Tag Archives: Performing Arts

Bibliography of the History of Art Ceases Publication

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The Temple University Libraries were notified today that the Getty Research Institute has discontinued publication of the Bibliography of the History of Art (BHA), a critical database in the field of art history. Furthermore, we regret to report that the Getty will switch off all access to the BHA at the end of March 2010. Proquest, the distributor through which Temple has had access to the BHA, confirmed in writing to us that the Getty had been looking for a buyer for the database but that as of last week, no other publisher was willing to buy and continue the database. So Getty is pulling the plug. ProQuest maintains that no extension of access for any customers will be possible after March 31.

Alternatives:

  • The Bibliography of the History of Art is a superior database and its coverage has not been duplicated in any single database available to us, but the Temple University Libraries can offer you some alternative databases that provide some overlap of BHA content.
  • ARTbibliographies Modern: Covers around 150 of the journals on BHA’s list, with unsurpassed strengths in areas such as modernism, contemporary global art and photography
  • British Humanities Index: Covers around 80 BHA journals, covering subjects such as fine art, antiques, museums, classical studies, European studies and interdisciplinary studies
  • Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI): Covers 40 BHA journals, with overlapping subject strengths in costume and dress, decorative arts and interiors

Again, all access to the Bibliography of the History of Art (BHA) will cease on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Please continue to use this resource until then.

— by Jill E. Luedke, Reference & Instruction Librarian / Art Subject Specialist

Find Scores of Classical Music by Black Composers

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Based on Professor Richard Greene’s excellent site, “Classical Music Recordings of Black Composers“, “Black Composers – Scores“ provides links of composers’ names to library holdings of scores of Black composers of classical music. Clicking on a name will yield the composer’s scores in Worldcat, the combined online catalogs of thousands of libraries worldwide. Clicking on the title of a work will show the libraries that own the work. Musicians wishing to perform a work can check if a local library has the score to a particular work, or request a score on interlibrary loan. It is our hope that this tool will encourage increasing numbers of performances of this beautiful and overlooked repertoire. Enjoy!

Michael Jackson, 1958-2009: Primary Resources, Historical Perspectives, Scholarly Insights

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Michael Jackson, known as “King of Pop”, died unexpectedly Thursday, June 25th in Los Angeles at age 50. His career began when he was 11 as part of the group the “Jackson Five”, the youngest of five brothers. He is known for his extraordinary talent in music and dance, and as a gifted entertainer. He was an innovator, most notably in the music video medium and early MTV. Jackson’s career was marred by controversy caused by allegations of personal sexual misconduct. In addition to being a musician, dancer, and entertainer, Michael Jackson was known for his philanthropy, particularly his work to help South Africa, and his composing and organizing the production of the song “We Are the World”, with proceeds going to African aid. Michael Jackson will always be known as a trailblazer in the field of pop music, and his recordings continue to break sales records.

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Following are selected resources for more information about Michael Jackson. In addition to sources readily available through news media, also included are books in the library, encyclopedia articles, and scholarly articles, resources that most people may not have thought about in regards to a popular music figure. These resources give scholarly, insightful, and analytical perspectives of Michael Jackson such as the meanings of his dance movements, the sociological aspects of his music videos, the religious significance in “Earth Song”, and more. Articles in languages other than English are a testimony to Jackson’s worldwide fame and appeal. Here you will also find primary resources such as books by Michael Jackson, and interviews that he gave when he was in his teens. These in-depth perspectives you would not find anywhere else, but @ your library! Enjoy.

