Naxos founder acquires Chandos Records

Chandos Records has today been acquired by Naxos founder, Klaus Heymann. The Naxos Music Group ​will now handle worldwide physical and digital distribution for Chandos.

The acquisition ‘builds on the long-standing commercial relationship’ between Chandos and Naxos will not disrupt Chandos’ current schedule of new recordings. Managing director Ralph Couzens, son of label founder Brian Couzens and the engineer behind the highly acclaimed ‘Chandos sound’, will continue to run the company.

Couzens said: ‘I’m delighted that after our very first meeting I found that Klaus Heymann, like me, had such a passion for classical music and its recorded legacy – a passion that I have increasingly felt is missing within our industry. Going forward I really believe the synergy between Chandos and Klaus’ team will develop a new era in Classical recording. I’m thrilled that the Chandos artist roster, A&R policy, engineering and production process will remain unchanged, protecting the future of the Chandos brand for years to come.’

Founded in 1979, Chandos Records now holds a catalogue of over 3,000 recordings and has built relationships with a roster of established artists. The label continues to produce between 40 and 50 new recordings each year, and in 2022 won Gramophone magazine’s Record Label of the Year award.

Klaus Heymann, who founded Naxos Music Group in 1987, said: ‘I was delighted to have this opportunity to expand and deepen the long-standing distribution and marketing relationship between Chandos Records and the Naxos Music Group. I decided to acquire Chandos personally to give Ralph the certainty that the label will remain independent long-term. Ralph Couzens has successfully led Chandos for the last 20 years and I am grateful to him for agreeing to continue running the company which is essential for maintaining its image and status, especially when it comes to A & R policy… I will do my best to keep the company among the leading classical labels in the world.’