1. About the Database

Classical Music Library is the world's largest multi-label database of Classical music recordings for listening and learning in libraries. The growing collection of 50,000-plus tracks includes recordings from the world's greatest labels including Hyperion, Bridge Records, Sanctuary Classics, Artemis-Vanguard, Hänssler Classic, Vox and many more. Coverage includes music written from the earliest times (e.g. Gregorian Chant) to the present, including many contemporary composers. Repertoire ranges from vocal and choral music, to chamber, orchestral, solo instrumental, and opera. We add repertoire according the MLA publication ‘A Basic Music Library’ to ensure Classical Music Library will include at least one recording of each work listed. We provide multiple recordings of most major works, to enable comparative listening. Classical Music Library also includes many works not in the MLA list, and is increasingly adding recordings by great performers and composers.

This newest release of Classical Music Library includes new features and updates from the previous interface. Most notably, we’ve added in an Album browse, which allows users to browse all classical works by album and find associated recordings of those works. We also have updated playlist functionality, which allows the user to annotate individual items in a playlist and link out to any item, whether it’s in our database or anywhere on the web. Users can also decide whether or not to share playlists with users at their institution or anyone who subscribes to Classical Music Library. We’ve also taken into consideration user feedback and users can now search for complete recordings of classical works through our Advanced Search. This way, users can limit their search results to only recordings where we have the complete work available instead of highlights/snippets.

All other functionality and content has been migrated from the old interface and user playlists and course folders have been maintained from the old site. For a list of frequently asked questions about the transition from the old version of Classical Music Library to the new interface, please see our Transition Guide.

Content will be added on a regular basis, and exciting new materials will be highlighted on the home page, so please check back regularly for updates.

2. Acknowledgments

At Alexander Street Press, the following people have been instrumental in the development of the collection:

• Andrea Eastman-Mullins
• Christina Chamberlain
• Tom Christ
• David Vaughn
• Greg Knapp
• Joanna Koslowsky
• John Field
• Liz Dutton
• Paul Dixon
• Roger Press
• Tim Lloyd
• Mike Wathen
• Ziep Truong