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Database entries for classical music

Posted by John C. - Aussie (A) on January 27, 2016 at 13:54:12

Most of the discussion below is centered on descriptions of albums in a server but applies generally to database entries for classical music. It also applies to how classical recordings are classified and sorted out on shelves.

Databases for recordings are focussed on popular music and artist names - a sensible approach. However that poses challenges for classical collections where although the artist is very important, the composer and his/her work is of equal note.

My experience is limited to the Meridian Sooloos server system and there could be newer and better systems around now but I remain challenged about the best album description.

With many albums having a variety of artists, even conductors and orchestras involved, I do a cop out and merely list "A - Various" under the artist slot. The advantage is that it is succinct and easily displayed on portable devices where a long list of names would not be seen anyway. But the obvious disadvantage is that any search for a particular artist, say a singer in an opera, is unavailable. The Meridian system does have a database of artists but the system does not always automatically make entries and manual entry is tedious and one I've avoided so far.

With concentration on "Artists" one is next faced with decisions about entries for concertos. Automatic entries do not always feature the pianist/violinist etc first and often give pride of place to the conductor, something I disagree with. So I'm going through the collection and making sure the primary and first nominated artist is the soloist involved.

The other editing is with orchestras. I've come to the conclusion that generally those are not so important so, the general entry for orchestral works now merely mentions the conductor. This cuts down on multiple artist entries where most conductors are at the helm of a number of different orchestras.

Internet automatic entries can be wildly incorrect, sometimes displaying Beethoven or other composers as the artist and sometimes completely wrong in the disc detection. Editing all this data can end up a hobby in itself.

Sorting out discs on shelves is less demanding but can pose problems. I have sold all my LPs and CDs but still have a number of LDs, DVDs & BDs that are sorted differently according to type. Operas & choral works are put in order of composer but ballets are put in order of title. Videos featuring artists are put in alphabetical order of the artist but after that the rot sets in. How best to classify videos of multiple artists, concerts involving works of multiple composers and even multiple artists? My cop out there is to heap them together under "Miscellaneous" but that is not terribly helpful as it then becomes challenging to find what you want.

So, your thoughts on the above? How do you classify items?

John




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