Musical Consultancy Services
"Thank you, James - that is just the type of information I wanted, especially the analysis of which conductors / labels would best fit the bill " (Classical music radio programmer, Canada).
Drawing upon years of experience, knowledge and expertise within the classical music field we offer musical consultancy services to major record labels, the film and advertising industries, and academia.
James Murray draws on over 40 years of experience in the classical music field:
James is always happy to assist others in their musical research. His extensive knowledge is well-documented and areas of particular expertise include:
James has participated as an expert panellist at the Leicester International Music Festival. He assisted ballet historians Millicent Hodson and Kenneth Archer with their research for the reconstruction of Cotillon (Chabrier) and has been instrumental in various works obtaining their British premieres (eg that for Chabrier's Gwendoline)
James attended RMA Conference (Birmingham University 2014); Staging Operatic Anniversaries (OBERTO, Oxford Brookes University 2013); Classical:NEXT (Vienna & Munich 2012 & 2013)
To discuss your requirements with James, please email enquiries@kernowclassics.co.uk or phone +44 (0)7989 398782, or use our enquiry form.
James Murray draws on over 40 years of experience in the classical music field:
- founder and label manager of the archive CD labels Magdalen and Amare Classics
- consultant to major record labels on repertoire and back catalogue
- advising advertising agencies, film and theatre companies
- consultant to opera companies about repertoire
James is always happy to assist others in their musical research. His extensive knowledge is well-documented and areas of particular expertise include:
- the performance history of opera and opera on record
- music in Germany and France during the 19th and 20th centuries in particular Emmanuel Chabrier, Eduard Künneke, Werner Egk and Albert Lortzing
- British and American musical theatre and film musicals
- early jazz and dance bands
- 19th century Italian opera
James has participated as an expert panellist at the Leicester International Music Festival. He assisted ballet historians Millicent Hodson and Kenneth Archer with their research for the reconstruction of Cotillon (Chabrier) and has been instrumental in various works obtaining their British premieres (eg that for Chabrier's Gwendoline)
James attended RMA Conference (Birmingham University 2014); Staging Operatic Anniversaries (OBERTO, Oxford Brookes University 2013); Classical:NEXT (Vienna & Munich 2012 & 2013)
To discuss your requirements with James, please email enquiries@kernowclassics.co.uk or phone +44 (0)7989 398782, or use our enquiry form.
Magdalen - an acclaimed archive label
"Launched in 2011, Magdalen is already establishing itself as one of the most interesting and enterprising of its kind. (It) is the brainchild of a passionate individual… James Murray has his finger on the pulse of collectors' forums around the world, and is tailoring his growing catalogue to fulfil their curiosity and appetite for historic performances. Magdalen's CDs all come with well-produced booklets, containing succinct but intelligently written and informative notes." (Opera Now July/August 2013)
"I look forward to each of Magdalen's new releases with some eagerness. They have a knack of finding interesting recordings deserving reissue which have otherwise been ignored" John Sheppard MusicWeb
Reviews of Magdalen releases include:
- 'METCD 8001 4CD Wagner Meistersinger complete & highlights: Kempe / Leitner 'A truly great experience' 'This magnificent set...is not to be missed' (Amazon*****)
- METCD 8002 2CD G&S Mikado, Pineapple Poll, Overtures: Godfrey, Hollingsworth, Fiedler 'generously-timed, well-produced issue in every respect' (Robert Farnon Society Journal)
- METCD 8003 2CD Hänsel und Gretel, Overtures, Arias & Songs: Fritz Lehmann etc 'One of the real attractions of this issue is the fascinating quantity and quality of extras' (MusicWeb)
- METCD 8004 Mahler Symphony No. 4 & Des Knaben Wunderhorn exc Van Beinum, Prohaska 'Good transfers, intelligent annotation' (Gramophone)
- METCD 8005 Eduard and Evelyn Künneke Tänzerische-Suite, Schlager & Glückliche Reise 'More please!... liner notes by James Murray are a mine of information' (Robert Farnon Society)
- METCD 8009 2CD Don Pasquale complete & highlights: Sabajno, Fr. Lehmann, Streich, Schöne 'I don't think anyone will be disappointed with the technical quality of this reissue of a gramophone classic...substantial fill-ups’ (Classical Recordings Quarterly)
- METCD 8010 Dvorák Slavonic Dances / Smetana Bartered Bride Dances: Malko, Kubelik 'The Philharmonia play with plenty of zip in this reissued recording and give a lively account of the two Smetana pieces' (Sunday Times)
- METCD 8011 2CD Mozart String Quartets dedicated to Haydn: Budapest String Quartet 'Lumineux, tenders mais surtout virtuosos … le Quatuor Budapest ont éte reports avec art par les ingénieurs de Metronome. Un classique' (Diapason d'or)
- METCD 8012 Grieg Favourites: Weldon, Barbirolli, Gieseking, Bettendorf, Malko, Münchinger 'The programme as a whole works remarkably well’ (Classical Recordings Quarterly)
- METCD 8014 2CD Gounod Faust complete / Roméo et Juliette & Mireille scenes: Steber, Siepi, Micheau etc (Diapason *****)
- METCD 8015 Chabrier Favourites: Irving, Barbirolli, Revoil, Desormière, Meyer, Bernac, Micheau, Lindenberg ‘A joy to listen to from start to finish' (Gramophone); 'An admirably varied collection of gems. As a Chabrier fan I would not be without this disc...truly excellent notes and biographies by James Murray' (Music Web)
- METCD 8016 2CD Rachmaninov Piano Concertos Nos. 1 - 3, 18 Preludes: Lympany, Malko, Collins 'A reissue to cherish' (Robert Farnon Society Journal)
- METCD 8017 Halvorsen, Svendsen, Kuhlau, Lumbye, Grieg, Nielsen, Alfven, Bull: Fjeldstad, Friisholm, Frandsen, Barbirolli 'Crystal clear and enjoyable... a confident romp through innocent Scandinavian fare' (MusicWeb)
- METCD 8018 Egk Zaubergeige highlights & Tentation de Saint Antoine: Cordes etc, Lefort, De Froment (Diapason ****) 'Presentation excellent with a detailed commentary’ (Classical Recordings Quarterly); 'varied, entertaining, not a moment too long. Well worth the exploration. This well filled disc merits a very strong welcome' (MusicWeb)
- METCD 8019 Verdi Otello 1914 - 1961: singers include Del Monaco, Vickers, Caruso, Vinay, Tibbett, Gobbi, Zenatello, Ruffo, Ponselle, Rethberg, Tebaldi, Martinelli 'This fascinating collection takes us through the work in mostly quite sizeable chunks' (Sunday Times).