Lyrinx

Lyrinx is an independent French classical music record label based in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône. It was founded in 1976 by René Gambini (1935–2021), who launched the label with a recording of Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht (La Nuit transfigurée) performed by the Solistes de Marseille. The label quickly gained recognition in Japan and the United States for its natural, unadorned recording approach: two microphones and custom-built tube electronics, capturing performances under public concert conditions rather than in a studio. In the 1980s, Lyrinx delayed abandoning vinyl for CD as long as possible, reflecting the founder's view that early CD technology was not yet fully developed. In 1998, after Sony presented the Super Audio CD (SACD) format based on Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology at Abbey Road Studios, Lyrinx was given experimental equipment to test. The label subsequently made all its recordings in stereo DSD from 1998 and in multichannel (surround) DSD from January 2001, becoming the first French publisher to use this technology and one of the earliest in the world. The catalogue shows a clear preference for piano works but also gives prominence to chamber music, with orchestral recordings and one opera also included. Among the performers who built the catalogue are Alain Marion, Pierre Barbizet, Catherine Collard, Georges Pludermacher, Laurent Korcia, Jean-Claude Pennetier, Marie-Josèphe Jude, Katia Skanavi, Mūza Rubackytė, the Fine Arts Quartet, and many other musicians. Lyrinx discs have received numerous awards, both technical and musical. In May 2011, the label celebrated its 35th anniversary with three concerts on 15, 16, and 17 June 2011 at the Théâtre de la Criée in Marseille. The label's founder, René Gambini, died on 22 June 2021 at the age of 95. The trademark was filed on 12 May 2018 with INPI by Suzanne Gambini, agent of René Gambini. The official website lyrinx.com is currently under construction.

Lyrinx was founded in 1976 by René Gambini (1935–2021) with a first record: Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht (La Nuit transfigurée), performed by the Solistes de Marseille. The label quickly became known in Japan and the United States for its natural, unadorned recording approach, using two microphones and tube electronics specifically built for the label's needs, capturing performances under public concert conditions. In the 1980s, Lyrinx waited as long as possible before abandoning vinyl and moving to CD, because according to many specialists the CD technology was not yet fully developed. In 1998, following Sony's presentation at Abbey Road Studios of the new Super Audio CD (SACD) digital format based on Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology, Lyrinx was provided with experimental equipment to test. The label then made all its recordings in stereo DSD from 1998, and in multichannel (surround) DSD from January 2001, becoming the first French publisher to use this technology and one of the very first in the world. In May 2011, the label celebrated its 35th anniversary by organizing three concerts on 15, 16, and 17 June 2011 at the Théâtre de la Criée in Marseille. The label's creator, René Gambini, died on 22 June 2021 at the age of 95. The trademark was filed on 12 May 2018 with INPI by Suzanne Gambini, agent of René Gambini (according to the register, consulted on 13 July 2019). The catalogue shows a clear penchant for works for piano, but also gives prominence to chamber music. It also includes orchestral recordings and one opera. Among the performers who built it are Alain Marion, Pierre Barbizet, Catherine Collard, Georges Pludermacher, Laurent Korcia, Jean-Claude Pennetier, Marie-Josèphe Jude, Katia Skanavi, Mūza Rubackytė, the Fine Arts Quartet, and many other musicians. Lyrinx discs have received numerous awards, both technical and musical.

• 2021

  Founder René Gambini dies on 22 June at age 95

• 2018

  Trademark filed with INPI on 12 May by Suzanne Gambini

• 2011

  35th anniversary concerts on 15, 16, 17 June at Théâtre de la Criée, Marseille

• 2001

  Lyrinx begins multichannel (surround) DSD recordings in January

• 1998

  After Sony's SACD presentation at Abbey Road, Lyrinx adopts DSD stereo for all recordings

• 1980

  Label delays abandoning vinyl for CD as long as possible

• 1976

  Label founded by René Gambini with first record: Schoenberg's La Nuit transfigurée performed by Solistes de Marseille

Independent French classical label known for natural, audiophile-grade recordings using two microphones and custom tube electronics, and for pioneering DSD/SACD technology in France.

• Schoenberg: La Nuit transfigurée

• Piano works

• Chamber music

• Orchestral recordings

• One opera

1. 1Lyrinx.comlyrinx.com
2. 2Wikidata: Lyrinxwikidata.org
3. 3Wikipédia: Lyrinxfr.wikipedia.org