Books and More


Jackson, Michael. Moonwalk. New York : Doubleday, c1988. Blockson Collection ML420.J175A3 1988
 
Jackson, Michael.Number ones [videorecording]. New York : Epic Music Video, c2003. Paley Media Services ML420.J175 N863x 2003

 


Jackson, Michael. Thriller [sound recording] Library Depository EPIC QE 38112

 

 

 


Lull, James, and Stephen Hinerman, eds.Media scandals : morality and desire in the popular culture marketplace. New York : Columbia University Press, 1997.
Paley Stacks P96.S29M43 1997


Jefferson, Margo. On Michael Jackson. New York : Pantheon Books, c2006.
Paley Stacks ML420.J175 J44 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Taraborrelli, J. Randy.Michael Jackson : the magic and the madness.Secaucus, N.J. : Carol Pub. Group, 1991. Blockson Collection ML420.J175T3 1991

Online Encyclopedia Articles
*****Restricted to Temple University users only. Enter your AccessNet username and password.*****

“Michael Jackson.” Contemporary Musicians, Volume 44. G
ale Group, 2004. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale,   2009.
“Michael Jackson.” Contemporary Black Biography. Vol. 53. Thomson Gale, 2006.
Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009.
“Michael Jackson.” St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. 5 vols. St. James Press, 2000. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009.
“Michael Jackson.” Notable Black American Men. Gale Research, 1998.
Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009.

 
Selected Journal Articles and Book Chapters

*****Many are restricted to Temple University users only.  Enter your AccessNet username and password.*****

Baker, Danny.  The great Greenland mystery: Michael Jackson. Meaty beaty big & bouncy!” Classic rock and pop writing from Elvis to Oasis. London: Sceptre, 1997. 157-178 pp.
Abstract: An interview with Michael Jackson and his brothers first published in New musical express on 4 April 1981.

Burnett, Robert and Bert Deivert. Black or White: Michael Jackson’s Video as a Mirror of Popular Culture. Popular Music and Society 19:3 (Fall 1995) p.19-40. Paley Stacks ML1 .P69457

Buschmann, Gerd. Der Sturm Gottes zur Neuschöpfung: Biblische Symboldidaktik in  Michael Jacksons Mega-Video-Hit Earth Song. Katechetische Blätter. Vol. 121, no. 3, pp.187-196. 1996.
Abstract: Jackson’s 1995 video Earth song plays with central biblical themes including creation, the fall from grace, the prayer of lamentation, theophany, prophecy, and resurrection. In terms of form and content,the video corresponds to a psalm of lamentation, with three parts: lament, plea, and help. Jackson appears as a prophet and modern Christ-like figure.

Campbell, Melissa. Saying the Unsayable: The Non-Verbal Vocalisations of Michael Jackson. Context 26 (Spring 2003) p.17-26.

Dyson, Michael Eric. A postmodern Afro-American secular spirituality: Michael Jackson. The theology of American popular music: Proceedings of the first conference in theomusicology, 7-8 April 1989
Abstract: The achievements of Michael Jackson are viewed as representing a postmodern form of black American secular spirituality that is primarily televisual and performance-oriented in its medium of expression, and that wrestles in poignant fashion with moral themes that reflect black cultural and religious consciousness.

Dyson, Michael Eric. Wanna Be Startin’ Something? Two Sharp Minds Contemplate the Significance of the Michael Jackson Trial. VIBE 13:10 (October 2005) p.128-131.
Early, Gerald. Three notes on the roots of rhythm. Conjunctions. Vol. 16, pp.197-208. 1991
Abstract: The success of Chubby Checker’s The twist with white audiences and the role of music in Shirley Temple’s and Michael Jackson’s films help to explain the cultural context of American rhythm and blues.

Epstein, Debbie and Deborah Lynn Steinberg. The Face of Ruin: Evidentiary Spectacle and the Trial of Michael Jackson. Social Semiotics; Dec2007, Vol. 17 Issue 4, p441-458, 18p

Garry, George. At home with Michael Jackson. Very Seventies: A cultural history of the 1970s, from the pages of Crawdaddy New York, NY: Fireside/Simon &Schuster, 1995. 87-92 pp.
Abstract: Interview with a 13-year-old Michael Jackson originally published in
September 1972.

