10 years of Saving Music's Future

The mission of the United Music Foundation is to preserve, enhance, spotlight and pass on musical recording heritage, as well as its history.

Recording media degradation, obsolescence of playback equipment and loss of technical expertise are the main factors that compromise the lifespan of this heritage.

Comparatively to masterpieces of painting, sculpture, and architecture that have come down through centuries, musical recordings are therefore part of the most endangered heritage categories.

According to UNESCO, countless recordings of inestimable value have already disappeared, and we only have about 10 to 15 years left to transfer available audiovisual recordings to digital media to prevent their loss.

Since its creation in 2013, the United Music Foundation has aready preserved thousands of recordings, including many previously unreleased works by prestigious artists. To date, its work has been recognized by two national awards: The Best Reissue Award from the Académie du Jazz (Paris), and the Memoriav – Swiss Commission for UNESCO Award.

You can help us preserve this heritage:

• By entrusting us with the preservation and enhancement of recordings,
• By supporting our Foundation,
• By offering our Collector's Editions.

Rescue in extremis
Studio master tape (1963)