BRENDEL'S BIRTHDAY PROMPTS REISSUES.

Philips Classics is marking Alfred Brendel's 70th birthday this month with the January 15 release of a double-disc set of Schubert Sonatas -- one of a series of three new recordings and related concert performances backed by television programmes and the re-publication of two of the Austrian-born pianist's acclaimed books on music. Man And Mask, a documentary exploring Brendel's blend of musicianship, intellectual discourse and quirky humour was aired on BBC2 on Christmas Day, preparing the ground for a Philips marketing campaign that will focus on connoisseurs of fine pianism and core classical consumers.

"It's about a gradual build across the Three releases," says Mark Wilkinson, head of Philips Classics UK. "I believe we will see benefits from the Man And Mask profile, which is far from your run-of-the-mill arts programme. We have placed ads in Gramophone and International Record Review, and also booked an insert campaign with high-profile music mail order companies."

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