Universal: Decca to re-align but not to close

11:10 | Thursday February 5, 2009

Universal released the news in a statement today, following speculation that the label was to be closed. However, it did not give names of which artists would be affected – Decca’s UK roster includes everyone from Morrissey to John Barry.

The statement reads, “Decca remains active as a label in the UK, signing and recording artists, with its London office continuing as a creative centre. Decca’s classical crossover and other signings will be assigned to UCJ, the UK’s longstanding No. 1 classical label.

“UCJ took 55% of the UK classical market in 2008, with seven of the top 10 classical albums. Decca Label Group in the US is unaffected by this realignment.”

Former Decca managing director Bogdan Roscic was last week appointed president of Sony Music’s classical wing.