Historic Reissue Award

‘Composers in Person’
Various artists
EMI (22 discs) 217575-2

The best archive projects are guided by a singularity of vision, as with EMI’s multi-volume “Composers in Person” series. It brought to the listening public composers – from Bartók (pictured) to Villa-Lobos – playing and conducting their own music, among them many recordings never before heard outside of private collections. It was a labour of love for its architect Ken Jagger and his colleague (and ex‑Gramophone editor) Malcolm Walker. So to have all 22 volumes gathered in one low-price box is a veritable treasure trove, to be pored over and loved for years to come