Thorens Has ‘Eco Record’ Produced By Sonopress

The German consumer electronics company Thorens is best known for its highly acclaimed record players. However, Thorens also releases records under its own label – and has now expanded this collection with a classical music production featuring works by Hamburg composer Goetz Oestlind. What makes it special from Bertelsmann’s perspective: the LP is an “Eco Record” produced by Bertelsmann Marketing Services’ storage media manufacturer Sonopress. Instead of the traditional vinyl, the “Eco Record” material is made from recycled plastic bottles (PET). The environmentally friendly production process ensures that plastic waste is recycled and CO2 emissions are significantly reduced compared to the classic process. The new Thorens record, which runs at 45 RPM, contains a previously unreleased version of “Fantasy for Piano & Orchestra in B flat minor op. 8” on the A-side, recorded by the Czech National Orchestra under Anthony Armore with Sergey Belyavsky on the piano and produced by the composer. The B-side features the “Piano Sonata No. 6 in B flat minor, op. 8”, played by the composer himself. The company announced: “We are not only happy about the music but also and especially about the fact that this LP is the first classical production we bring to market as an ‘Eco Record’. We are thrilled with the result!” It added that the album is “a win-win situation for music lovers and the environment.”