Harvey, Lisa St. Clari.Temporary insanity: Fun, games, and transformational ritual in American music video. Journal of popular culture. Vol. 24, no. 1, pp.39-64. (summer 1990)Abstract: Music video relies heavily on viewer reactions and perceptions. Video may be related to the masked ball, in which excess and indulgence in the usually forbidden are expected. Music video allows viewer participation at a vicarious level. The dream world of video may represent a collage of aspects of society. Videos of Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, and Duran Duran are summarized.

Hills, Mattl. Michael Jackson Fans on Trial? “Documenting” Emotivism and Fandom in Wacko About JackoSocial Semiotics; Dec2007, Vol. 17 Issue 4, p459-477, 19p

Ihlemann, Lisbeth. Michael Jackson: Monster, maskine, myte, menneske? Musik & forskning. Vol. 23, pp.110-25. Abstract: The pop star Michael Jackson draws attention not only to his music, but also to himself as a star and a person. Jackson’s image is explored in relation to star theories developed by media studies scholars. In contrast to most stars, Jackson’s persona seems to exhibit only the extraordinar
y: He is most often perceived as a freak or an alien. Jackson’s save-the-world attitude and obvious attraction to aggressive masculinity are explored.

Lau, Thomas. Idole, Ikonen und andere Menschen: Madonna, Michael Jackson und die Fans. “Alles so schön bunt hier”: Die Geschichte der Popkultur von den Fünfzigern bis heute. Stuttgart, Germany: Reclam, 1999. 241-253 pp. Abstract: In pop culture, the idol relies on the fan as much as the fan relies on the idol. Still, the relationship between the two has changed considerably in the past 20 years, also in light of the advent of techno culture.

Mayfield, Geoff. Over the Counter: Jackson Set Still Thrilling after All These Years. Billboard – The International Newsweekly of Music, Video and Home Entertainment 120:9 (1 March 2008) p.37.

Mittel,Jason. A Cultural Approach to Television Genre Theory Cinema Journal; Spring2001, Vol. 40 Issue 3, p3, 22p.
Abstract: Argues that genres are cultural categories that surpass the boundaries of media texts and operate within the industry, audience and cultural practices. Obstacle to the development of television-specific genre theory; Types of discursive practices; Goal in analyzing generic discourses; Genre analysis with Michael Jackson’s music videos; Principles of cultural genre analysis.

Nathan, David. Feature: Michael Jackson; A “Thriller” of a Career. Blues & Soul 1004 (6 March 2008)

Olligs, Ursula. Die rhythmisch-energetische Struktur von Michael Jacksons Tanz. Musik-, Tanz- und Kunsttherapie. Vol. 9, no. 2, pp.72-86. 1998.
Abstract: As no other pop idol, Michael Jackson bases his success on dance. By means of three video-tapes, the dance-psychological research of his dancing and body language tracks sources and characteristics of this way of movement. Reference to the dance therapeutically aspects are made.

Paoletta, Michael. UpFront: Music – Michael Jackson: Now What? Billboard – The International Newsweekly of Music, Video and Home Entertainment 117:26 (25 June 2005) p.7-8.

Silberman, Seth Clark. Presenting Michael Jackson™. Social Semiotics; Dec2007, Vol. 17 Issue 4, p417-440.

Sonnega, William. Morphing borders: The remanence of MTV. TDR: The drama review. Vol. 39, no. 1, pp.45-61. spring 1995.
Abstract:World beat, a musical genre combining melodic and rhythmic features from various world cultures into a single form, has become commonplace in contemporary popular music, and has worked to break down cultural barriers. Implicit in its multilayered culturalism is the Futurist notion of a technologically generated utopia. In the past decade Music Television (MTV) has successfully capitalized on incorporating world beat into its programming, becoming a model that other artistic agencies have followed, as exemplified in the Michael Jackson music video Black and white and a recent theatrical production of Thornton Wilder’s play The skin of our teeth.

