Sony Pictures Entertainment Dedicates Historic State-of-the-Art Scoring Stage to Barbra Streisand

Streisand poses near recording console

Culver City, CA
February 9, 2004

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) today unveiled a newly renovated, state-of-the art scoring stage named in honor of entertainer Barbra Streisand. Howard Stringer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sony Corporation of America and Vice Chairman, Sony Corporation said that the historic stage would now be called the "Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage" in recognition of Streisand's unique contributions to both music and film. Streisand has recorded some of her most celebrated music on the scoring stage that will now bear her name, including her most recent album, "The Movie Album" from Columbia Records.

Also on hand for the dedication were Michael Lynton, Chairman & CEO of SPE, Amy Pascal, Chairman, Motion Picture Group at SPE, Andrew Lack, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman, David Foster and Marvin Hamlisch, as well as Ms. Streisand's husband, James Brolin, and career-long manager, Martin Erlichman.

"Through her artistry, passion and incomparable talent, Barbra Streisand has redefined the very nature of both music and motion picture entertainment in our time," said Mr. Stringer. Her contributions to both Columbia Records and Columbia Pictures is without equal, and we are proud to honor her work with the dedication of the Sony Pictures Entertainment 'Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage' in her name."

"It really is a great honor to have this legendary scoring stage named after me, especially when you consider all of the amazing artists who have recorded their music here," said Streisand. "I'm grateful to Sony for making me feel very proud."

In addition to her illustrious music career with Columbia Records, Streisand has made 16 films, including seven for Columbia Pictures. She won her first two Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year, in 1963 for her very first recorded album, "The Barbra Streisand Album." She received her first Academy Award® in 1968 for her debut performance in FUNNY GIRL. Over her 41-year career as an entertainer she has recorded 60 albums and won a total of 10 Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards®, six Emmy Awards, one Tony Award and 11 Golden Globes. Forty-nine of her albums have been certified Gold and 30 Platinum by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). Her 49 Gold Albums are a number exceeded only by Elvis Presley.

The historic scoring stage is one of the most sought-after scoring venues in the world. Built in 1929, the recording studio has been the site of hundreds of legendary film scores including: THE WIZARD OF OZ, composed by Herbert Stothart, GONE WITH THE WIND by Max Steiner, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA by Maurice Jarre and Lennie Hayton's score to SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, as well as many of MGM's musicals starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Well-known contemporary composers such as John Williams (Universal Studios' E.T. and DreamWorks' CATCH ME IF YOU CAN), Danny Elfman (SPIDER-MAN) and Hans Zimmer (BLACK HAWK DOWN) now seek out SPE's scoring stage to capitalize on the revered acoustics and unique ambience.

Ms. Streisand recorded songs for ten of her Gold and Platinum albums and the scores for three of her films, NUTS, PRINCE OF TIDES and THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES (the last two of which she directed) on the scoring stage that will now bear her name.

The Scoring Stage is equipped with the 88R, a new state-of-the-art Scoring Panel, designed in conjunction with SPE. The groundbreaking design of the new Scoring Panel and new Stem Matrix option offer a major advancement in analogue recording technology. Other improvements include rewiring of the stage and control room to accommodate six Protool digital recording systems.

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