We are a premium quality artist-led label.
Our aim is primarily to record classical artists who are already well-known world-wide (often with previous recording contracts with so-called 'major' labels), but who now wish to take more control of their recording careers.

ONYX was started in May 2005 by Chris Craker (founder of the Black Box label) and Paul Moseley, for many years a senior executive at Decca. Since August 1, 2006 it is wholly owned and run by Paul Moseley.

ONYX is a premier-quality label featuring world-renowned artists in the repertoire that is most important to them.

Our recordings can be purchased at good retailers worldwide, or direct here, where you can sample each recording before you buy, and then either order the physical CD or download complete albums or individual tracks, all at very competitive prices and in several different currencies.

All of the Onyx catalogue is available for download in MP3 format.

Click here for download details and to listen to free streaming previews.

About digital distribution

Many music lovers still buy CDs in the traditional way at their high street store. They'll find Onyx there, naturally. But if their preference is to purchase online at a time of their choosing, they can buy Onyx CDs in any of 5 currencies direct from our dedicated site, www.onyxclassics.com. And, unlike many other companies who seem to regard digital distribution with suspicion, we embrace it. Album tracks are available for streaming sample, and every single track or the complete album can be purchased via our unique downloading service, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Content will be constantly updated to keep the experience fresh and exciting. So for example, you'll be able to check out your favourite artists' next concert appearances, take part in exciting competitions and watch artists talking about their latest recordings.

My personal experience with a Onyxclassics CD

I have tried the recordings of this small company listening to some pieces that I know very well and that I had the chance to listen live in the Church of Pietà in Venice.
A distintive feature of baroque music is to be $clean, is the order and the execution accuracy. When you listen at a live concert, perhaps in evocative atmosphere, the sight of the performers, rustling of score, the echoing of coughs, make the order inspired by this kind of music something absolutely natural and harmonious.
By contrast, when I listen a cd all this natural ambience is missing and this "order" frequently becomes coldness, almost opacity.
This didn't happen listening to this recording.
The concerto in re major RV208 called "Big Mogul" keep as grosso expresses all his almost military solemnity.
The probable "LAUS DEO BEATAEQUE VIRGINI" of the LDBV autographed in the original score is expressed here with an unusual and, I believe, unconscious force.
Mullova seems to me, at the beginning, only perfectly included between the members of the Giardino Armonico but, after a while, the magisterial conducting of master Antonini makes the violinist's character literally explodes with virtuosity and energy.
And the ambient pathos, and the scene of baroque Serenissima is re-created and you find yourself plunged into a noisy and awesome Venice at her most splendid brightness.
You can't really ask more to a small metal disc covered by plastic.
It is required listening to the other issues of this keen label.