Download Service to Close
Chandos Records sincerely thanks our loyal digital download customers for their support over the last 20 years. Due to the continuous decline in the popularity of digital downloads, ‘The Classical Shop’ will be closed for all digital download services on 29th November, with October 25th as the final day for new download purchases. From then on, our website will be dedicated to exclusive news, special offers and information about Chandos label and artists: CD and SACD sales will continue as usual. We are excited for the next chapter!
RIP Benjamin Luxon
One of Britain’s finest international singers, Benjamin Luxon, died on the 25th July aged 87. Born in Redruth, Cornwall, Luxon began his career as a member of the English Opera Group, the company formed by Benjamin Britten for the performance of his own and other contemporary operas. Luxon became one of Britten’s key singers and the composer wrote the role of “Owen Wingrave” specifically for Luxon’s voice. Luxon became an important singer internationally, performing at the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, Tanglewood, the Teatro alla Scala, Paris Opera, Oper Frankfurt, Wiener Staatsoper, and the Metropolitan Opera. He went on to work with some of the most important conductors and orchestras and made over 100 recordings, including many for Chandos. Luxon was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1986 for his service to music.
RIP Sir Andrew Davis
We are saddened by the news that Sir Andrew Davis, the renowned British conductor, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024, surrounded by family after a battle with leukaemia. Sir Andrew recorded exclusively for Chandos Records from his first album Elgar’s Crown of India in 2009, making almost 50 recordings and gathering countless accolades and awards in the process. We will miss a wonderful musician who imparted so much to all who worked with him in such a generous, self-deprecating and humble way. RIP Andrew.
Sir Andrew Davis's obituary
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Sinfonia of London win big at BBC Music Magazine Awards 2024
John Wilson and Sinfonia of London’s première recording of the complete original score of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! took home the Opera Award, while the same forces also scooped their fourth Orchestral Award with their album of works for strings by Vaughan Williams, Howells, Delius and Elgar. Described by the magazine’s reviewer as ‘a stunning benchmark for the digital generation’, this recording also went on to win the coveted Recording of the Year.
To say thank for all the BBCMM24 at checkout!
Pictured above from left, Francis Williams, Jonathan Allen, Rosenna East and Ralph Couzens.
This Thursday!
Good luck to Sinfonia of London and John Wilson ahead of this week's award ceremony! 'Music for Strings' and 'Oklahoma!' have been nominated in the Orchestral and Opera categories respectively.
Margaret Fingerhut appointed MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours
To celebrate pianist Margaret Fingerhut being recognised for services to music and charitable fundraising why not explore her brilliant back-catalogue.
Brian Pidgeon GRAMMY nominated for Producer of the Year!
Sinfonia of London's latest album 'Record of the Week' on Record Review!
The new release from Sinfonia of London and John Wilson, Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé, was featured on BBC Radio 3's much-loved Saturday morning Record Review show (4/11). We're delighted to report that the new recording was picked as RECORD OF THE WEEK. The show remains available all month on-demand so don't worry if you missed it live, listen here!
This week we will be celebrating the upcoming launch of Oklahoma! from John Wilson and Sinfonia of London at The Savile Cub in Mayfair. This landmark album will be the first full recording of the original Rodgers & Hammerstein score, to commemorate this very special release we have produced a series of limited edition numbered vinlys available to pre-order now! Don't miss this historic album, out on Friday 15th September!
Gramophone Awards Shortlist 2023
We are delighted to have FOUR albums shortlisted for the Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2023! See the shortlist here, including albums from Kaleidscope Chamber Collective, Arcadia Quartet, and Sinfonia of London.
Gramophone Editor's Choice: October
'Parry's compelling response to Shelley's lyrical drama is given a superb performance of real conviction, conduction by William Vann and with a line-up of starry soloists'
'Orchestra of the Year' nomination!
Our friends and collaborators BBC Philharmonic have been nominated for Orchestra of the Year at the Gramophone Awards 2023!
Richard Hickox
At the time of his untimely death at the age of sixty in November 2008, Richard Hickox CBE, one of the most gifted and versatile British conductors of his generation, was Music Director of Opera Australia, having served as Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales from 2000 until 2006 when he became Conductor Emeritus. He founded the City of London Sinfonia, of which he was Music Director, in 1971. He was also Associate Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Emeritus of the Northern Sinfonia, and co-founder of Collegium Musicum 90.
His phenomenal success in the recording studio resulted in more than 280 recordings, including most recently cycles of orchestral works by Sir Lennox and Michael Berkeley and Frank Bridge with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the symphonies by Vaughan Williams with the London Symphony Orchestra, and a series of operas by Britten with the City of London Sinfonia. He received a Grammy (for Peter Grimes) and five Gramophone Awards. Richard Hickox was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours List in 2002, and was the recipient of many other awards, including two Music Awards of the Royal Philharmonic Society, the first ever Sir Charles Groves Award, the Evening Standard Opera Award, and the Award of the Association of British Orchestras.
25% discount on selected titles!
“…players, singers and conductor do this favourite score proud.”
“…players, singers and conductor do this favourite score proud.”
“… Under John Wilson's deft eye, the band plays brilliantly, and the thing about the programme is that it makes a highly satisfying recital, showcasing Bliss' undoubted talent …”
“… Under John Wilson's deft eye, the band plays brilliantly, and the thing about the programme is that it makes a highly satisfying recital, showcasing Bliss' undoubted talent …”
“… entertaining stuff, light and breezy, and expertly played. A delight.” ****
“… entertaining stuff, light and breezy, and expertly played. A delight.” ****
Performance ***** Recording *****
“… Recommended.”
Performance ***** Recording *****
“… Recommended.”
“… the new recording’s local beauties make it worth the attention of anyone who loves this music.”
“… the new recording’s local beauties make it worth the attention of anyone who loves this music.”
“It is hard to imagine Carousel will get a more inspired rendering than this one anytime soon. Fans of the great American musical should not hesitate to add it to their collections.”
“It is hard to imagine Carousel will get a more inspired rendering than this one anytime soon. Fans of the great American musical should not hesitate to add it to their collections.”
“… she [Staneva] makes a fine impression here. There is nothing to find fault with in her playing, which is engaging and has been recorded very well …”
“… she [Staneva] makes a fine impression here. There is nothing to find fault with in her playing, which is engaging and has been recorded very well …”
“… This is easily one of my favorite releases I have had the pleasure of reviewing. These symphonies deepen and enrich the mid-century symphonic canon and cannot be better presented than this – this is absolutely necessary listening for anyone with even a passing interest in 20th Century music.”
“… This is easily one of my favorite releases I have had the pleasure of reviewing. These symphonies deepen and enrich the mid-century symphonic canon and cannot be better presented than this – this is absolutely necessary listening for anyone with even a passing interest in 20th Century music.”