UK: Classical download store launches

[arkitect]

Finally a choice beyond iTunes' dismall classical offerings…

DRM-free Flac and 320kbps MP3s as well! :D

For now only available in the UK. Unfortunately the site crashed under demand this morning. Pity they chose such a crappy name though. Passionato (http://www.passionato.com). :p :o

BBC Link. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7608442.stm)

Classical music lovers in the UK will now be able to download their favourite works from the web, thanks to a new resource launched today.

Passionato is providing the world's biggest collection of high-quality classical downloads, first in the UK and later worldwide.

The company says more than 18,000 recordings are available.

Many fans of classical music have previously shunned MP3 downloads because of disappointing quality.

Passionato offers its downloads - single tracks, works or albums - at high-quality 320kbps MP3 or lossless FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec).

[BoyBach]

I've been trying to access the site all morning and all I'm getting is...

"Thank you for visiting the Passionato website. Due to the extreme popularity of the website following our launch this morning, we are experiencing a few technical problems. We are workingto resolve these. Full service will be restored as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience."

... which is proving to be bloody annoying!

[arkitect]

... which is proving to be bloody annoying!

Very! My credit card is burning a bigger and bigger hole in my wallet…

Let me at the goodies.
:D:D

[Loge]

This looks promising - I will try it out tonight. Plus you get 10 free tracks including a 30 minute one. :D

[arkitect]

This looks promising - I will try it out tonight. Plus you get 10 free tracks including a 30 minute one. :D

Just managed to register and downloaded a few of the free tracks already.

So far so good.
:)

[Loge]

Good time for classical -

I notice they now have a classical music sale at iTunes. Many albums at £5 until September 30.

[Scepticalscribe]

What a fantastic idea; has anyone any idea when this wonderful site might spread beyond the shores of the larger of the two isles in this region? I look forward to sampling its wares in due course.
Cheers

[sachs]

Hi everybody!!!!!!!!!!
It's very good to have a store like that, but it's really a pitty that there are no downloads for abroad collectors. It would be a sample of generosity if fellow collectors inside the UK could ask for starting that so interesting possibility. Greetings again and many thanks.:)

[Scepticalscribe]

Hi everybody!!!!!!!!!!
It's very good to have a store like that, but it's really a pitty that there are no downloads for abroad collectors. It would be a sample of generosity if fellow collectors inside the UK could ask for starting that so interesting possibility. Greetings again and many thanks.:)

Thank you for that, sachs. An excellent idea. I couldn't agree more; over to you in the Ancient Saxon Isle, to plead the case for wider availability of this wonderful idea.
Cheers

[Beric]

Lucky U.K. residents. :( And 320 mbps quality! :eek:

Finding any decent Classical in the U.S. is a big challenge. CD's are way too expensive to just rip once, and MP3's online tend to be low-quality.

[sachs]

Since a while we are again having troubles in Post Office, where "new" people are robbing as in the sixties. When they have already opened the classical music parcel they trash it. Then, downloads is a wonder. I have already downloaded several very nice pieces from Classiconline, but there are other labels too. Fortunately DGG has no restrictions. If somebody could be interested in the famous DGG Die schöne Müllerin by Fischer-Dieskau/Demus, it's available again as download from there. Many thanks again for your welcome and kindness.

Thank you for that, sachs. An excellent idea. I couldn't agree more; over to you in the Ancient Saxon Isle, to plead the case for wider availability of this wonderful idea.
Cheers