In a surprising move announced today, Chandos Records and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra have signed a new recording agreement, which includes three new CDs starting this summer, with a live recording of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade. The upcoming live CD was recorded at Roy Thomson Hall in June of last year.

After eight releases on the TSO’s own in-house label (TSO Live), one wonders if this news means a shift away from producing their own CDs? Have the sales been too low to substantiate the investment in their own label? We can only speculate. At any rate, Chandos certainly know what they are doing, and this looks like a good move.

The CD is scheduled to coincide with the TSO’s summer European tour and will be released digitally on August 5, with physical copies available in the US on August 26, and later in Canada on August 29.

Details on the next two CD have yet to be released.

“Chandos Records is delighted with this new collaboration with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra,” stated Ralph Couzens, Managing Director of Chandos Records, in the press release.  “TSO Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis, and, more recently, TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian, have a distinguished history with both the orchestra and with Chandos Records. Chandos has produced many acclaimed recordings with both artists and looks forward to future projects with the superb Toronto Symphony Orchestra.”

Chandos Records is an independent classical music recording company based in Colchester, UK. The company is a one of the most renowned classical music labels in the business, and have exclusive recording partnership with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Richard Hickox (multiple Gramophone winner with Chandos recordings) and pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet – to name a few.

At last count, the TSO recording catalogue consists of over 145 releases with such labels as CBC Records, RCA Victor, EMI, Analekta and others. You can see many of them listed here.

Michael Vincent

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow me

Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent is the Editor-in-chief Ludwig Van and CEO of Museland Media. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. A specialist in digital media for over 15 years, he has worked as a senior editor and is a former freelance classical music critic for the Toronto Star. Michael holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Toronto.

Follow me

Latest posts by Michael Vincent (see all)

• THE SCOOP | Royal Conservatory’s Dr. Peter Simon Awarded The Order Of Ontario - January 2, 2024
• THE SCOOP | Order of Canada Appointees Announced, Including Big Names From The Arts - December 29, 2023
• Ludwig Van Is Being Acquired By ZoomerMedia - June 12, 2023