Sites for Classical Music

Specialty sites for less common genres

One problem with music download sites in general is that they're largely geared to the mainstream tastes of those who use these services, mainly young adults ranging in age from 15 to 30. That's why the latest top-40 hits will instantly be available on every music download website, while you may have a hard time scrounging up even one acceptable rendition of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony or a particular Thelonious Monk track. Reviewers say iTunes has improved its classical music selection, adding exclusive performances from the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Reviewers say you can find an excellent selection of indie music at iTunes, in addition to more mainstream titles. Jazz and world music is also well represented. AmazonMP3 also offers a large selection of indie, classical and jazz tracks.

There are, however, a few sites devoted to classical music. ClassicalOnline.com received the 2010 Classical Download Award by the MIDEM Classical Awards Jury in Cannes, France. ClassicalOnline.com has a catalog of over a half million tracks (*Est. 99 cents each) and features classical, classical jazz, blues, folk and world music. Tracks are downloaded at 320 kbps and are compatible with all MP3 players and iPod/iPhones. ClassicalOnline.com does not offer a subscription service.

In its November 2006 roundup of eight music sites, U.K.-based Which? magazine included two services devoted to classical music, eClassical.com and Classical.com. Classical.com, the bigger of the two, features over 350,000 recordings -- the majority of them classical, but also some world and jazz music. A basic subscription (*Est. $12 per month) gets you unlimited listening on a PC from their catalog, plus eight downloads. Clearly, this site doesn't have the multi-million-track breadth of Napster or iTunes, but it looks like a good deal if you're a fan of classical or jazz music.