Apple has acquired Swedish classical music label BIS Records, which will now operate alongside the tech giant's artist services business Platoon and the standalone Apple Music Classical app that it launched earlier this year.
The label's founder Robert Von Bahr announced the Apple deal in a statement on the company's website. Noting that the label has just passed its 50th birthday, he states: "BIS's specialty, while paying our dues to the core repertoire, has been to nurture young classical artists and interesting living composers and to safeguard the musical treasure that we all represent long into the future”.
“It is to that end that, after much careful consideration, and having just turned 80, I am excited to announce the rather momentous news that we have made the decision to become part of the Apple family".
"We thought long and hard on how to maintain and build upon our prestigious history", he goes on, "and looked for a partner who would further our mission, as well as an increased global platform to bring classical music to new audiences all over the world”.
“Apple, with its own storied history of innovation and love of music, is the ideal home to usher in the next era of classical and has shown true commitment towards building a future in which classical music and technology work in harmony. It is my vision and my sincerest dream that we are all a part of this future".
In addition to Apple's decision to launch a standalone app for classical music, Von Bahr also bigs up his new business partner's moves in the high quality audio domain.
"Apple and BIS also share a fundamental belief in the importance of preserving audio quality", he writes. "As you are all aware, BIS has always been about exceptional sound quality, and Apple's dedication to sound, as well as to Spatial Audio, is something I have followed with interest".
Apple launched its standalone classical music app in March, having previously acquired classical streaming service Primephonic back in 2021. Artist services firm Platoon, founded by original AWAL founder and long-time Apple consultant Denzyl Feigelson, was acquired by the tech giant in 2018.
