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. It issued the first recording of works of Edgard Varese. Skurnick's parents, Max and Anna Skurnick, owned a record store on West 44th street, named the Elaine Music Shop after the wife of a previous owner. Skurnick, a musicologist and amateur violinist, helped out there. When he started his record company, he named it after the store. He died in 1952. During his short lifetime, Skurnick produced three series for EMS, Pro Musica Antiqua, Forecasts in Music, and Survey of the Art Song. These were all released as long-playing records only.

Discography

Beethoven, Octet 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, conductor; 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)