GRAHAM PARKER TO SQUEEZE OUT SPARKS FOR UMG CLASSICS

UMG has named Graham Parker, GM of celebrated classical-music station WQXR and a 2016 Peabody Award-winner for its Q2Music podcast, as President of its U.S. classical labels. Said labels were recently made part of the Verve Label Group under Danny Bennett.

In his new gig, Parker will oversee Deutsche Grammophon, Decca, Decca Classics, Mercury Classics and distributed label ECM. He’ll be based in New York and will report to Dickon Stainer, President and CEO of Global Classics for Universal Music Group, and Bennett. He’ll also work closely with UMG U.K. chief David Joseph, and Frank Briegmann, President/CEO Central Europe & Deutsche Grammophon

Said Bennett, “With Graham, we’re adding an executive who has a proven track record of having his finger on the pulse of classical music and opera, and who has made the genre accessible to a whole new audience through groundbreaking programming and digital innovation.”

According to Stainer, Parker’s arrival “marks a moment of excitement and opportunity for artists and music fans in America and across the world.”

“I’ve devoted my life to classical music and bringing this incredible genre to as wide an audience as possible,” Parker stated for the record. “The opportunity to not only join the legendary catalog of Deutsche Grammophon and Decca, but to also be on the forefront of identifying the classical superstars of tomorrow, was too incredible to pass up. I’m humbled by this opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with Danny, Dickon, Michele Anthony and the entire UMG team.”