Forgotten Records

Name

Forgotten Records

Legal name

Forgotten Records

Website

https://forgottenrecords.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Classical Music Label

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225)

SIC

Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Classical music recordings
• Historical reissue label
• Independent record label
• Classical music catalogue
• Contemporary artist releases

Headquarters

HQ city

Rennes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Music Recording Sales: The company generates revenue through the sale of classical music recordings, including historical recordings that have received too little attention and contemporary artists' first records. Sales appear to be through their e-commerce storefront.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Forgotten Records is a French independent classical music label that publishes and sells recordings of historical classical works that have received too little attention in recent history, as well as previously unpublished pieces and debut recordings by contemporary classical artists. The label's catalogue includes works performed by artists such as Jakob Gimpel, Monique de La Bruchollerie, Guillaume le Dreau, Olivier Lusinchi, Daniel Propper, and Alexis Galpérine. Products are sold directly to consumers through the company's e-commerce website.

Product overview

Forgotten Records is a French classical music label operating as a unified catalogue publishing platform. The company publishes three interconnected offerings: Historical Recordings (reviving overlooked classical pieces such as Brahms concertos, Beethoven trios, and Schumann quintets with artists like Jakob Gimpel and Monique de La Bruchollerie), Contemporary Artists Releases (producing unpublished works and music discontinued by other labels, featuring artists like Guillaume le Dreau and Alexis Galpérine), and Music Writings (written analyses exploring the emotional and semantic dimensions of musical pieces). The catalogue is accessible through the company's website, with releases available for purchase.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Historical Recordings Catalogue A curated catalogue of classical music recordings that have received too little attention in recent history, reviving great classical pieces and revealing their true essence. Releases include Brahms concertos performed by Jakob Gimpel and Monique de La Bruchollerie, Beethoven's Trio Archiduc, Schumann quintets with the Frankl/Groschel ensemble, Schubert's Trout Quintet, Dvorak's Dumky Trio, Handel and Vivaldi works with Louis de Froment, Borodine/Moussorgski/Rimski-Korsakov pieces led by Gerhard Pflüger and Leopold Ludwig, and Mozart piano sonatas played by Gabriel Tacchino. Targeted at classical music enthusiasts, collectors, and listeners seeking rare and overlooked historical performances.
• Contemporary Artists Releases A line of releases featuring previously unpublished classical pieces and music that most labels have discontinued, providing contemporary musicians with the opportunity to make their first record. Featured artists include composer and pianist Guillaume le Dreau, flautist Olivier Lusinchi, composer Daniel Propper (Fondation Napoléon Prize winner), and violinist Alexis Galpérine performing Viotti, Bach, Ysaÿe, Paganini and Mefano. Targeted at contemporary classical musicians seeking recording opportunities and at listeners interested in new and previously unreleased classical works.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Grammophon: Global leader in classical recordings with a deep historical catalog and major reissue programs. Comparable in catalog scope (classical historical recordings) but vastly larger scale and global streaming/retail distribution.
• Naxos Records: Large independent classical label with the world's largest active classical catalog, including reissues and budget classical lines. Comparable on independent-label status and catalog breadth, but at much greater scale and broader distribution.
• Warner Classics / Erato: Major-label classical division encompassing the historic Erato imprint (originally French). Comparable as a classical catalog owner with archival reissue programs, but operating at vastly greater scale and broader distribution.

Direct peers

• Harmonia Mundi: France-based independent classical and world music label with a similarly broad repertoire spanning early, baroque, and contemporary classical. Compares on home-market geography, niche catalog strategy, and distribution through own channels.
• Chandos Records: UK-based independent classical label with a strong catalog of historical and contemporary recordings, including reissues and new commissions. Comparable for catalog depth and reliance on niche classical enthusiast demand.
• Testament Records: Specialist UK label dedicated to reissuing historic classical recordings, making it one of the closest direct comparables to Forgotten Records' archival reissue focus. Both serve classical collectors seeking out-of-print historical performances.
• Alpha Classics: French independent classical label with a curatorial, artistic-identity-led catalog approach. Shares Forgotten Records' France-based roots, independent structure, and emphasis on lesser-known repertoire and contemporary artists.
• BIS Records: Swedish independent classical label known for high-quality recordings and a deep specialist catalog across historical and contemporary repertoire. Comparable as a niche-focused independent with strong artist-driven identity and direct distribution.
• Hyperion Records: Independent UK classical label with a similarly curated catalog approach, deep artist relationships, and a reputation for high-quality historical and contemporary classical recordings. Both labels rely on curatorial authority and a niche enthusiast audience rather than mass-market distribution.

Emerging players

• Appian Publications & Recordings: Specialist reissue label focused on historical classical recordings, very similar in niche focus to Forgotten Records but smaller in scale. Directly comparable on archival reissue model and target collector base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/forgottenrecords
• Instagraminstagram.com/forgottenrecords

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forgotten Records