Psappha catalogue acquired by NMC

NMC Recordings has announced that it has acquired Manchester-based ensemble Psappha's catalogue of recordings following the group’s closure after losing 100% of its Arts Council England (ACE) funding.

The ensemble officially closed its doors yesterday (6 November) after announcing earlier this year that it had made the decision to close as it could not identify a new funding model after ACE cuts. Psappha has signed over its full rights to NMC for all the ensemble’s releases to ensure recordings remain available in perpetuity.

NMC executive director Cathy Graham said: ‘Over the past 32 years Psappha’s contribution to living composers and the musical life of this country has been immeasurable. We were enormously saddened to learn of their decision to close but proud and happy that NMC Recordings is able to safeguard their legacy by ensuring their magnificent recorded archive, which we have previously distributed, will be available in perpetuity. If you’re not familiar with it, I really recommend you take some time to explore.’

The ensemble launched its own record label in 2004 and, since September 2021 has distributed its catalogue via British recording label and charity NMC Recordings. The ensemble’s music falls under the NMC services branch of the label, which is designed to look after the distribution of smaller labels.

Over 32 years Psappha has commissioned and premiered music by more than 500 composers. The catalogue which is set to become available through NMC includes works by the ensemble’s founding Patron Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and a 2022 disc created in celebration of the group’s 30^th anniversary with new commissions by composers including John Casken, Tom Coult, Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade and Alissa Firsova.

Pasppha chair Kate Stross said: ‘We are delighted that NMC will continue to be the custodian and distributor of Psappha's recorded archive. We know that our archive will be in good hands following the very sad closure of Psappha itself.’