Testament

[mathias broucek]

Norman Lebrecht is reporting that the label founder, Stewart Borwn, has died. RIP

https://slippedisc.com/2022/04/valued-label-founder-dies-69/

Perhaps it's too soon to discuss this but the death of a small record company founder can lead to decline and closure - let's hope that Stewart's legacy is preserved. More optimistically, perhaps new management will bring in new thinking and ideas - for example Testament releases seem not to be available to download or stream

[cloughie]

Norman Lebrecht is reporting that the label founder, Stewart Borwn, has died. RIP

https://slippedisc.com/2022/04/valued-label-founder-dies-69/

Perhaps it's too soon to discuss this but the death of a small record company founder can lead to decline and closure - let's hope that Stewart's legacy is preserved. More optimistically, perhaps new management will bring in new thinking and ideas - for example Testament releases seem not to be available to download or stream

Yes, I have many Testament CDs on my shelves - so let”s hope the company survives - early on there were many excellent issues from the EMI catalogue and more recently some very good live performances preserved. In the absence of an EMI reissue label from Warner cf Decca/Eloquence a few more EMI reissues would be welcome!

[Petrushka]

There haven't, as far as I know, been any new Testament releases for quite some time, though the catalogue does still seem to be available. There were some wonderful issues on the label including the BPO/Karajan London concerts, a live Klemperer Beethoven 'Choral' and, above all perhaps, the first issue of the stereo 1955 Bayreuth Ring.

I used to eagerly await new Testament releases and am very sorry to hear of the death of Stuart Brown.

[gurnemanz]

There haven't, as far as I know, been any new Testament releases for quite some time, though the catalogue does still seem to be available. There were some wonderful issues on the label including the BPO/Karajan London concerts, a live Klemperer Beethoven 'Choral' and, above all perhaps, the first issue of the stereo 1955 Bayreuth Ring.

I used to eagerly await new Testament releases and am very sorry to hear of the death of Stuart Brown.

Out of curiosity I did a quick search at Presto. It would seem the last (latest?) Testament CD was in 2019, a BBC recording of a Schumann and Wolf recital with Pears and Britten - cat. no. SBT 1520. The first one was I assume SBT 1001 in 1990 - Brahms with Aubrey Brain, Reginald Kell and Busch Quartet. Seems to be nla. I have the same recording from another source.

I can locate three Testament CDs in my collection - all classics:

SBT 1197 Wolf songs with Hans Hotter and Gerald Moore

and two from from the Hollywood Quartet:
SBT 1077 Franck and Shostakovich Piano Quintets
SBT 1031 Schoenberg Verklärte Nacht, Schubert String Quintet

[pastoralguy]

Very sad news indeed. Testament was always a sure sign of great quality and seeing these discs always made my pulse quicken a little. I’ve amassed a fair few over the years and in fact I’ve just received SBT 1042 - Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 played by Solomon with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Issy Dobrowen.

One of my all time favourite cds is the Testament recording of Nathan Milstein playing the Goldmark. The disc also contains outtakes from the sessions.

[Bella Kemp]

I was much moved by the words of Rob Cowan on the link you provided Mathias: a reminder that we must do all we can to support the small label companies who keep the remoter treasured threads of music alive.

[gurnemanz]

PS to above: SBT 1001 is not nla https://testament.co.uk/product/regi...-aubrey-brain/

[mathias broucek]

Was inspired by this to listen to the Karajan Heldenleben from London in 1985. Just stunning. Better than either of his (terrific) DG recordings. (I don't have the "leather jacket" EMI version

[richardfinegold]

There haven't, as far as I know, been any new Testament releases for quite some time, though the catalogue does still seem to be available. There were some wonderful issues on the label including the BPO/Karajan London concerts, a live Klemperer Beethoven 'Choral' and, above all perhaps, the first issue of the stereo 1955 Bayreuth Ring.

I used to eagerly await new Testament releases and am very sorry to hear of the death of Stuart Brown.

I thought judging by the lack of activity that like many small labels they had shut up shop

[cloughie]

I thought judging by the lack of activity that like many small labels they had shut up shop

I ordered the RPO Kempe Alpine Sym yesterday direct from the company - it arrived this morniing! Great recording, great service!

[Barbirollians]

I think some recordings are now out of stock and are not being re pressed e.g the pioneering and terrific 3CD Mahler 10 set

[mathias broucek]

I think some recordings are now out of stock and are not being re pressed e.g the pioneering and terrific 3CD Mahler 10 set

It’d be nice if they could do a deal with (say) Presto to offer these recordings at least as downloads

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I ordered the RPO Kempe Alpine Sym yesterday direct from the company - it arrived this morniing! Great recording, great service!

Top version in my opinion.

[HighlandDougie]

Top version in my opinion.

This has spurred me into ordering it, too.