Unfortunately from what I can see it is not a matter of whether these composers deserve better but is it worth it to make a CD at all.
When I hear Fitz say he will consult his lawyers to find out how he can lose the least amount on his next re-recording, I know why everyone else has abandoned that end of it. Talk about a guy who is in it for the love of film music. Every other rerecording has been scaled down down dramatically (The Intrada Rozsa and the Morricone DIABOLIK are examples). Forever in your debt Fitz.
But straight soundtrack releases haven't been healthy for awhile. Sales are going down across the board, not because of what they sell but because the form is not what it used to be and never will be again. That is why there are more straight rereleases, higher prices, lower number of pressings and less adventurous titles from everybody. No one rents a top notch facility for remastering like they used to. They find out how they can get it done the cheapest. Europe only seems to be doing better because they have less stringent requirements than the US. They are doing 400 and 300 pressings! These guys don't make mistakes on purpose, their first aim is see if they can get the thing out at all.
As you say there is only one Daniel Winkler and he is doing it for the love of film music. Frankly anyone doing it is in it for the love of film music. The only one I can think of that has made tons of money was Varese when they had all the newest hits, but that is a long time ago in a galaxy far away. The newest model of survival is almost Ma and Pa without any high overhead. Kritzerland 1000 release with no frills (and yet taking advantage of today's technology) is the way to go to survive.
I always noticed all these wonderful guys have either had a day job or deep pockets. I thank them all because (despite many "fans" snide remarks) the truth has always been they are there for the LOVE OF THE MUSIC. I have found THIS across the board.
But unfortunately, when Lukas walked away from CD production because he saw the Slver age sales plummet and Golden Age dry up, he wasn't talking through his hat.
And heck, film music always needs folks willing to preach. For us Morricone fans, your multiple postings on Morricone music on this board was like a Sermon on the Mount.
