opus Klassik and Diapason d’Or, while some releases or associated artists have also received nominations for the Grammy Awards and the MIDEM Classical Awards. These distinctions have helped establish GENUIN as a respected specialist label within the international classical recording market. The brand’s current identity rests on three linked propositions: high-quality engineering, a broad but selective classical repertoire, and support for artists and works that may be underrepresented in mainstream catalogues. Rather than operating as a mass-market entertainment label, Genuin Classics functions as a focused independent imprint whose value is tied to recording quality, musical curation and long-term catalog development.

GENUIN began in 1998 in Detmold, Germany, as GENUIN Musikproduktion, founded by sound engineers Holger Busse and Alfredo Lasheras Hakobian. The initial business was centered on specialist classical recording and production rather than on a conventional mass-market label model. This technical foundation remained important to the company’s later identity, because many GENUIN releases were recorded and produced by its own engineering team. In January 2003, the company expanded its activities by launching the GENUIN classical label and distributing compact discs throughout Germany. The label’s catalog was designed to cover the classical tradition broadly while retaining room for less frequently performed repertoire and recordings by younger musicians. This approach allowed GENUIN to develop a distinctive profile among independent classical publishers, where catalog depth and recording standards could matter as much as the commercial prominence of the repertoire. The company relocated from Detmold to Leipzig in 2005. Leipzig provided a particularly strong institutional and cultural environment for classical music, and the move was followed by productive cooperation with German broadcaster MDR and the Leipzig Gewandhaus. In January 2006, Tonmeister Michael Silberhorn joined the organization, strengthening its specialist production capabilities. During 2009, GENUIN Musikproduktion reorganized its business into the GENUIN classics label and the GENUIN recording group music-production company. The division clarified the difference between issuing recordings under the GENUIN name and providing recording services for external artists, ensembles and orchestras. GENUIN therefore developed as both a record label and a professional recording partner. Its repertoire extends from Renaissance music to contemporary and New Music, with particular attention to unusual works and developing artists. The company’s engineers have recorded a range of orchestras and ensembles, while the label has built a catalog of roughly 800 classical albums. Releases have reached audiences through specialist physical retailers, record stores, digital-download platforms and streaming services in international markets. Recognition for GENUIN recordings has included ECHO Klassik, Opus Klassik and Diapason d’Or awards. The catalog or participating artists have also been connected with nominations for the Grammy Awards and the MIDEM Classical Awards. These honors have reinforced the label’s reputation for high-quality classical production and curatorial breadth. GENUIN’s present profile is that of a specialist independent classical operation whose activities combine label publishing, archival and contemporary repertoire development, artist support and remote recording expertise.

• 2009

  Operations reorganized into label and recording divisions

  [1]Genuin (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  GENUIN Musikproduktion restructured its activities as the GENUIN classics label and the GENUIN recording group music-production company.

• 2006

  Michael Silberhorn joins the company

  [1]Genuin (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  Tonmeister Michael Silberhorn joined GENUIN in January, adding to its specialist sound-production expertise.

• 2005

  Company relocates to Leipzig

  [1]Genuin (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  GENUIN moved from Detmold to Leipzig, leading to productive cooperation with MDR and the Leipzig Gewandhaus.

• 2003

  GENUIN classical label begins distribution

  [1]Genuin (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  In January, the GENUIN classical label began distributing compact discs throughout Germany, with many releases produced by its own recording engineers.

• 1998

  GENUIN Musikproduktion founded in Detmold

  [1]Genuin (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  Sound engineers Holger Busse and Alfredo Lasheras Hakobian established the company in Detmold, Germany, creating the production base from which the later label developed.

An independent, quality-focused classical label and specialist recording company combining professional engineering, broad historical repertoire, contemporary music, rare works and support for emerging recording artists.

• Classical music recordings · 2003

  GENUIN classical albums

  The core GENUIN product is its catalog of classical recordings, issued physically and digitally. The repertoire ranges from Renaissance music through standard historical repertories to contemporary and New Music. Releases often combine established works with less frequently performed compositions and recordings by younger artists. The catalog is distributed through specialist retailers, record stores, downloads and streaming platforms, giving the imprint an international specialist audience.

• Recording and music-production services · 2009

  GENUIN recording group

  The GENUIN recording group is the company’s production-services activity. Its engineers provide specialist classical recording work for orchestras, ensembles, solo musicians and other musical institutions. The division emerged clearly in the 2009 restructuring and reflects GENUIN’s origin as a sound-engineering business rather than only a publishing imprint. Its work supports both GENUIN releases and recordings produced for external partners.

• 2009

  Separate label publishing from recording productionStrategy

  Background

  By 2009, GENUIN had developed both a classical record catalog and a professional recording-services operation.

  Action taken

  The company reorganized GENUIN Musikproduktion into the GENUIN classics label and the GENUIN recording group music-production company.

  Aftermath

  The structure positioned GENUIN as both an independent classical imprint and a specialist recording partner for artists, ensembles and orchestras.

  Source

1. 1Genuin (record label)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2GENUIN official websitegenuinclassics.com