Stewart, Elizabeth and Theresa Buckland. Dance; music video. Parallel lines: Media representations of dance. London, England: Arts Council of Great Britain, 1993. 51-79 pp.
Abstract: The role of dance in music video extends across a spectrum. At one end of the spectrum is the dramatic mode, where dance operates prominently s an expressive tool; at the other end is the fragmentary dance mage, nondiegetic, unconnected to the musical producers, and perhaps nly flitting briefly across the scene. Here the moving body interacts ith video technology to form abstract visual and rhythmic patterning. his style is rarely used to present the dancing pop star, since ilmic treatment of the star is constrained primarily by the onstructive techniques of stardom. Videos featuring Kate Bush, Paula bdul, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson are analyzed.

Tischer, Rolf. “Heal the World”: Religion in der kommerziellen Rock- und Popmusik am  Beispiel von Michael Jackson.Gotteslob im Klang der Zeit: Rolf Schweizer zum 65. Geburtstag München: Strube, 2001. 122-142 pp. Abstract: The process of secularization would seem to be unstoppable in modern society, and yet there is a constant need for religiousness. This is reflected in contemporary pop and rock music. This is exemplified by a song and video clip by Michael Jackson: In Heal the world, he appears as a messiah. Such phenomena within supposedly superficial pop culture should be taken seriously.

Tucker, Mark. Behind the beat: Michael Jackson and Prince. ISAM newsletter. Vol. 14, no. 1, pp.12-14. Nov 1984 Abstract: An examination of recent songs performed by Michael Jackson and Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson), including Billie Jean (from Michael Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller) and When doves cry (from Prince’s 1984 release Purple rain).
RL: Resource Locationhttp://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/isam/NewsF84.pdf

Walls, Richard C. Bruce Springsteen; Michael Jackson: Through time and space with the changeling gods. Creem. Vol. 19, no. 6. Feb 1988

Wenzel, Ulrich. Pawlows Panther: Zu Rezeption von Musikvideos zwischen bedingtem; Reflex und zeichentheoretischer Reflexion. VIVA MTV! Popmusik im Fernsehen.Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Suhrkamp, 1999. 45-73 pp.
Abstract: A discussion of the poststructuralist debate, which has been intensely connected with videos and music television, drawing on the description of Michael Jackson’s video Black or White.

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Temple Libraries Celebrate 3 Million Volumes

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November 13, Paley Library Lecture Hall-Temple University Libraries celebrated 3 million volumes, a testament to the rich and growing collections available to Temple scholars, students and researchers.

At the ceremony on Thursday, the 13th, the Libraries’ Board of Visitors Chair Estelle Alexander, Dean of University Libraries Larry P. Alford, Provost Lisa Staiano-Coico, and Special Collections Department head Tom Whitehead unveiled the ceremonial book to a crowd of over nearly 200 at the celebration in Paley Library. Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Teresa Scott Soufas; Dean of the School of Communications and Theater, Concetta M. Stewart; and the head of the Theater Department, Roberta Sloan, also participated in the day’s activities.

The acquisition, Shakespeare’s The Tragedie of Hamlet Prince of Denmarke, is “a stunning example of 20th century fine printing,” according to Alford. The book was issued by the Cranach Press in 1930, edited by J. Dover Wilson, contains illustrations by Edward Gordon Craig and was printed by Count Harry Kessler. Whitehead worked with a number of departments across Temple to acquire this fine edition, which supports so many disciplines across campus.

Festivities also featured the opening of a new exhibit on the history of fine printing curated by Whitehead. For the occasion Whitehead and Brian D. Stilwell wrote the Libraries’ first large scholarly exhibition catalog: Fine Printing and Typography of Five and One-Half Centuries.

Actors Ross Beschler, as Hamlet, and Whitney Nielson, as Ophelia, performed the famed Hamlet scene, “To Be or Not To Be,” to the delight of the crowd. The Libraries had consulted with the Theater Department on the selection of the book, which further demonstrates Temple’s strong commitment to the arts. The text of Hamlet is not just a singularly great work of theater, but the commentary and illustrations in our 3- millionth edition serve as a primary source for theater history and design.

