Naxos AudioBooks was conceived in January 1994 during a supper in Cannes, France, at Midem, the principal music trade fair. Klaus Heymann, founder of the classical and Nicolas Soames, a classical music journalist and publisher, were discussing literature and music – and from that conversation came Naxos AudioBooks: classic literature with classical music.
The concept was to offer the key works of Western literature in an engaging yet faithful manner. ‘Many people feel daunted by the works of Homer, Dante, Milton, – yet these are the great stories of the world, and the basis of Western culture,’ said Nicolas Soames. ‘They started as stories to be told!’