I can understand the frustration at this apparent change of focus, probably, as suggested, due to the current mentality of "Money makes the world go round" (if it were only as fun as Joel Grey....). Sidebar: Having recently watched the purchase of our American government by the Koch brothers and their ilk, I am in despair of what this world has come to be about, but facts is facts, as they say. I must say, though, that if I had billions I would not only give most of it away, but also found a new generation classical music recording company that would never produce anything that had ever been done professionally before. Yes, I'm a fool--fantasies don't cost anything, though.
But, beginning with Marco Polo and all the rare repertoire introduced by them--I have some of their LPs--then the affordability of the early Naxos CD releases, I can't but admire and appreciate the groundbreaking and ear-opening things they contributed. Never minding those who will pick apart the conductors, soloists, orchestras, the 2nd violins, acoustics of this or that hall, does anyone know how most of us would ever have met Laszlo Lajtha, Alexander Moyzes, et al any other way? So, yes, sad that those productions that please our kind of music listener are fewer from Naxos, but a subscription to their online site allows access to hundreds of other labels that are still venturing into unknown territory. I am poor as a church mouse, but that is one monthly expenditure I allow myself, rarely to feel shortchanged, so maybe that site would interest you if you don't know it yet--I'm not their PR guy!! I do hope that Naxos itself can go back more to its roots, but fear the demand is isolated to a very small minority of music listeners. Or perhaps this old fart will just have to have a double ear transplant in order to be able to accommodate to the Justin Bieber world.
So we blame the Koch Bros??
Apparently Dr. Jonathan Gruber was right.