GUETERSLOH, W. Germany—Ariola Eurodisc is posting peak sales this year, and the company's sizzling pace is attributed largely to the thrust provided by its acquisition of the Soviet Melodia repertoire.
Melodia, the Soviet state disk monopoly, provides Ariola with exclusive access to all of the top Soviet artists and musical organizations.
The prestige of such Soviet artists as the Oistrachs—David and Igor—Sviatoslav Richter, Leonid Kogan, and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra directed by Rudolf Barshai is tremendous in Western Europe.
This Melodia magic has rubbed off on the entire Ariola Eurodisc repertoire. Ariola is extracting the most possible sales mileage from the Melodia repertoire with wide and intensive sales promotion and the use of specially designed jackets which German critics rate as among the best produced by German record companies.
The Ariola experience is a principal factor in planning by Capitol for its promotion of Melodia product in the U. S. Capitol has acquired the Melodia repertoire for the U. S. under an agreement similar to that negotiated by Ariola.
Word has just been received here from the Soviet Union that Melodia has embarked on a large expansion program, both as to technical facilities and artists and repertory.
This program, which will greatly enhance the label's value to Ariola and Capitol, will boost its disk output in the Soviet Union to 300 million records by 1970. New pressing plants arc to be constructed and ultra-modern recording studios to be erected at a number of cities.
Melodia is placing more emphasis on jazz and text, including lectures by top Soviet scientists. It will continue to expand its classical and folk music product.
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