REINTRODUCING THE LEGENDARY ALBUM THAT DEFINED MEDIEVAL MUSIC AND SECURED THE FUTURE OF A PIONEERING LABEL
After more than three decades, Hyperion Records is thrilled to announce its re-entry into the vinyl format, the medium on which the label’s earliest and most influential recordings were released. The initial launch features five meticulously curated albums, including the groundbreaking 1982 release A Feather on the Breath of God. This seminal album, a defining moment in Hyperion’s history, not only earned the label its first of 45 Gramophone Awards but also sold over one million copies, solidifying Hyperion’s position in the classical music world.
Originally released during a time when Abbess Hildegard of Bingen was a relatively obscure figure known only to a handful of scholars, A Feather on the Breath of God introduced a global audience to her profound compositions. The ensemble Gothic Voices, featuring the then up-and-coming English soprano Emma Kirkby, was assembled for the recording sessions with little knowledge of the music’s eventual impact. However, both label founder Ted Perry and project director Christopher Page recognized the uniqueness of Hildegard’s work. The album’s success opened the ears of classical listeners to a new and unfamiliar sound, earning high praise from critics worldwide. Gramophone magazine described the experience as “spellbinding”, a sentiment that has persisted over the decades.
Now, 42 years later, A Feather on the Breath of God returns to its original LP format, offering both long-time fans and new listeners a chance to experience the album as it was first heard. Founder of Gothic Voices, Dr Christopher Page of Cambridge University, recalls it vividly: “The record was made in a single day, from dark to dark, and seems to have caught the mood of the times. Ted Perry, Hyperion’s founder, said drily after the sessions: ‘We’ve made a good record, but will anyone buy it?”
After the record’s runaway success, Ted Perry referred to Hildegard as the label’s “patron saint” for sustaining the company through its formative years. In 2012, Hildegard’s contributions were further recognized by Pope Benedict XVI, who canonized her as a Saint, acknowledging her holiness and the originality of her teachings.
This reissue comes as Hyperion celebrates the introduction of its entire 43,000-track, over 2,000-album catalogue to streaming platforms worldwide. Just 60 weeks after the initial launch of 200 albums, Hyperion has achieved over 200 million streams, underscoring the label’s continued relevance and the deep respect it commands in the industry.
“We couldn’t be more delighted that Hyperion is returning to vinyl” said Tom Lewis, Co-President of Decca Records. “As the format continues to attract new fans globally, these albums are a perfect fit for vinyl enthusiasts and collectors alike.”
The initial vinyl release also includes four other distinguished albums, each presented in full-colour gatefold packaging:
- Angela Hewitt’s 2015 Bach Goldberg Variations (2LP set) – A winner of the Diapason d’Or, with glowing reviews from Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine, which praised her playing as “tender, translucent, and jaw-droppingly felicitous.”
- Alina Ibragimova’s Mendelssohn Violin Concerto – Paired with his early D minor Violin Concerto, and performed with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Vladimir Jurowski, this album showcases Ibragimova’s “verve, brilliance, and imaginative intelligence” (Gramophone).
- Sir Stephen Hough’s Complete Chopin Waltzes – A recipient of the 2011 Diapason d’Or de l’Année, The Times lauded Hough’s performance as soulful and intimate, offering “melting moments” that leave a lasting impression.
- Marc-André Hamelin’s Shostakovich Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 – Backed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor Andrew Litton, this recording has earned top recommendations for its interpretative depth and technical brilliance.
These limited-edition albums will be available starting Friday, September 13, 2024, with an initial pressing of just 1,000 copies per title. For more information, please visit Hyperion Records.