Classical

Classical music on vinyl: modern classical, neo-classical and selected recordings

In short: The Vinyl Room currently has 171 classical records. The section is small and has a clear profile: most of it is modern classical and neo-classical music from recent years – Max Richter, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Ólafur Arnalds – plus selected recordings from the fifties to the eighties and border-crossers between classical, ambient and jazz such as Keith Jarrett.

What is modern classical and neo-classical?

Modern classical today mostly means composed music that combines classical instruments with electronics, minimal music and ambient. Neo-classical is the quieter variety, often played on piano or strings – music many people know from film and TV. Recordings by Max Richter and Jóhann Jóhannsson came out on the venerable Deutsche Grammophon label – a sign of how close classical and new music are today. (Modern classical and neo-classical are the terms we use to sort the shop.)

Why classical music on vinyl?

Because classical music has a lot of dynamics: quiet passages, big crescendos, a whole room full of sound. Well-pressed records render that very naturally. Many modern composers release on vinyl on purpose, often in lavish editions. With older recordings, orchestra, conductor and edition count – and of course condition, because quiet passages reveal every mark.

Which labels matter to collectors?

• Deutsche Grammophon – the yellow label, founded in 1898; recordings by Max Richter and Jóhann Jóhannsson came out there too.
• ECM – with its “New Series” from 1984 a home of its own for classical and new music; Keith Jarrett recorded Bach and Handel there, among others. Most ECM records here are jazz.

From our stock

Modern classical & neo-classical

Contemporary

Deutsche Grammophon

Browse by style: Modern classical · Neo-classical · Contemporary · Romantic

FAQ

What is neo-classical music? In our shop, the term for quiet, mostly piano- or string-based music of today that ties in with classical forms – for example by Max Richter or Ólafur Arnalds.

Why does condition matter so much with classical music? Because quiet passages make every crackle audible. Where we give it, the condition of record and sleeve is listed with the copy – if it’s missing, ask us.

Do you have older classical recordings? Yes, a small selection from the fifties to the eighties. The focus, though, is on modern classical.

Are there sealed classical records? Yes, some of the new editions are still factory sealed. You’ll find them in the filter under “Mint / Sealed”.

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