Seraphim Records is the sister label of Angel Records.[1]
History
Seraphim Records was founded in 1966 as the sister label of Angel Records; re-releasing prior recordings by the Angel label at bargain prices.[2] It continued in this practice through the 1980s. The very first release was of stereophonic recordings by Sir Thomas Beecham and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, including several pieces previously unreleased.
The label has specialized in historic recordings, including some originally released on 78-rpm discs. In 1967, Seraphim issued some of the 1937–39 recordings by Arturo Toscanini and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Some opera recordings were released, including Pietro Mascagni's historic 1940 recording of his opera Cavalleria rusticana, complete with the original spoken introduction (in Italian) by the composer. In 1972 a complete recording of Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle was released on Seraphim with Wilhelm Furtwängler conducting the Rome Symphony Orchestra.[3]
EMI used the label for CDs consisting of re-released music recorded during the LP era, primarily in stereo. Some early digital recordings were also reissued on the label.
EMI's classical-music operations were sold to Warner Music Group in 2013 after its dismantling by Universal Music. The status of which company owns Seraphim is now unknown.
See also
- List of record labels
- Angel Records
References
- Bert Willard. Glittering Names Are On Seraphim Releases Santa Barbara News-Press, October 29, 1966^
- Florestan Croche. New Recording Venture The Baltimore Sun, September 7, 1966^
- Richard Wagner's Operatic Ring Is Released By Seraphim Records