Virgin Classics was a record label founded in 1988 as part of Richard Branson's Virgin Records.[1]
| Virgin Classics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company |
|
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Richard Branson |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Status | Defunct; absorbed into Erato Records |
| Genre | Classical music |
| Country of origin | France |
The unit, along with EMI Classics, was acquired by Universal Music Group in 2012 as part of the takeover of the EMI Music Group, however the terms of the European Commission's September 2012 approval of the takeover requires divestment of the classical labels[2] which were sold on 7 February 2013 to Warner Music Group.[3] The European Union approved the deal in May 2013.[4] Warner Music's Warner Classics unit absorbed the Virgin Classics artists roster and catalogue into Erato Records[5] but lost the rights to use either the EMI or Virgin names.
Principal artists
edit- Piotr Anderszewski
- Leif Ove Andsnes
- Nicholas Angelich
- Fabio Biondi
- Gautier Capuçon
- Renaud Capuçon
- Max Emanuel Cencic
- William Christie
- Hughes de Courson
- Alan Curtis (conductor)
- Diana Damrau
- David Daniels
- Natalie Dessay
- Joyce DiDonato
- David Fray
- Vivica Genaux
- Véronique Gens
- Emmanuelle Haïm
- Daniel Harding
- Philippe Jaroussky
- Paavo Järvi
- Truls Mørk
- Roger Norrington
- Artemis Quartet
- Quatuor Ebène
- Christina Pluhar
- Valeriy Sokolov
- Christian Tetzlaff
- Alexandre Tharaud
- Rolando Villazón (early recordings)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Virgin Classics - EMI Classics "Virgin Classics was launched in April 1988 by Richard Branson, the founder and director of Virgin Classics."
- ^ Buyers circle EMI Classics and Virgin Classics after EU judgment 28 September 2012, "French indie outfit Naïve and Richard Branson's Virgin group have refused to comment on reports they are in talks about bidding for parts of the recording empire – for the former it would be Virgin Classics and the huge expertise of its chief, Alain Lanceron."
- ^ Jolly, James (February 7, 2013). "Warner to buy the Parlophone Label Group". www.gramophone.co.uk.
- ^ "Updated: Warner Music Group's Acquisition of Parlophone Approved by European Commission". Billboard. May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-06-13. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "EMI Classics and Virgin Classics to join Warners". Classic FM.