Varèse Sarabande

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Varèse Sarabande logo.
Varèse Sarabande logo.

Varèse Sarabande is a record label which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue of rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract. The label's name was derived from combining French-born composer Edgard Varèse's last name with the musical term, sarabande, a slow Spanish dance.

Originally founded in 1978 by Tom Null, Chris Kuchler and Scot W. Holton, this label was first stationed at 6404 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. During its early years, it issued classical music and film score LPs to the world's largest producer of original motion picture scores on compact disc. In 2003, Varèse celebrated its 25th anniversary by releasing two CD sets. In 2008, Varèse will be commemorating their 30th anniversary with another special collection release.

Presently, the label resides at 11846 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, California and is overseen by executive producer Robert Townson, who has long been an impassioned advocate for the art of motion picture scoring. To-date, he has produced over 900 CD releases and is a staunch supporter of the latest generation of composers, including Alexandre Desplat, Brian Tyler, Marco Beltrami, John Powell and Michael Giacchino.

Varèse Sarabande releases oldies and reissues through its Varèse Vintage imprint. Overseen by 38-year music industry veteran producer Cary E. Mansfield, who has been involved in all aspects of the music industry from sales to production for many major record labels including Universal Music and Motown Records for which he produced the critically acclaimed Hitsville USA box sets. Varèse Vintage is dedicated to the preservation of multi-genre pop music from the 50s, 60s and 70s and has produced over 600 releases.

The label also handles exclusive distribution for other specialty labels; Fynsworth Alley, Fuel 2000, Sunswept Music, Perpetual Music, 10 Spot, Water Music Records, Wildcat Records and Blues Highway.

Contents

[edit] 47000 Series

Varèse first began producing CDs in 1985 and their initial releases in this series are most prized by collectors, especially those without a bar code. This CD line remained in production until 1988 under the supervision of executive producers Richard Kraft and Tom Null.

[edit] 70400 Series

The enigmatic gap between the 47000 series and the mainline series 5200+ which still runs today. It is unclear as to why the European inspired numbering took place (which was especially evident on all LP releases during this period) and also could be seen as 470 rearranged as 704. That also sheds some light on the 47100 releases as they were also pressed between 1987-1988.

[edit] The Main Series

When Varèse began its partnership with MCA Distribution in 1988, the benefits of this deal was nationwide availability of Varèse CDs and access to re-issue long out-of-print MCA catalogue soundtrack LPs onto CD. The label adopted the MCA catalog numbering system with the prefix VSD and a subsequent number to denote multiple-disc sets (VSD2, VSD3, etc.) or a video release (VHV) as that was required for all labels in the MCA distribution system. When the MCA and PolyGram families merged, creating the Universal Music Group, it adopted PolyGram's catalog numbering system, which used the middle 10 digits of the UPC bar code as the basis for the catalog number. Since the actual number sequence has not changed, this list utilizes the older MCA numbering system for reference.

Also as Varèse grew, it branched into other musical venues and imprints including Varèse Spotlight which focused on original cast recordings, Varèse Vintage which re-issues all genres of oldies and Wildcat which focused on various rock recordings. All divisions share the same catalog numbering system, but only the Varèse, Spotlight and Vintage imprints share the same number sequence.
Image:Varèse Club.jpg

[edit] CD Club

In the aftermath of Varèse's new association with the MCA Distribution Corp., the long advertised CD Club debuted in March 1989 as mail order exclusives. Those who mailed contact information to the label, as advertised in many Varèse CD inlay cards, received a yearly flyer announcing the limited edition discs. This first incarnation of the club ran from 1989-1992 and clearly took advantage of the MCA partnership as several of the titles came directly from their vault. This was also a venue for Varèse to issue scores from their own catalogue that were deemed unworthy of a more mainstream release. All releases were hand numbered and limited to runs of 1000, 1200, 1500 or 2500 and sold for $19.98 each. The assigned catalogue numbers correspond to year then month of release with the volume number following the decimal. All first generation club titles were produced by Robert Townson and Tom Null.

[edit] Masters Film Music

A moniker that first appeared on the original release of The Final Conflict which became a full fledged series of CDs when the club launched in 1989. These albums represent the finest film scores ever composed by the greatest composers of our era. This sub-division was spearheaded by Robert Townson long before he became executive producer of Varèse. The CDs are limited editions sold in tandem with Varèse Club releases and, unlike the second generation of club volumes, did not change its numbering system when the club resumed production in 2001. SRS, by the way, stands for special release series. This series also includes the first box set Varèse Sarabande ever produced: Bernard Herrmann - The Concert Suites.

[edit] The CD Club Returns

After an over nine year hiatus, the club returned, thanks to a change in re-use fee policies (plus cooperative studio licensing) and the rise of the internet. In light of Film Score Monthly's success in marketing limited edition scores from the archives of major studios (beginning with 20th Century Fox), Varèse responded by relaunching their club in equal fashion. This time, however, the club would release titles at a quarterly interval, but has since changed to a tri-annual schedule. A new numbering system was devised consisting of the month then year followed by the volume number (1000).

[edit] Colossal Records

This peculiar off-shoot of Varèse with a name inspired by their German counterpart, Colosseum Schallplatten, was a short lived (1989-1992) series that made available scores that were not worthy of the Varèse Sarabande name yet were produced like one. Oddly enough, Bed And Breakfast retains Varèse markings but uses a Colossal catalogue number.

[edit] Colosseum Schallplatten

This German record label (based in Nuremberg) is Varèse Sarabande's European equivalent which markets most Varèse titles overseas and has done so since the inception of the 47000 CD series. Speaking of which, the initial Varèse CDs sold in Europe were either imported from Varèse or pressed by Colosseum using JVC disc technology. Varèse pressed CDs featured a solid black design while the Colosseum pressings had the same designs printed in outline red. Thus each label could print titles independently and many Varèse titles that went out-of-print in the US were sometimes available from Colosseum.

After 1989, Colosseum made several CD pressings that were exclusive to Europe and, because of their connection to Varèse, were given a VSD catalogue number. Presently, Colosseum has expanded their output with their own series of releases apart from the Varèse line with CVS replacing VSD on specific European pressings of new Varèse titles. Some VSD listings are occasionally visible on certain reissues and exclusive digital downloads.

The label is also the exclusive distributor of Varèse Club titles in Europe and occasionally has titles available long after they sell out in America.

[edit] Labels specializing in film score releases

[edit] See also

[edit] External links