classical music has been hit hard on a worldwide scale. in europe and the u.k. many orchestras have found themselves without recording contracts and forced to market their own recordings. some have even disbanded completely. many of the retailers who once supported the classical catagory have cut back inventory in an effort to survive shrinking music sales (classical music historically turns slower than pop music anyway). the orchestras have also been hurt by pirated cd's and lp's which they receive no royalties from as well as smaller audiences at live performances where tickets are sold.
