Sony Music Masterworks (also known simply as Sony Masterworks) is a record label, the result of a restructuring of Sony Music's classical music division. Before the acquisition of Bertelsmann's shares in the former Sony BMG, the label was known as Sony BMG Masterworks.
Its formation marked the merger of the Sony Classical and BMG Classics (including RCA Red Seal) product lines. Gilbert Hetherwick was the president of the label from January 2005 through November 2006, displacing Peter Gelb who was the head of Sony Classical before the merger. Hetherwick claimed (as of 2005) the label may reissue between one hundred and two hundred historical recordings per year. Hetherwick left in November 2006, to be replaced by Alex Miller, a former BMG Employee.
The merged label's name echoes the moniker used by Sony Classical's predecessor, Columbia Masterworks (later CBS Masterworks). The name was changed when CBS sold its records division to Sony in 1988. Sony Masterworks has several imprints, used for newer recordings on its own imprints, and compilations and reissues for releases in conjunction with Legacy Recordings.
In November 2022, it was announced Sony Music Masterworks had acquired a majority stake in the Dubai-based concert promotion, talent management, events and production company MAC Global.[2]
