Resonate

The Raleigh-based North Carolina Symphony announced this week that it has signed its first contract with a commercial record label — Swedish label BIS. The contract is for two albums; the symphony will begin recording the first album next week.

Surprisingly enough, three local patrons are to thank for the symphony’s record deal. Sandra Henson and Bob and Connie Eby gave six-figure gifts to the orchestra, according to the local newspaper. That money will pay for the recording process, and the record label will incur the cost of distributing the CDs.

This seems to contradict the common idea that a record deal covers the recording costs – which are quite hefty. But perhaps in a genre where most ensembles are accustomed to self-releasing their recordings, this is not unusual.

BIS prides itself on making a conscious effort to record works composed or conducted by women, according to its Web site. The label also has a reputation for recording both early music and contemporary music. On the N.C. Symphony’s first album, the symphony will perform with Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis. The second album will feature 28-year-old pianist Yevgeny Sudbin performing music by Russian composers.