General notes for classical music

General rules of style are still applied in Classical music releases. Nevertheless, there are some extra considerations that must be noted for this kind of releases:

1. Distribution for iTunes is not allowed generally. However, we allow to distribute contents for this channel for users and artists whose compositions are of their own. Contact our Support Team for further information regarding this question. The rest of the channels are available for a regular distribution.

2. Accuracy in the metadata. Metadata must be expressed with extreme precision, accuracy and consistency all along the release, especially regarding standard repertoires of Classical music. The use of formulas, abbreviations, numbers and specific expressions must be expressed strictly and consistently following the official titles of the pieces. We recommend to use IMSLP fo this purpose.

3. IMSLP. As a general rule, we use IMSLP as a source for metadata of Classical Music. The information provided here about the name of the composers and the titles of the compositions is the one that will be used as a standard.

• If the content is not featured in this catalogue, please, check previous versions of this work in the channels and try to adapt the titles following our rules.
• If the content cannot be found anywhere and you have doubts about the expression of the titles, please, contact our Support Team.

4. Language. The use of the language at the album level must be the one of the titles. Although there can be variations of the language depending on each case, English is normally used as the standard language for the official titles of the Classical compositions. We recommend as long as it is possible to prioritize the use of this language among the others. Language at the track level must be the one of the audio. We remind you that instrumental tracks must be marked as “no linguistic content” at each track level.

• Capitalization of titles which include many languages. The capitalization of each part of the title must respect the capitalization rules included in this Style Guide regarding languages. If – for example – a title includes a part of it in English and another part in Italian – such as tempi, dynamics etc. -, each part must be written with its corresponding language rules. For further information, please, check “Language requirements”.
• Album level considerations

1. Primary artists. Ensembles, choirs, soloists and orchestras can be primary artists. A conductor can be a primary artist too as long as he is also the composer of the pieces. Please, do not include composers as primary artists unless the specified genre is “Classical/Modern Compositions”. Unless composers have a participant role in a release they cannot be mentioned as primary artists, neither the rest of the given roles but composer.

2. Composers. It is mandatory to indicate at least one composer at the album level. If there are four or more composers at the album level, it is mandatory to use the expression “Various Composers”. Please, do not use this tag at the track level neither in non-Classical releases.

3. Titles. Titles of the albums must follow the following formula:

Surname(s) of the composer(s): Name(s) of the piece(s) [or] Name of the release

Casals: Easy ClassicaSee some examples below:

• Rossini: Ouvertures
• Mozart: The Complete Piano Concertos

If there are four or more composers, composers must not be indicated in the title of the release, neither the titles of the pieces included. In those cases, it is highly recommendable to use an original title.

• Track level considerations

1. Composers. It is mandatory to indicate a composer for each piece. If the release features an only composer, the name of this composer must not be indicated in the title of the track. If there are two or more, the surname(s) of the composer(s) must be introduced at the beginning of the title. If the composer of the piece is unknown, please, indicate as a composer “Anonymous” – this name can be adapted depending on the language of the metadata. It is also mandatory to indicate the expression “Anonymous” at the start of the title if there are two or more composers in the release.

2. Titles. Titles should follow the following formula; please, notice this formula is a standard and its application will depend on each specific case. If the official title does not include some of these tags do not include them. Try to adapt this formula as much as it is possible respecting the essence of the original piece:

Surname(s) of the composer(s): Official name of the piece, Genre of the piece [and/or] Key of the piece, Catalogue number [or] Opus: Number of the movement. Name of the movement [and/or] Dynamics of the movement

Bach: Fantasia and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 562See some examples below:

• Schoenberg: Ode to Napoleon Bounaparte
• Albéniz: España, Op. 165: III. Malagueña

Please, keep in mind the following considerations:

• The use of this formula is meant to be used for standard Classical repertoires. The application of this is more flexible in Modern and Contemporary compositions.
• It is important that the use of the numbers, abbreviations and slang – such as “Arr.”, “Op.”, “BWV” etc. – remains consistent all along the release. Please, keep in mind it is the same for European – Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si – and American – C, D, E, F, G, A, B – notation systems.
• Please, in case the use of “flat” and “sharp” is mandatory in the use of the piece, write down the word instead of their symbols – “♭” and “#”.
• Even if the tonality of a piece is minor, please, write down the word with the first letter in capital letters – “Minor” instead of “minor”. Language rules are applied the same way in all the releases.
• Instrumental pieces still have to include the tag “no linguistic content” at the language field of each track – if it is required.

About arrangements, variations and hommages:

1. Arrangements. If an arrangement of a preexisting piece is done, it must be indicated as an arrangement at the track version level and define which instrument(s) execute it.

2. Arrangers. Besides the fact they are performers or not, arrangers must be mentioned as composers. That means that, in case it is required, they must have that role at both album and track level keeping in mind all the previous mentioned rules about composers.

3. Variations. Unless the original piece is by itself a variation, variations done by the own artist must be named at the track version level.

4. Tributes. Hommages are allowed only for Classical music and its subgenres.

有帮助吗？

Loading...