Virgin Classics
Virgin Classics was a record label founded in 1988 as part of Richard Branson's Virgin Records. 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 which were sold on 7 February 2013 to Warner Music Group. The European Union approved the deal in May 2013.
Also recorded as Virgin Classics Records
Virgin Classics
- Name
- Virgin Classics
- Founded
- 1988.
- Founder
- Richard Branson.
- Headquarters
- Paris.
- Dissolved
- 2013.
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Documentary summary
Virgin Classics was a record label founded in 1988 as part of Richard Branson's Virgin Records. 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 which were sold on 7 February 2013 to Warner Music Group. The European Union approved the deal in May 2013.
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wikidata · Q3560636 · wikipedia · Virgin Classics
In this article
Overview
Overview
Warner Music's Warner Classics unit absorbed the Virgin Classics artists roster and catalogue into Erato Records but lost the rights to use either the EMI or Virgin names.
It is associated with France. The record gives 1988 as its date of establishment or first appearance. Activity is recorded as ending in 2013. Recorded genres are classical music. Its recorded founders are Richard Branson. Its recorded seat is Paris.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Virgin Classics • Parent — * Thorn EMI (1992–1996) • EMI (1996–2012) • Parlophone Label Group (independent operation; 2012–2013) • Warner Music Group (back catalogue; 2013–present) • Founder — Richard Branson • Status — Defunct; absorbed into Erato Records • Genre — Classical music • Country — France
Principal artists
Principal artists
• 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)
Institutional history
Dated record
Institutional history
Explore 1988–2013
The full dated record · 5 entries
1988
Virgin Classics established.
1988
Virgin Classics is recorded from 1988.
1988
Virgin Classics was established or created in 1988.
2013
Virgin Classics ceased.
2013
Virgin Classics was dissolved or ceased in 2013.
Context
Primary material
Context
The circumstances in which Virgin Classics stands. Established or created in 1988. Dissolved or ceased in 2013. Founded by Richard Branson. Classics has its headquarters at Paris. Recorded as record label. Situated in France.
Documents and archives
Primary material
Documents and archives
scholarly publication
- Comparison of subsequent recordings by same violinist in J. S. Bach, A minor Sonata BWV 1003, Andante, extract: bars 15-19. Two versions: Christian Tetzlaff 1994 © Virgin Veritas, 2005 © Virgin Classics. Duration: 0.43, 2015
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 2015
- Comparison of subsequent recordings by same violinist in J. S. Bach, A minor Sonata BWV 1003, Fuga, extract: bars 240-289. Two versions: Christian Tetzlaff 1994 © Virgin Veritas, 2005 © Virgin Classics. Duration: 2.46, 2015
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 2015
- Comparison of subsequent recordings by same violinist in J. S. Bach, B minor Partita BWV 1002, Allemanda, extract: bars 15-19. Two versions: Christian Tetzlaff 1994 © Virgin Veritas, 2005 © Virgin Classics. Duration: 0.51, 2015
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 2015
- Comparison of subsequent recordings by same violinist in J. S. Bach, D minor Partita BWV 1004, Giga, extract: bars 1-12. Two versions: Christian Tetzlaff 1994 © Virgin Veritas, 2005 © Virgin Classics. Duration: 1.05, 2015
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 2015
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q3560636: Virgin Classics
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Virgin Classics”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Citations
References
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scholarly publication
Institutional witnessscholarly publication
Institutional witnessscholarly publication
Institutional witnessscholarly publication
Institutional witnessauthority record
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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