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Music History

Resources for music history library research

Listen to Audio

Streaming via Naxos Music Library

Ball State University Libraries subscribes to an online streaming music service called Naxos Music Library.  (You may have to log in if you are off-campus.) The "Resources" section includes opera librettos and other helpful material. Type keywords into the main search box, or choose Advanced Search for better control over results:

Screen Snip of the Naxos Music Library Main page, including a search box near the top and link to Advanced Search, which is circled.Screen snip of Naxos Music Library advanced search, with Bellini typed into the box labeled composer and Norma typed into the box labeled work title.Screen snip of the results page for the advanced search, showing that there are 313 results.  Each item listed shows the album cover, the composer and title, the label (publisher), category (opera) and artists.

 

 

 

Other Audio Streaming Resources

Naxos Music Library is a tremendous resource for classical music streaming, but for genres beyond Western classical music make sure to explore these other online resources. Familiar platforms like Spotify and Pandora can also be useful places to find recordings. Many artists and organizations within classical music additionally have YouTube channels, including several recommended channels listed on the Watch Video page.

Finding CDs and LPs in OneSearch

OneSearch is the Ball State Libraries' integrated discovery tool for books, articles, recordings, scores, and other library material.  It also indexes selected trustworthy online resources and incorporates subscription databases such as Academic Search Complete. On the Libraries' home page, you will see a simple search box:

Screen snip of the OneSearch search box from the Libraries main webpage.  Text reads:  "OneSearch.  Find articles, books, Music, DVDs, and more" Search terms typed into the text box are Bach Magnificat B W V 243. Beneath the text box for searching is a link for Advanced Search.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OneSearch treats all words as keywords, and it treats numbers as keywords, too!  You can narrow down your results by using the facets listed to the left of the search results.  For compact discs owned by the Ball State Libraries, use the "Library Location" category, and select "Education, Music and Media Counter."  For "Content Type," select "Music Recording,"  Click on "Locations" to find the call number to request selected CDs from the Education, Music and Media counter.

Results page for search terms Bach Magnificat B W V 243 in OneSearch, with filters on the left and check marks next to Library Catalog and for Content Type, Music Recording. The top result is to the right, showing the title, composer, date, Available (or not),  location (which is Education, Music and Media Counter), call number for the item, and a button labeled Full Text Options, including Interlibrary Loan.  Beneath he button is a link with the word "Preview.".

Playback Options for CDs and LPs

All public computers in the University Libraries have CD/DVD players. In addition, you can use standalone CD players in the reading area to the south of the books about music, in the viewing/listening booths to the north of the books about music, and you can checkout equipment from the Education, Music and Media information desk:

USB CD/DVD drive:  ER 5501, ER 5502ER 5503, ER 5506ER 5507ER 5508, ER 5509ER 5511

Apple Super Drive (CD/DVD):  ER 5512

Portable USB record player (for LPs): ER 5601

Portable CD player ("boombox") with cassette and radio:  ER 4102 and ER 4101

Headphones

Headphone adapters

"Y" adapters (for two listeners to study together)

Interlibrary Loan

Users are encouraged to search for items beyond University Libraries' catalog via RILM Abstracts of Music Literature and WorldCat. Materials not available in print or online may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Please allow up to seven days for electronic delivery and up to fourteen days for delivery of physical items.