Apple Music Classical Now Available for Pre-Order on the App Store, Launches Later This Month

[iamgalt]

I have to ask: Why do you need an Apple Music sub for this? This is just classical music, music that is free since classical music is public domain. So why should you need a subscription just to listen to public domain music you can get for free from archive.org?

A particular piece of music may be in the public domain, but a recording of that piece by the London Symphony Orchestra is owned by the London Symphony Orchestra. Anyone can record the piece of music, but they can't use the London Symphony's recording of it without their permission. And with classical music, people may want to hear a particular orchestra's version of it over another's, hence the subscription.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

It's too bad because at this point I almost exclusively stream music on my Mac, not on my phone. I'll download it to try it out but hopefully there will be a macOS release forthcoming.

The Apple Music app for macOS is far behind the iOS version. It does sometimes feel like they're ignoring their Mac apps.

 

[William Gates]

I have to ask: Why do you need an Apple Music sub for this? This is just classical music, music that is free since classical music is public domain. So why should you need a subscription just to listen to public domain music you can get for free from archive.org?

The compositions are public domain, but the performances and recordings are not.

 

[Think77]

This is about as exciting as wet paint.

I could actually be excited (depends on preferences), but the bigger problem is: how do I stream it to my dedicated stereo, a NAD C700 with BluOS? It runs all sorts of streaming services natively, but Apple Music is always limited to airplay, which is unstable and requires a phone or iPad as a middleman - as opposed to Spotify Connect or other similar technologies that streams the music directly-to-device.

 

[William Gates]

For the target audience it’s awesome. Apple didn’t do this for you, apparently.

Exactly. I've been lusting for this ever since they made the acquisition.

 

[Kylo83]

Searching for classical pieces is way different than for modern music, with composers being much more important, more artists per piece (with solists) and other numbering compared to albums. Plus it also has it's own coding system with certain codes meaning certain pieces of music. Cluttering the normal music app to get all that in a coherent system is not really feasible.

But why not put this in the main app

 

[farleysmaster]

No it’s not, and there have been numerous articles and statements explaining why there is a need for a separate app.

Every time this is posted we get these responses. If people don't want the app, don't download it!

 

[krebphone]

But why not put this in the main app

Where would they put it?

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I could actually be excited (depends on preferences), but the bigger problem is: how do I stream it to my dedicated stereo, a NAD C700 with BluOS? It runs all sorts of streaming services natively, but Apple Music is always limited to airplay, which is unstable and requires a phone or iPad as a middleman - as opposed to Spotify Connect or other similar technologies that streams the music directly-to-device.

Yes, that is part of the reason why I use Qobuz as my main streaming service, because of Roon support. I don't think Apple Music will be supported by other apps and streaming devices. Apple wants you to use their own protocol.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Where would they put it?

A Classical tab? Or just integrate better classical metadata into the app?

 

[BJMRamage]

It seemed odd to have a separate app but then I thought not just how Classical music has many renditions for the same pieces and has a unique feeling depending on the orchestra..

..the bigger thing to me is to keep "other genres" from encroaching on your listening. so many times I start playing a single song and expect to have more songs along that 'feeling' or similar artists and then Apple Music tosses in Country, R&B, HipHop, into a mix. I am not sure how many times I need to hit "play less of this" for Apple Music to actually STOP playing that song/artist.

 

[macsplusmacs]

Why do I need a DIFFERNT APPP FOR MY OZZZY OSBORNE THEN MY BEETHOVEN?????????????????? WHY!!!!??????????

 

[wwinter86]

Why?! Don’t get it! Classical is or was in the Apple Music app. What next a separate Rock app and a separate blues app?!

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

The compositions are public domain, but the performances and recordings are not.

But the performances and recordings are public domain as well. You can get them right now on Archive.org

 

[farleysmaster]

I’m surprised that this is not included as part of Apple Music.

It is.

If it's going to be iOS-only, it's doomed.

It isn't.

 

[75Batt]

If it’s actually going to be available March 28, that makes me wonder if we’re going to get an event and 16.4RC the week before on the 21st or 22nd

Then why wouldn’t they have announced the app then?

 

[tubular]

Well, in the words of Handel, halleluyah.

 

[djomaha]

I want Apple to update the Apple Music Classic App icon. Retro style, something like this maybe? The new icon is too modern for this App. Not so classical! 🎵🎼

One too many staff lines...

 

[unfunfionn]

This is great and I'm really excited to use it. Yes, I wish the Apple Music app itself was capable enough to present Classical music properly, but so be it. There's definitely room for improvement with most other genres though, where it would be nice to see lists of the musicians involved in a certain recording and be able to tap their names to find other recordings that feature them. This would be so useful for famous session musicians or pretty much any Jazz record.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

So. Do I need a subscription to AM or can I play my own music too?

 

[erikkfi]

I hate the basic Apple Music experience but I really applaud the decision to break out different types of content into discrete apps. Spotify's new app is an abomination.

 

[Mantahoe]

For the target audience it’s awesome. Apple didn’t do this for you, apparently.

Logged in to like and reply to your comment. Thank you citizen.

 

[Billrey]

I don't really understand why this has to be a separate app. What if someone likes both classical music and modern music? Do they have to jump between apps then?

 

[kyjaotkb]

I see a lot of relatively ignorant comments in here from people who either
(i) have never tried listening to classical music on Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music, Tidal, YouTube Music or any of the main apps.
(ii) have never used Primephonic.
(iii) have no idea how classical music is organized in works and movements, and which kinds of artists are involved: composers, arrangers, ensembles, soloists, conductors...

The "artist/album/track" paradigm does not work at all for classical music. Only three streaming services ever tried to address classical: Primephonic, Idagio and Qobuz.

As a music person, I think it is very good news that Apple is putting resources towards a well-organized music app for classical listeners. It also doesn't diminish in any way the experience for non-classical listeners. The difference in the way music is organized between classical and "popular" music is such that I think it is the right think to separate those experiences in two different apps. A previous user of Primephonic myself, I look forward to this.

 

[tubular]

Why?! Don’t get it! Classical is or was in the Apple Music app. What next a separate Rock app and a separate blues app?!

Sigh.

Because finding classical works on Apple Music app is an excruciating nightmare. Take my twenty years of experience trying it as your teacher. Playing music is one thing. Finding it is another -- and on Apple Music finding specific classical works couldn't be worse.