After the ceremony, a keynote lecture was given by Harvard University’s Marjorie Garber, one of the nation’s foremost and versatile scholars. Garber’s talk A Tale of Three Hamlets focused specifically on the book of the day, the “Cranach Hamlet.” Dr. Garber’s lecture was co-sponsored by the Center for the Humanities at Temple.

In addition to the 3 million volumes, the Libraries hold 10 million images; more than 50,000 print and online subscriptions; 35,000 linear feet of manuscripts; and a rich collection of sound and video recordings, along with growing media holdings. Thanks to all involved in making the Libraries’ 3 Millionth Volume Celebration so special.

Interview with Legendary Performers “Kittye” DeChavis and Trudy Pitts

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In celebration of Women’s History Month, legendary jazz performers Katherine “Kittye” DeChavis and Trudy Pitts spoke and performed at Paley Library on March 5th, 2008. After the performance, Ms. DeChavis and Ms. Pitts joined librarian Anne Harlow for questions and conversation recorded on this Library Podcast.

In the podcast, Katherine “Kittye” DeChavis describes her earliest musical experiences. She recalls the musical environment of Philadelphia that provided many opportunities to learn, to perform, and to listen to various kinds of music. Ms. DeChavis describes her move to Montreal, and then to New York, working at the Paradise and the Apollo Theaters. She tells the story of how she unexpectedly came to record the hits “Hucklebuck” and “Be Anything but Be Mine.” Ms. DeChavis expresses heartfelt concern for young people today, and offers advice for students who are studying to be performers.

Trudy Pitts, a native Philadelphian, performs and records extensively on jazz organ. She has degrees from the Philadelphia Music Academy, Temple University, and Juilliard, and is currently on the piano faculty of the University of the Arts. In the podcast, Trudy recalls her extensive training in classical music, and how growing up in a musical family in Philadelphia influenced her music. She talks about her transition from classical music to jazz, and how she incorporates classical elements into her performances. Trudy shares her philosophies of being a wife, mother, and professional musician, and gives warmhearted guidance for aspiring young musicians.

Special thanks to Sebastian Derry, Media Services Librarian, for serving as the sound engineer for the podcast and to Dr. Diane D. Turner, Curator of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, for planning today’s program and reaching out and inviting these two extraordinary women to come to the library today. And thank you to Kittye DeChavis and Trudy Pitts for sharing their experiences and insights with us.

Get the audio here

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Ms. Kittye DeChavis performing at Temple University Paley Library on March 5th, 2008.

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Ms. Trudy Pitts takes a bow after her performance at Temple University’s Paley Library, March 5, 2008.

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Curator of the Blockson Collection Dr. Diane Turner, WRTI radio announcers Harrison Ridley and Bob Perkins, and University Librarian Larry Alford with Tracy Pitts and Kittye DeChavis.

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Kittye DeChavis, Anne Harlow, and Trudy Pitts

–Anne Harlow

New Streaming Audio Databases

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Temple University Libraries is pleased to announce the addition of new online streaming audio resources.

American Song contains over 50,000 songs in every style, period, and genre. Genres represented include Blues, Tin Pan Alley, Cajun, Cowboy, Ragtime, African-American songs, Bluegrass, sacred, and choral music. One can browse the database by historical events such as D-Day, the Cuban Missile Crisis, or the first moon landing. Also included are presidential campaign songs from 1789-1996.

Contemporary World Music provides twentieth and twenty-first century music from everywhere in the world. Genres include reggae, world beat, Balkanic jazz, African film, Bollywood, and Arab swing as well as more traditional genres such as Indian Classical, fado, flamenco, klezmer, gospel, and more. One can search or browse genre, people groups, instruments, geographic location, and performer.

