Virgin Classics, the famous record label of hight fidelity sound

United Kingdom

Founded by Richard Branson (1988 - 2013)

Virgin Classics is the classics division of Virgin Records, founded by Richard Branson.

Virgin Classics is a British classical music record label, formerly based in Paris, France, active between 1988 and 2013, when it was transferred to Erato.

The label was founded in London in 1988 by Richard Branson, also the founder of Virgin Music, and quickly established a reputation for itself with artists such as Leif Ove Andsnes, Mikhail Pletnev, Steven Isserlis and Steven Hough.

In 1992, Virgin Classics joined EMI Classics as a subsidiary of the EMI Group and gradually welcomed new artists who would become emblematic of the label, such as Truls Mørk and Paavo Järvi.

Since its transfer from London to Paris in 1996, and under the presidency of Alain Lanceron, Virgin Classics has taken on increasing importance within EMI Music's classical division, to the point where it now carries the same weight as the famous label (more than a century old) EMI Classics. Virgin Classics has succeeded in creating a strong identity, recognised both in France and abroad, by focusing on three areas in particular: baroque, young artists and lyrical music. A true talent scout, Alain Lanceron has signed, accompanied and boosted the careers of Natalie Dessay, Philippe Jaroussky, Emmanuelle Haïm, Renaud Capuçon, Rolando Villazón, Gautier Capuçon, Vivica Genaux, Patricia Petibon, Joyce DiDonato, Piotr Anderszewski, the Artemis Quartet, the Ébène Quartet and David Fray. Virgin Classics also welcomes established artists such as Alexandre Tharaud and Christina Pluhar and her ensemble l'Arpeggiata. These artists are part of a real family, where artistic exchanges are numerous and joint recording and concert projects abound.

In 1997, it was a label under EMI Music France, and now ERATO has taken over all except for the brand called Virgin. Originally, Virgin Classics was a label specializing in early music, but after being acquired by EMI, the boundaries have blurred.

In 2012, when EMI was acquired by Universal Music Group, the catalogues of the group's classical labels were sold to Warner Music Group, which resurrected Erato to distribute the artists formerly on Virgin Classics.