The erotic novel everyone is talking about has spawned a classical music compilation.

The phenomenal success of E L James’s erotic book trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey has made an impact on the classical music industry.

EMI Classics is set to release a compilation CD featuring 15 classical masterworks referenced in the series and selected by the author. “I’m thrilled that the classical pieces that inspired me while I wrote the Fifty Shades Trilogy are being brought together in one collection for all lovers of the books to enjoy,” she said.

No doubt the record label noticed a significant spike in sales when a reference to Thomas Tallis’ 40-voice motet Spem in Alium in the first book, published in May 2011, caused the Tallis Scholars’ fine recording to soar in the charts. Other artists featured on the album include Sir Simon Rattle with the City of Birmingham Symphony and Sir Adrian Boult with the London Philharmonic; soprano Barbara Hendricks and pianist Alexandre Tharaud.

EMI Classics Vice President Wendy Ong says the books “offer an exciting new way to present this timeless music to audiences who might not otherwise be exposed to it”.

Fifty Shades of Grey and the sequels, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, trace the...