Deutsche Grammophon

German classical record label Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft (DGG), the world's oldest surviving record company, was founded in 1898 by Emile Berliner. Following a series of takeovers, it became part of the PolyGram company, which was itself taken over by Universal Music Group in 1999.

The company has a very solid reputation for high-quality classical recording, a notable roster of singers, musicians and conductors under contract, and a large back-catalogue of recordings. Its subsidiary label Archiv Produktion has increased interest in early music.

DGG also pioneered the introduction of the CD format, releasing classical music performed by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic in 1983.

Further information: deutschegrammophon.com

 

A selection of articles about Deutsche Grammophon

Classical music news. Obituary - John Nelson (1941-2025)

Spotlight. A Sense of Flow - Gerald Fenech convincingly recommends South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho's new recording for Deutsche Grammophon of Maurice Ravel's concertos. '... caressing warmth and spontaneous creativity.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Peter Schmidl (1942-2025)

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney - The Obscure Wait

Spotlight. Richly Coloured and Immediate - Gerald Fenech finds Yannick Nézet-Séguin's Brahms symphonies unmissable. '... charmingly descriptive music full of colourful expressiveness that is unjustly neglected.'

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney - Imaginary Concert No 2

Spotlight. A Great Discovery - Gerald Fenech listens to Mozart from the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and Tarmo Peltokoski. 'Inspirational performances ...'

Spotlight. Cinematic Imagery - Gerald Fenech warmly recommends film music by John Williams, played by the Saito Kinen Orchestra. 'Strongly recommended.'

Spotlight. Vibrantly Recommended - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Enescu. '... these performances are as dynamically dazzling as they are irrepressibly exciting and incandescent.'

Spotlight. Virtuosic Flair - Gerald Fenech recommends dance music played by Daniel Hope and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. 'Daniel Hope's fiddle-playing is just phenomenal ...'

Classical music news - International Opera Awards - A series of organisations and individuals were honoured at a ceremony in Poland on 9 November 2023, plus other news

Spotlight. An Extraordinary Tribute - Gerald Fenech recommends the soundtrack album of 'Maestro', the new film about Leonard Bernstein. '... brilliant sound and attractive presentation.'

Spotlight. Gorgeously Resplendent Playing - Gerald Fenech finds Andris Nelsons' recordings of Bruckner's symphonies simply outstanding. '... all the mystery and grandeur of these works are exposed in translucent music making.'

Spotlight. A Complete Triumph - Gerald Fenech is exhilarated by the Philadelphia Orchestra's recording of symphonies by Florence Price and William Dawson. '... a vibrant energy that makes the music sound as fresh and exciting as when it was first heard.'

Spotlight. A Gloriously Captivating Voice - Gerald Fenech listens to tenor Jonathan Tetelman singing Puccini. '... a must for all Puccini fans ...'

Spotlight. Shostakovich at his Sardonic Best - Geoff Pearce listens to symphonies by Dmitri Shostakovich connected to the year 1917. '... a very interesting and fine set.'

Spotlight. Plain Strange - Patrick Maxwell watches and listens to the new Deutsche Grammophon Blu-Ray disc of Wagner's 'Götterdämmerung' from Bayreuth. 'The singing and the playing are largely excellent, but this is not the greatest production available ...'

CD Spotlight. Beyond Recommendation - Gerald Fenech welcomes Rachmaninov orchestral music from the Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nézet-Séguin on Deutsche Grammophon. 'Intensity, ebullience, vibrancy, passion and realism are the ingredients of these performances ...'

CD Spotlight. All Praise - Nielsen symphonies, enthusiastically recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Maybe the best set ever of Nielsen's symphonic cycle in immaculate sound quality and sumptuous presentation.'

CD Spotlight. Lush and Tender - Geoff Pearce recommends a new recording of orchestral music and songs by Franz Schreker. '... these performances make a very compelling case to perform Schreker's music much more often.'

CD Spotlight. A Pleasant Surprise - Schubert songs with orchestral accompaniments, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'An absolute peach of a disc where everything falls into place with astute precision.'

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Selling like hot cakes ... maybe, hopefully

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - A New Look and Format

CD Spotlight. Subliminal Pedagogy - John Dante Prevedini listens to Thomas Quasthoff singing Schubert, Mahler and J S Bach at Verbier. 'Taken within the context of Verbier, this album documents just as effectively his gift for pedagogical modeling as it does his vocal virtuosity.'

CD Spotlight. Passionate Lyricism - Gerald Fenech listens to Daniel Barenboim conducting Schumann's symphonies. '... dazzling music-making that sweeps you off your feet.'

CD Spotlight. Magnificent Throughout - Robert McCarney listens to music by Mieczysław Weinberg. '... a wonderful rich ripe legato feel and sound.'

Classical music news. October 2022 Newsletter - Our October 2022 MP3 newsletter has just been published

CD Spotlight. Secret Love Letters - Lisa Batiashvili plays Chausson, Debussy, Franck and Szymanowski, warmly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Batiashvili plays this programme with ultra-sensitive feeling and moving emotional ardour that penetrate right to the heart of this sublime music which reveals the inscrutable depths of the human soul.'

Classical music news. Winners, Projects, Cancellations - Items in the news

CD Spotlight. Moving the World - Gerald Fenech listens to Dvořák's last three symphonies. '... Dudamel amplifies the turbulent emotions of each work with a power and intensity that you do not hear every day.'

CD Spotlight. Treasureable Qualities - Gerald Fenech listens to Andris Nelsons conducting two orchestras in music by Richard Strauss. '... superlative performances from both orchestras, who are on top form throughout.'

CD Spotlight. A Spirit of Newfound Confidence - Gerald Fenech listens to the last instalment of Andris Nelsons' Bruckner cycle for Deutsche Gramophon. 'Nelsons goes straight to the heart of this quite divinely inspired music with confidence and conviction ...'

Classical music news. Streaming, Downloads and CDs - Classical Music Daily's May 2021 Newsletter has just been published as a video podcast

CD Spotlight. Absolutely Fantastic - Music by Schnittke for violin and piano, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances are great all round, and this is a useful addition to anyone's collection.'

Ensemble. Turning Point - Leonard Bernstein's 'West Side Story' begins Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia's season, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Ravishingly Beautiful - Karl Jenkins' Cantata Memoria, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a deeply moving experience ...'

CD Spotlight. Treasurable Renditions - Sokolov at Salzburg, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... Sokolov's playing is mesmerizing throughout ...'

CD Spotlight. Great Authenticity - Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Ravel for piano duet, recommended by Howard Smith. '... these performances will fulfill the highest technical expectations.'

Sameness in Performance? - Geoff Pearce asks if we've lost something precious in our search for perfection, and argues for a return to national styles of playing

CD Spotlight. Varied Mythology - Deutsche Grammophon's Strauss opera compilation, sampled by Robert Anderson. '... a hugely enjoyable set ...'

Ensemble. Excellent Performance - Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic at the Movies, seen and heard by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Considered - Music for violin and viola, heard by Howard Smith. 'Braun has a firm, bright, highly focused tone ...'

CD Spotlight. Matchless Artistry - The Wihan Quartet plays Dvorák, recommended by Howard Smith. '... the finest of bravura chamber performances.'

CD Spotlight. Quite Magical - Marin Alsop conducts Dvorák Symphonies, enjoyed by Howard Smith. 'The Baltimores' finale sings and blazes with equal compulsion ...'