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Former Telarc Staff Members Form Five/Four Productions

Michael Bishop, Robert Friedrich, Bill McKinney and Thomas Moore, all former key production members of Telarc Records based in Cleveland, have formed an independent audio production team under the name Five/Four Productions. The new company includes audio specialists with Grammy-winning experience across multiple music genres and known for using “cutting-edge” production techniques and audio technology that carried the famed “Telarc Sound” into the 21st century.

Telarc Records, a classical, jazz and blues label now owned by Concord Music Group, successfully branded an identity where consumers always know what they are buying: superior music releases with state-of-the-art sound and production. The Five/Four Productions team members were partly responsible for continuing the “Telarc Sound” over the past 20 years. Bringing unparalleled music industry experience, Five/Four Productions quality is now readily available to artists, labels and projects worldwide. Five/Four Productions will also continue many audio production duties for the Telarc/HeadsUp labels and various Concord Music Group projects on an independent basis.

When asked why anyone would start a production company in these difficult economic times, Five/Four’s Michael Bishop replied, “What better time to offer the services of the best audio production team in the business? The artists’ need to make recordings isn’t going away, but everyone is looking to work smarter with watching budgets more closely than ever. There’s little room for taking chances with a less-experienced recording crew. The Five/Four team has decades of experience working at the highest professional level on hundreds of costly and critical projects, all under the scrutiny of a worldwide audience. We’ve developed efficient production techniques that bring in the finished product on time every time and within budget. It just makes sense to employ our experience on any project where every moment and every dollar counts.”

Thom Moore adds, “Why make a good recording when you can make a great recording?”

As to the origin of the Five/Four name, Rob Friedrich says, “At first we had five partners working for production; circumstances reduced that number to four—hence 5/4. Also, the uncommon 5/4 time signature made famous by the Dave Brubeck Quartet in the 1959 jazz hit ‘Take Five’ seemed to fit us well especially with having worked with Dave Brubeck on so many projects.”

“5/4 is also 25 percent better than perfection,” Bill McKinney quips.

Five/Four Productions commenced operation January 2009, recording a project with Franz Welzer-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra for Deutsche Grammophon. Recent and upcoming recordings are scheduled with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Martin Perlman and the Boston Baroque Orchestra; Benjamin Zander and the Philharmonia Orchestra; Yolanda Kondonassis, Jahja Ling and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra; Paavo Järvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; and jazz artists Hiromi Uehara and John Pizzarelli.

Five/Four Productions is currently booking audio projects of any size or complexity on a worldwide basis. The Five/Four Productions team specializes in full-service audio production, recording and mastering for CD, SACD, DVD, Blu-ray, LP, film and game soundtracks, and all music download formats. Five/Four Productions is fully equipped to handle live and studio sessions, and simple to complex audio productions including basic project planning, final master production and manufactured or consumer product. High-resolution DSD, PCM and analog recording technologies are available for all recording projects. Five/Four Productions technical services include recording studio, analog and computer-based audio equipment maintenance, custom modifications and consultation services in addition to custom home theater and sound system services.

For more information, visit www.fivefourproductions.com.

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