LibGuides: Conducting: Recordings

Jump to: Streaming Audio & Video | Hardcopy Recordings

Streaming Audio & Video

Library Audio Databases

Naxos Music Library This link opens in a new window
Our largest classical music database.
DRAM This link opens in a new window
Primarily American composers and artists, including lesser known works.
Jazz Music Library This link opens in a new window
Over 66,000 albums in all jazz styles.
Smithsonian Global Sound This link opens in a new window
Traditional and popular music from around the world.

More Online Music Resources

IMSLP
Tens of thousands of scores and recordings in the public domain.
Musopen
Recordings, sheet music, and other educational materials, without copyright restrictions.

See our related guides for more online music resources:

Music Scores Online
by Lisa Read Last Updated Jan 2, 2024 128 views this year
Streaming Audio & Video
by Lisa Read Last Updated Oct 3, 2023 29 views this year

Library Video Databases

Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall This link opens in a new window
Concerts, documentaries, and interviews in high definition. Create a free account on your first visit. Access limited to 1 user at a time.
Dance in Video This link opens in a new window
Hundreds of performances, interviews, documentaries, and instructional videos covering ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, experimental, improvisational, and more.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive This link opens in a new window
Full-length videos from the Jacob's Pillow Dance festival. Includes interviews and performances by top dancers and companies in almost all dance styles.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Stream This link opens in a new window
Videos, interviews, and more from the Jacob's Pillow dance festival.

Hardcopy Recordings

Find Scores and Recordings

In the Allen Library

Open the library catalog.
Search the title and composer's name.
Limit to the format you desire.
Find a result for the piece you need.
Use the location and call number to find the item.

Image: Catalog search with the format limited to Printed Music, and search result showing location and call number.

Online

Can't visit the library? Use our guides to Music Scores Online or Streaming Audio & Video to find online score & recording sites, then search for the piece you need.

Get help

Searching for music can be tricky! If you can't find what you need, ask a librarian for help.

Browse the Shelves

Browsing is a great way to discover new music if you don't have a specific piece in mind!
In the Allen Library, the first letters of the call number indicate format:

Call Number Letters	Format
MD	CDs
MR	LPs (records)
MO	DVDs
MV	VHS tapes

The following numbers indicate genre. Combine the letters above with the numbers below to browse for recordings.
Example:
MD1500—Opera CDs
MO1500—Opera DVDs

Call Number	Genre
6 – 990 6 – 175 180 – 299 300s 400s, 500s... 900s	Solo and chamber ensembles Solos Duets Trios Quartets, quintets...through nonets
1000 – 1075 1001 1005 – 1042	Orchestra Symphonies Concertos
1100 – 1160 1101 1105 – 1142	String orchestra Symphonies Concertos
1200 – 1270	Band
1470 – 1473	Chance & electronic music
1497 – 1998 1500 – 1508 1530 – 1610	Secular vocal Operas & musicals Choral
1999 – 2199 2000 – 2007 2010 – 2017 2020 – 2101	Sacred vocal Oratorios Church services (e.g. Masses) Choral

This is just a general outline of the many call numbers in the library! Ask a librarian for help finding more.

Listening & Viewing Equipment

Come to the Allen Library! Our listening carrels and listening/viewing rooms can play:

CDs, LPs, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes
DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS tapes
Your devices via Bluetooth, VGA, HDMI, AUX cable, Apple TV

Equipment is generally first-come, first-served, but rooms may be reserved for certain uses. Contact us (860.768.4840) for more information.