The music download revolution may be underway for pop music, with iTunes reigning as the world?s largest retailer; however, classical music continues to lag behind.
What are the reasons for this lag? One is the confusing mass of recordings in the genre in which one work might be recorded in hundreds of different versions. Add to this the lack of general knowledge about classical works themselves, and it can all seem dizzying, even off-putting, to any newcomer.
Gramophone, the world?s most influential classical music magazine, will change all that with a new web site that promises to transform the classical music industry.
The magazine, started in 1923, recently announced its bold two-stage plan.
Firstly, by early September every word ever printed in Gramophone will be available, free of charge, as a fully searchable online archive: hundreds of thousands of reviews, articles and interviews ? by far the biggest classical music archive of its kind. It will provide an invaluable guide to the world of classical music: recommending recordings, offering information on works, composers and performers, and featuring articles written by some of the greatest names in music history ? from Stravinsky to Simon Rattle.
In January 2009, completing the web site launch, the archive will be linked to a full download and online mail order service, as well as to a ticket-selling facility for live concerts and operas.
A visitor to the new Gramophone site will be able to search for a work in which they are interested, read recording recommendations and find out about the performers on them, and listen to extracts from those recordings ? all before deciding whether and what to purchase. It will be, in effect, the perfect online interactive salesperson, there to guide newcomers and aficionados alike.
The classical music industry fully supports this ambitious plan. Gramophone has enjoyed relationships with the recording companies ? from the small, indy labels to the industry leaders ? for many years; there?s a consensus amongst those label heads and industry insiders that Gramophone?s new web site is just what classical music needs to achieve its huge online potential ? in terms of both information and sales.
Musicians too have welcomed the news. Violinist Nicola Benedetti commented ?Gramophone magazine is the oracle for most of the classical music world; the idea of it turning its focus to creating an online resource for anybody interested in classical music will be a unique event for classical music in our time.? Star conductor Marin Alsop adds: ?I?m very excited by Gramophone?s new site and feel it will give both newcomers and regulars to classical music an invaluable guide to making informed purchases. Gramophone has always been a leader in its field and a peerless resource for people looking to access quality recordings.?
Gramophone?s editor, James Inverne, commented: ?The world of classical music is an incredibly exciting one, but it can be difficult for newcomers to find their way around. We are delighted to provide a definitive web resource that will guide them to some of the very best music ever composed.?
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Louise Barder
21C Media Group
162 W. 56th Street, Suite 506
New York, NY 10019
(212) 245 2110 ext. 202