Martin Stafford (OS 1967) has recently released on his ISMERON CD label (www.ismeron.co.uk) the first complete recording of Afrika Hymnus – a 78 minute work for organ in eleven movements by South African composer Stefans Grové (1922-2014). 

The recording was made in St Albans Cathedral in March 2021 by Herman Jordaan, a distinguished international prize-winning organist who was a pupil of the composer at the University of Pretoria.

The recording was made primarily to fulfil the requirements for Herman to receive the degree of D. Mus. from the University and was not originally intended for commercial release.  However, Martin thought it so good that he offered to adopt it.

Above: An extract from Martin Stafford's CD booklet, the longest he has ever issued with a CD.

He has also commissioned Herman Jordaan to record a CD of music by Alec Rowley (1892-1958) on the organ of Albion Church Ashton-u-Lyne. This project will be completed sometime this year.

Martin tells us:

I am glad to be involved in these projects, as it shows I am still productive in old age (now 74).

About the ISMERON CD label

ISMERON CD label was set up in 1994, when Martin realised that one of his favourite recordings would never be reissued on CD unless he himself organised and financed the project. This is when he embarked on the CD branch of his enterprise.  1994 was also the centenary of the birth of the composer E.J. Moeran.  To commemorate this anniversary, a new recording of the piano works was commissioned. Late in 1995 the name of ISMERON (a character in Purcell’s The Indian Queen and the name of a family pet) was adopted for the book imprint and CD label.

Since ISMERON products are for a specialised market, production runs are small. Martin's motive in producing them is for pleasure and commitment rather than profit, and as such prices are kept as low as is practicable.

Find out more at www.ismeron.co.uk