Database of Recorded American Music (DRAM) is a non-profit initiative funded by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and other organizations. This database provides streaming audio of American music from New World Records, CRI, Albany, Innova, Cedilla, XI, Pogus, Deep Listening, and Mutable Music labels. A wide array of genres is represented: folk, Native American, jazz, 19th century classical, early rock, musical theater, contemporary, electronic, and more. Searching and browsing by composer, instrument, performer, record labels, and titles of compositions is available.

These databases provide depth and variety to the repertoire offered by Temple’s online audio resources.

For a list of streaming audio resources provided by Temple University Libraries see guides.temple.edu/music.

Please feel free to contact me for further information about these resources.

-Anne Harlow

Luciano Pavarotti, 1935-2007

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On September 6th, 2007, opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, arguably the most amazing tenor since Caruso, died at age 71 of pancreatic cancer at his home in Modena, Italy. Pavarotti had a voice that was immediately recognizable; tender, expressive, and yet brilliant and clear at the same time. Born in Modena, his father an amateur singer and baker and his mother a worker in a cigar factory, Pavarotti transcended his modest beginnings and had a persona that was in many ways larger than life. He broke barriers between the frequently perceived high-brow culture of opera and, through his gregarious personality and exquisite voice, opened up the art form to be enjoyed by non-expert listeners everywhere. To accomplish this, Pavarotti, much to the chagrin of classical critics, performed in large stadiums, combined popular songs with serious operatic arias in concerts such as the series of “The Three Tenors”, and performed with the Spice Girls, Sting, Elmo on Sesame Street, and on Saturday Night Live with Vanessa Williams. He constantly reached out to bring the public into the concert hall. Pavarotti’s efforts were so successful that he enjoyed the popularity and celebrity normally associated only with rock stars. Music lovers around the world joined together to mourn and to commemorate this much-beloved musician, who will be greatly missed.

In Philadelphia, Pavarotti established the Pavarotti International Voice Competition in the 1980’s. Young singers competed in cities around the world and winners traveled to Philadelphia to participate in final rounds. Winners received financial rewards, concert contracts, and a role singing alongside Pavarotti in upcoming Opera Company of Philadelphia performances. One such performance, the 1982 performance of La Bohème, won an Emmy for the “best classical program in the performing arts”.

In addition to his work to encourage young talent, Pavarotti was also a great humanitarian. He worked tirelessly to provide funds for victims of wars in Bosnia, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Iraq. With Diana, Princess of Wales, he helped raise funds to eliminate land mines. His humanitarian efforts won him numerous awards including the Freedom of London Award, the Red Cross Award for Services to Humanity, and the Nansen Medal from the UN High Commission for Refugees.

Although Pavarotti is no longer here physically, his voice continues to live through countless sound recordings and videorecordings of his performances, widely available commercially and in libraries. Pavarotti was careful that nearly all of his performances were recorded in some fashion, leaving behind a legacy for listeners to continue to enjoy.

Paley Library has books about the great maestro, in addition to recordings of his performances on discs, and DVD’s. Streaming audio to some of his recordings is provided in the databases Classical Music Library (Verdi Requiem) and Naxos Music Library.

For more information see

Obituaries
BBC
(London )Times
New York Times
Philadelphia Inquirer
Washington Post

-Anne Harlow

New Library Database! Theatre in Video!

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Temple University Libraries is pleased to announce the addition of Theatre in Video to its online resources. Theatre in Video is an entirely different kind of database, offering streaming video of entire plays. Included in the repertoire are the BBC’s productions of the entire works of Shakespeare, as well as plays from antiquity to modernity, unlimited by geographic origin. In addition to plays,Theatre in Video contains documentaries about notable playwrights and directors such as August Wilson, Bertolt Brecht, Henrik Ibsen, Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller, Konstantin Stanislavsky, Tennessee Williams, and many more. Productions range in date from 1936 to 2005.

