Naxos AudioBooks was founded in 1994 by Klaus Heymann and Nicolas Soames with the purpose of providing classic literature with classical music on CD and cassette. The intention was to make the great classics accessible and the label began with the key works of Western literature: Homer, Dante, Milton, Austen, Dickens, Melville, Shakespeare, and many others. 

It quickly established a reputation for fine recordings by outstanding classical actors, such as Juliet Stevenson, Kenneth Branagh, Anton Lesser and many more, and experienced ‘radio’ voices, such as Neville Jason and David Timson, who know how to create a magical world through storytelling.

The label won numerous prizes for such recordings as Joyce’s Ulysess read by Jim Norton and Marcella Riordan, Jane Austen’s Emma read by Juliet Stevenson, and newly commissioned texts such as The History of Classical Music. The recordings were widely praised not only for the readings, but also for the skillful use of classical music and the presentation as a whole.

It also became the first independent audiobook company to develop its own Download Shop from its website, offering fast, high-quality downloads in easy-to-use MP3 format, before adding the option of M4B format as well.

Enjoy a sample of Tolstoy's "War and Peace", read by Neville Jason