Lyrita Recorded Edition

British record label Lyrita was founded in 1959 by Richard Itter (1928-2014), during a period when Decca and HMV dominated the recording scene, to seek out and record the great unknowns in music, and in particular, that by obscure English classical composers. Initially these recordings were released on vinyl.

Richard Itter created the Lyrita Trust to continue his life's work and to create 'world premier recordings of British music written by composers born between 1860 to 1960'.

A deal in 2006 between the Wyastone Estate and Richard Itter has enabled Lyrita's fascinating recordings to be re-released on CD.

Richard Itter also made recordings of BBC broadcasts, and, from 2014, following an agreement with the BBC, this has begun to be made available as the Lyrita Itter Broadcast Collection.

Further information: lyrita.co.uk

 

A selection of articles about Lyrita Recorded Edition

Spotlight. An Impressive Achievement - Geoff Pearce enjoys piano music by Christopher Brown. 'The writing requires a great deal from the pianist, both in technique and musical understanding and in this, Nathan Williamson excels.'

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - A hundred not out

CD Spotlight. Enraptured Spirituality - Robert McCarney listens to music by William Baines. '... a very welcome CD ...'

CD Spotlight. A Strange Beauty - Symphonies by Daniel Jones, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra delivers fine performances, as does the direction of its conductor, Bryden Thomson.'

CD Spotlight. Youthful Influences - Early string quartets by William Alwyn, heard by Patrick Maxwell. '... carried off with impressive dexterity by the players ...'

CD Spotlight. Deeply Emotional - Alice McVeigh listens to music by the late John Joubert. 'William Boughton conducts with great sensitivity, and the orchestra excels.'

CD Spotlight. Fifty Years - Celebrating Lyrita's recordings of British music, by George Balcombe. '... a meticulous reproduction of orchestral sound ...'

Wales loses its patriarch - Roderic Dunnett pays tribute to the Welsh composer Alun Hoddinott, who died in March