Arguably the most extensive representation of the classical music repertoire in online streaming audio, Naxos Music Library just got even better by adding Sony Classical recordings to its offerings. Sony Classical is the label for many legendary artists such as Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, Placido Domingo, Yo Yo Ma, Glenn Gould, Vladimir Horowitz, Leonard Bernstein, Jascha Heifitz, Van Cliburn and groups such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Pops, and New York Philharmonic. Other renowned artists on Sony Classical include Isaac Stern, Murray Perahia, John Williams, Dmitri Metropolis, Eugene Ormandy, Bruno Walter, George Szell, Wynton Marsalis and more. In addition to adding to the already extensive classical library, Sony Classical contains the streaming audio film scores Titanic (1997), Shakespeare in Love (1998), The Red Violin (1999) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), The Artist (2011), and Life of Pi (2012).
Sony Classical boasts a long and illustrious history. In 1988 Sony Japan acquired the American company CBS Records, including labels as CBS Masterworks and Columbia Records. Historically, Columbia Records pioneered the 33 1/3 rpm and was the first to produce and distribute this medium to a mass market. Through acquisitions and mergers, Sony Classical now encompasses RCA Records, EMI and others.
In addition to Sony Classical, Naxos Music Library provides streaming audio to complete catalogues or selected recordings of over 640 labels such as ARC, Berlin Classics, BIS, Capriccio, Chandos, EMI Classics, Erato, Hänssler Classic, Hungaroton, Naïve, Naxos, Nimbus, Ondine, Virgin Classics and Warner Classics, making Naxos Music Library the “most comprehensive collection of classical music available online.” The database currently includes over 88,000 CD-length recordings (equivalent to 1,282,800 tracks) and adds over than 1,000 CD-length recordings every month. Music notes, cover artwork, tracklists, instrumentation and publisher information for each recording are provided, as well as libretti and synopses of more than 700 operas and more than 40,000 composer and artist biographies.
Naxos Music Library is easy to use. You can search by composer, title of works, simple keyword search, or advanced search that allows searching by playing time, year of composition, label, instrument, genre, and more. Professors can create playlists to share with students for courses, and students can create their own individual playlists of personal favorites. Best of all, Naxos Music Library is available anywhere, anytime, on or off campus with a computer or a mobile device.