Hyperion Records Now on Streaming

by Bill Heck

Those of our readers who use streaming to listen to classical music will be pleased to hear that Hyperion Records is making its catalog of recordings available on all streaming platforms. Many of us had been hoping for this development in the four months since Universal Music Group (UMG) acquired Hyperion, and now it has come to pass.

The first 200 albums were released in late July; subsequent collections will follow every two weeks starting September 15, with the entire catalog of over 2,000 albums released by next spring. Going forward from now, all new Hyperion titles will be simultaneously available for streaming, physical purchase, and download.

To my knowledge, Hyperion is – or rather was – the last major holdout from streaming. Classical Candor has reviewed multiple Hyperion releases by artists such as pianists Sir Stephen Hough and Angela Hewitt, and the label has an excellent reputation among classical music listeners. The label also is known for a wide repertoire, and the range includes releases of music that are unique to Hyperion.

Fortunately, digital booklets for each release are being made available on streaming platforms that carry the option. (For example, I was able to verify that the booklets were there for a quick sample of releases on Qobuz.) Sung texts for choral and vocal music also will be available to streaming platforms with the functionality. The second phase of catalog releases, the one coming up in September, will encompass more than 70 albums, focused on several featured artist’s complete discography. Subsequent phases will focus on genres such as choral music, string quartets, Baroque, early music, and solo vocal.

We at Classical Candor think that this is a wonderful development for classical music listeners. In particular, those of us who listen mostly via streaming these days will have access to performances by some fine artists that have been otherwise difficult to hear. More generally, the streaming option will make it easier for listeners, such as those reading our reviews, to sample works that may be of interest. Speaking for myself, I can’t wait to dig into the Hyperion catalog.