Apple recently launched its new standalone music streaming application, the Apple Music Classical app, which is specifically designed for classical music lovers. This new development is to cater to the demands of classical music enthusiasts who find it challenging to navigate and discover classical music on other streaming platforms adequately.
Apple’s Approach to Classical Music
Apple’s approach is revolutionary as they purchased Primephonic, a classical-only music streaming service renowned for its unique features, and integrated it into Apple Music. This acquisition allows the app to boast of having the world’s most extensive classical music library with over 500 albums—making it one of the most extensive assortments in the world.
Apple Music has partnered with several prominent institutions such as Deutsche Grammophon and Universal Music Group to add more classical compilations and recordings. The app offers hundreds of playlists, historical composer biographies, and exclusive browse features that cater to both classical music experts and beginners.
Innovative Audio Encoding
One of the most notable features of the Apple Music Classical app is its innovative audio encoding. The app provides a sound experience that caters to classical enthusiasts’ needs with up to 192 kHz/24 Bit Hi-Res Lossless audio quality in immersive spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. This feature makes it stand out among other audio streaming services.
In addition, the app adds new albums every week in its Spatial Audio catalog. It was also pointed out that there’s lots of stuff in lossless and hires on the app, but they have no way to play it back in anything but mid-res (Sonos and AirPod Pros do not support hi-res with the app).
Technical Challenges Faced
The success of this app hinges on resolving technical issues that deal with complicated metadata for classical music. Classical music possesses a variety of identifying factors beyond artist, album, and song, which include composer, conductor, performer, dates, and other descriptors. As a result, the app has improved browsing and search capabilities that allow users to navigate based on composers and detailed displays of classical music metadata.
App Availability
The Apple Music Classical app is now available on the App Store for Apple Music subscribers at no additional cost. The app caters to subscribers worldwide, excluding some countries, with varying available features and content. Unfortunately, the app is not available with Apple Music Voice Plan.
A Review of the App
Reviews of the app have been mostly positive, with some criticisms about its functionality. Some users believe that the app is similar to a skin on a subset of Apple Music. A user’s first test of the search bar function did not inspire confidence as it listed the composer’s other symphonies instead of the desired one when searching for “Beethoven Symphony 2.”
One reviewer who subscribed to Idagio found it to be an excellent option for classical music because of its more user-friendly search functionalities and its feature that provides liner notes and libretti for new recordings in PDF format. They found it disappointing that recently released recordings of Turandot and Platée from Vienna on the Apple Classical app didn’t have liner notes or libretti.
Growing Popularity of Classical Music
According to a report by Epidemic Sound, there is a growing trend towards the consumption of classical music among young people. This trend has been reflected in recent movies, events, and announcements that demonstrate how classical music is becoming newly cool.
Competition between Streaming Services
The launch of this app could potentially create stiff competition between streaming services such as STAGE+, a high-res classical music streaming service by Deutsche Grammophon that offers video streaming alongside audio streaming.
In conclusion, the new Apple Music Classical app offers innovative features that cater to classical music enthusiasts’ needs while attempting to solve the technical problems related to classical music metadata. Its audio encoding, new album releases and partnerships with well renowned classical music institutions is setting it apart from the competition. While there are still some reservations about its functionality, users are generally satisfied with its unique features and extensive classical music library.
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