Theatre in Video is easy to access and to use. Viewers can do a general search for a particular play, performer, playwright, or director, or browse lists of productions, documentaries, people, genres, companies, theatres, and dates. Students and professors can make personal playlists of clips which can be shared.

Theatre in Video is an exciting new kind of database, opening a new dimension in online offerings from Temple University Libraries, useful for instruction in many disciplines, as well as for enjoyment.

If you have any questions concerning Theatre in Video, feel free to contact me, Anne Harlow, aharlow@temple.edu.

Introducing Classical Scores Library

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Temple University Libraries is pleased to announce the addition of Classical Scores Library, a new database containing the digitized printed music of hundreds of works. The current release of 1,075 scores includes works by 49 composers of in-copyright material from Boosey & Hawkes as well as material from the University Music Editions microfilm series. Examples of composers included in this first release are Copland, Britten, Stravinsky, and Rorem, and many others. Upon completion, the database will include the entire UME catalog, manuscript materials, complete works of major composers as well as lesser-known composers, and multiple editions of some works for comparison and analysis.

Access and use of the database are simple and practical. Users can search or browse by composer, genre, instrument, type of score, and time period. Scores can also be searched by duration, language, year of publication, and publisher. The scores are provided in pdf format and can be easily downloaded and/or printed.

An exciting feature of the database is cross-linking online scores to corresponding sound recordings with sister database Classical Music Library. Listeners can easily follow the score online in Classical Scores Library at the same time as listening to the music.

Please feel free to contact me, Anne Harlow aharlow@temple.edu, for further information regarding this new resource

New Audio Resources!

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Naxos Music Library / Naxos Music Library Jazz

Temple University Libraries is pleased to announce the
addition of Naxos Music Library and Naxos Music Library Jazz 
to our online streaming audio offerings.

The basis of the collection consists of the entire output of
the Naxos Recording Company. The mission of the company is
and has been since its inception in 1987 to provide the
widest possible range of repertoire to the widest possible
audience, resulting in an extremely extensive online musical
library.

All of Naxos’ recordings are available in the online service
whether they are out of print or still available for
purchase, and every new recording is included in the online
database as soon as it is commercially released. The
collection includes classical, jazz, blues, and world music.
The classical repertoire is thoroughly represented,
including unusual and contemporary works that cannot be
heard elsewhere such as the works of Joachim Raff, William
Henry Fry, Krzysztof Penderecki, Bohuslav Martinu, and
others. The strength of the Naxos collection is in its breadth. The
world music collection is particularly strong in the music
of East Asia. The content of the database grows not only by
the production of new recordings, but also by Naxos
negotiating with other recording companies to include
additional repertoire. Their website states that an
average of 39 CD’s per month were added in 2006.

The interface is easy to use and quite intuitive. Plenty of
online help is available, including a FAQ, User Guide, and
User Instructions. One can use the Advanced Search Feature
to search by keyword, disc or composition title, composer,
artist, record label, arranger, lyricist, performing group,
genre or music category, instrument, period, country, year
composed, and by mood or scenarios. In addition, the
collection is browsable by genres such as Classical,
Jazz/Contemporary, World/Folk, New Age, Chinese, Pop and
Rock and also by categories such as Ballet, Chamber Music,
Sacred Choral, Secular Choral, Composers, Concertos,
Educational, Film Music, Instrumental, Musicals,
Opera/Operetta, TV Music, Vocal, and Collections.

Naxos provides podcasts such as Classical Music Spotlight,
Choral Music of Thomas Tallis, American Jewish Music from
the Milken Archive with Leonard Nimoy, and interviews with
performers and composers.

Faculty can create folders for shared playlists for use in
classes, and provide persistant links to sound recordings in
course management software such as Blackboard .

Sound recordings provide an additional and enjoyable layer
of depth to the understanding of culture and history. The
Naxos Collection is invaluable for teaching history, ethnic
studies, world cultures, and African-American studies as
well as for music, dance, and theater.

Enjoy!

Anne Harlow