Reference Recordings Competitors

Deutsche Grammophon is a German classical record label which was the foundation of the future corporation to be known as PolyGram. It is now part of Universal Music Group (UMG) since its acquisition and absorption of PolyGram in 1999, and it is also UMG's oldest active label. It is also the oldest surviving established record company, founded in 1898.

World renowned record label working with established musicians and rising recording stars including Robert Plant, Imelda May, Melody Gardot, Eric Whitacre, Andre Rieu, Alfie Boe and Andrea Bocelli. View our 'Product & Services' page for more on our chart topping albums and artists.

Founded by producer Manfred Eicher in Munich in 1969, ECM has released more than 1700 recordings spanning a broad range of idioms. After establishing an early reputation with standard-setting jazz and improvised music albums, including Keith Jarrett’s landmark “The Köln Concert”, ECM launched its New Series line in 1984 to emphasize contemporary composition, finding immediate success with Arvo Pärt’s “Tabula rasa”. The music and art of ECM have been the subjects of books, films and exhibitions around the globe, and both the label and its founder have won numerous awards.