EMS Recordings

EMS Recordings was founded in 1949 by Jack Skurnick in New York City. The company won first prize at the Audio Fair of 1950 for the high quality and interest of its recordings.

Skurnick's parents, Max and Anna Skurnick, owned a record store on 42nd street, named the Elaine Music Shop after the wife of a previous owner. Skurnick, a musicologist and amateur violinist, helped out in the store. When he finally realized his dream of starting a record company, he named the company after the store where he made the acquaintance of many music lovers and artists.

Skurnick died suddenly in 1952, leaving behind a wife, the painter Fay Kleinman and a daughter, Davida, who would become the theater historian Davi Napoleon and the mother of two boys, including jazz guitarist Randy Napoleon.

During his short lifetime, Skurnick produced three acclaimed series for EMS, Pro Musica Antiqua, Forecasts in Music, and Survey of the Art Song. These were all released as long-playing records only.

Beethoven, Octect in E flat major, opus 103 and Rondino in E flat major, grove 146, Little Orchestra Society, Thomas Scherman, conductor (EMS 1)

Joseph Hayden, Partita in F Major, EMS Chamber Orchestra, Edvard Fendler, onductor; Sonatas in D Major and A Flat Major, Charles Rosen, Piano (EMS 3)

Farnaby Canzonets and Virginals, Oriana Singers conducted by Charles M. Hobbs (EMS 5)

Pro Musica Antiqua

EMS presents music composed before the eighteenth century, performed authentically.

Forecasts in Music

Survey of the Art Song

Sonata in A Minor, Opus 42 (EMS 107) Sonata in D Major, Opus 53 (EMS 108) Sonata in G Major, Opus 78 (EMS 109) Sonata in G Minor, Opus Posth (EMS 110) Sonata in A Major, Opus Posth (EMS 111) Sonata in B Flat Major, Opus Posth (EMS 112)

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