Is there an app for that?

[Ataraxia]

What classical music related apps am I missing out on, if any? I have Spotify already. We own iPhones and an iPad.

Thanks in advance.

[nigeld]

Dave, just checking you have a Spotify premium subscription?

Premium allows you to stream at 320kbps and also to download music to your device (iPad/Pod) for listening offline.



Not an app as such, but if you haven't already, check out the BBC radio3 podcasts in the iTunes store.  If you are UK based you will also have access to the BBC iPlayer app for Radio3



Nigel

[Ataraxia]

Dave, just checking you have a Spotify premium subscription?

Premium allows you to stream at 320kbps and also to download music to your device (iPad/Pod) for listening offline.

Not an app as such, but if you haven't already, check out the BBC radio3 podcasts in the iTunes store.  If you are UK based you will also have access to the BBC iPlayer app for Radio3

I do indeed have a premium subscription, Nigel. Ten bucks a month for all that music is a no-brainer.

I am not UK-based but I will look into those podcasts. Much appreciated.

[bigshot]

I'm using Amazon Cloud Player to stream the mp3 big box bargains I got at Amazon this week. I use Remote, Yamaha AV controller and Harmony Link to control my stereo. Radio Box is great for internet radio.

It's Fine Art, not classical music, but Art Authority is the greatest app I ever got for my iPad.

[Ataraxia]

It's Fine Art, not classical music, but Art Authority is the greatest app I ever got for my iPad.

Sounds great. I'll check it out.

[KeithW]

There aren't many great classical music apps.  Naxos Music Library's app is good if you have a subscription.  Gramophone and BBC Music magazine both have iPad editions.  Naive has launched a 'My Vivaldi' app which carries some info about some of the Vivaldi Edition recordings, and sample tracks.

Some of the classical music radion stations, like WQXR have apps (theirs links to a stream of the current broadcast, playlists, on-demand programmes etc).  TuneIn - a generic radio app which is available free and at a very modest cost without adverts - is wonderful.  You can select by radio station or genre (news, classical music etc).  It also has a fun feature where you can search by composer or piece and find a station anywhere that is playing it right now.  This is aimed at pop music, of course, but is a fun diversion.  You can also find them online at http://tunein.com/

[bigshot]

Someone should do an iPad guide to classical music that pulls up commentary based on the piece playing in iTunes.

[JerryS]

I have Naxos Music Library and use the iPhone app. You can create playlists through the web browser interface on your computer and then access the playlists through the app. The app has Airplay built in, so I can easily send the audio to my stereo system, which is connected to an Airport Express. There is no downloading for offline access.

I have Sirius radio in my car and extended the subscription to include Internet access. This includes use of the iPhone app. SiriusXM has three classical channels: Met Opera, Pops, and Classical (extended multi-movement works). It works as expected and you have the added convenience of going to the beginning of the selection already playing. I also enjoy the vintage radio programs on Sirius (Radio Classics channel).

I've been tempted to go Premium with Spotify, but since I already have NML it might be too much of a good thing!

[Ataraxia]

On Spotify you get Naxos PLUS everything else.

[JerryS]

On Spotify you get Naxos PLUS everything else.

There's a $20 annual subscription to Naxos.com which includes streaming of only Naxos titles and doesn't have any phone app access. Naxos Music Library is their premium service with the full catalogs of many major labels (EMI, BIS, Erato, Teldec, Chandos, etc.) as well as many smaller mostly classical labels. I'm not sure how much overlap there is between NML and Spotify. Spotify has DG, for example, which is not in NML.

[Ataraxia]

There's a $20 annual subscription to Naxos.com which includes streaming of only Naxos titles and doesn't have any phone app access. Naxos Music Library is their premium service with the full catalogs of many major labels (EMI, BIS, Erato, Teldec, Chandos, etc.) as well as many smaller mostly classical labels. I'm not sure how much overlap there is between NML and Spotify. Spotify has DG, for example, which is not in NML.

Ah! I've learnt something.

[KeithW]

Those who have institutional access to NML - typically university staff and students whose library has a license to the NML platform - can create playlists on the university's account (by creating a personal folder).  They can then download the NML app at no cost, and access the playlists they treated on campus again at no cost. The NML app has full instructions in the FAQ section.

[Zizekian]

It's Fine Art, not classical music, but Art Authority is the greatest app I ever got for my iPad.

This is one of my favorite apps for the iPad!

[Zizekian]

I wanted to sign up for a Spotify account after reading about it in this and other threads, but I can't seem to find a way to create an account without a Facebook account. I quit Facebook over a year ago and I refuse to sign up for a new account because I want to see the company fail. Is there any other way I can use Spotify?

[Ataraxia]

I wanted to sign up for a Spotify account after reading about it in this and other threads, but I can't seem to find a way to create an account without a Facebook account. I quit Facebook over a year ago and I refuse to sign up for a new account because I want to see the company fail. Is there any other way I can use Spotify?

Just googled this quickly...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20112335-501465.html

[Zizekian]

Just googled this quickly...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20112335-501465.html

Thanks, but this way still requires you to create a "dummy account" which I don't want to do.

[Johnll]

MOG did require a Facebook account, but apparently that is no longer the case.

http://feedback.mog.com/forums/50607-feature-suggestions/suggestions/2282522-do-not-require-a-facebook-account-to-sign-up-for-m

[Zizekian]

MOG did require a Facebook account, but apparently that is no longer the case.

http://feedback.mog.com/forums/50607-feature-suggestions/suggestions/2282522-do-not-require-a-facebook-account-to-sign-up-for-m

Thanks! Is MOG worth the money? I haven't heard of it before.

[Ataraxia]

...and is it available in the US?

[Johnll]

MOG is available in the US and is certainly worth the money. Last fall I compared the two and selected MOG over Spotify mainly on sound quality. The might be reversed today. MOG claims to have 16 million songs. The negative to MOG is their search engine for classical is poor and requires persistence.