Denon Classics Named #1 Independent Classical Label by Billboard Magazine in 2009!

Denon Classics Named #1 Independent Classical Label by Billboard Magazine in 2009!

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Denon Classics, a unit of the Savoy Label Group (SLG), is once again the U.S.'s #1 independent Classical label for 2009 according to Billboard Magazine. Buoyed by phenomenal sales of their Most Relaxing Classical series plus another Top 5 year-end standing for cornerstone classical artist Andre Rieu, Denon Classics once again lead all other independent and traditional classical music labels (plus EMI Classics), for the sixth year in a row! One of the most successful independent labels, SLG is distributed by Fontana Distribution, the independent arm of UMGD in the U.S.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081217/LA52981LOGO)

Denon Classics has enjoyed continued success by possessing a deep catalog of traditional classical recordings and blockbuster releases by artists such as Andre Rieu . The label has effectively promoted and marketed traditional classical music through their Most Relaxing series of releases which are the premier examples in the industry.

In addition, Andre Rieu has earned the distinction year after year as the #1 pledge drive artist for PBS and consistently places in the top tier of overall classical artists (he was the #1 overall classical music artist in 2008 according to Billboard). This year Rieu ranked #4 overall (behind The Priests, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo), on the strength of releases such as "Live in Vienna " (#7 overall) and a collection of Greatest Hits (#8), plus the just-released "Live in Dresden."

2010 is certain to be another banner year for Denon Classics and particularly with Rieu as his new release "Live in Dresden" is currently enjoying national airings on PBS stations throughout the fall and holiday season. Rieu will embark on a worldwide stadium tour in the early part of 2010 as well.

For more information, visit:
www.denonclassics.com

Denon Classics is a unit of the Savoy Label Group (SLG) which features not only the historic Savoy Jazz label but also the SLG and 429 Records labels. Savoy Label Group is the North American unit of Columbia Music Entertainment (formerly Nippon Columbia), the oldest music company in Japan. SLG is lead by Steve Vining and CME is headed by Chairman Strauss Zelnick, founder of Zelnick Media which owns interests in and manages an array of media companies.

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AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Denon Classics

CONTACT: Kurt Nishimura of SILVERLAKE MEDIA, +1-323-663-6303,
kurtnishimura@earthlink.net, for Denon Classics

Web Site: http://www.denonclassics.com/

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