Business of Classical Music

León Dreher im Gespräch mit Marcus Heinicke Marcus Heinicke ist Director Classics bei der Edel Music & Entertainment GmbH und verantwortet mit Berlin Classics und Neue Meister zwei Labels mit unterschiedlichen Positionierungen im Klassikmarkt. Im Gespräch gibt Marcus einen Einblick in die wirtschaftliche Seite des Labelgeschäfts: Wie entsteht ein Deal zwischen Künstler und Label? Wer investiert, wer trägt welches Risiko – und wie werden die Einnahmen am Ende verteilt? Wir sprechen über Streaming-Erlöse und prozentuale Beteiligungen, aber auch über einen der größten Umbrüche der Musikindustrie: den Wandel vom physischen Tonträger hin zu einem Markt, in dem Streaming zunehmend das Geschäft bestimmt. 🗣️ Themen der Folge: - Wie Labeldeals in der Klassik wirklich funktionieren - Streaming-Einnahmen & Beteiligungen von Künstlern und Labels - Vom physischen Produkt zum Streaming - Die heutige Labellandschaft im Klassikmarkt - Marketing und die Rolle eines Labels im Jahr 2026

León Dreher in conversation with Olga Scheps Olga Scheps is an internationally acclaimed pianist and ECHO Klassik award winner who has performed on some of the world’s leading stages. Over the course of her career, she has released numerous recordings with Sony Classical, beginning with her award-winning debut album “Chopin.” In this conversation, Olga speaks openly about the realities of building and sustaining a career as a concert pianist — from fees, financial uncertainty, and the development of her market value to the moments of pure energy on stage that make the profession worthwhile. The episode also explores the business behind a career in classical music: working with agencies and record labels, negotiating deals, and understanding how fees and opportunities evolve over time. An episode about the economics of being a pianist, the structures behind an international career, and what ultimately makes it worth pursuing. 🗣️ Topics discussed: - The financial realities of being a concert pianist - Fees, pricing, and developing your market value - Working with agencies and record labels - Existential uncertainty and career sustainability - The energy and emotion of performing on stage

León Dreher in conversation with Opera Bert Opera Bert is a classical music content creator focused on audience development and bringing new audiences into the world of opera and classical music. Through short-form content, he creates accessible entry points for people who may have little or no previous connection to the art form. In a short period of time, Opera Bert has built credibility within the classical music industry and collaborated with leading institutions, festivals, and artists, including the Salzburg Festival, Lucerne Festival, Bayerische Staatsoper, Bregenzer Festspiele, Jonathan Tetelman, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Rolando Villazón, and many more. The episode explores the role social media can play in audience development — not necessarily as a place for an intellectual deep dive into classical music, but as a door opener: creating curiosity, lowering barriers, and giving new audiences a reason to take their first step into the classical music world. An episode about audience development, credibility, and what it means to communicate classical music to a new generation. 🗣️ Topics discussed: - Building credibility as a young content creator in the classical music industry - Working with leading artists, opera houses, and festivals - Social media as an entry point into classical music - Audience development and reaching a new generation - Why short-form content does not need to replace depth — but can lead audiences towards it Follow us on Instagram ⬇️ Podcast – https://www.instagram.com/business_of_classical_music/ Opera Bert – https://www.instagram.com/opera.bert/?hl=de León Dreher – https://www.instagram.com/leon_dreher/?hl=de