Monday, April 21, 2014

MARC .XML Records Now Available as Batch Files

Hello friends,

Naxos Music Library now has MARC .XML records available as batch files, which will help speed up the processing of files for many institutions. These files are available in batches by both the month and the year, allowing you the ability to efficiently process just what you need to update your records.

Download Links

Have any questions or suggestions regarding these batch files? Just let us know! We are always striving to improve the delivery of our MARC .XML content, and your input is greatly valued. 

MARCly yours,
Dan
Naxos Music Library

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Naxos Music Library Introduces New Media Player



Naxos Music Library is excited to announce the  release of a brand new media player! Here she is: (drum roll please...)


Created in HTML5, this new player sidesteps limitations of the old Flash player and makes room for further growth in the future. So aside from the sleek new design, what exactly does the new player offer?
1. More mobile accessibility. HTML5 cooperates far better with mobile devices than Flash does. Is a mobile app not yet available for your tablet or phone? For most users, this new player will work through your main mobile internet connection—no app needed! Simply log in and access music on your mobile internet browser just as you would on your computer.

2. More track information. The HTML5 player displays more information for each track, allowing you to find just the one you need. This is especially helpful when streaming, say, a disc or playlist full of Vivaldi works where half the tracks are simply titled “Allegro.” Now track lists in the player will include the rest of the work title so you can quickly identify which of those Allegros is THE Allegro.

3. More flexibility in player size. Previously, the player stayed the same size no matter how you expanded the window. Now, the player design adjusts to better fit the size of the window.
The dirty details: Our new HTML5 player is supported in the following browser versions.  If you're not seeing the new player, it's likely you're running an older version of your browser.  A quick update should allow you to enjoy NML's new experience right away!
  • Windows XP, Vista 7, 8
    • IE 9.0 +
    • Firefox: 21.0 +
    • Chrome: 31.0 +
  • OS X 10.6+
    • Safari: 5 +
    • Firefox: 21.0 +
    • Chrome: 31.0 +
  • iOS 4.0+
    • Safari: Recent versions
    • Chrome: Recent versions
  • Android 3.0+
    • Default browser ("Internet"): Recent versions
    • Chrome: Recent versions
    • Firefox: Recent versions

Happier-than-ever listening!

Friday, January 17, 2014

MARC. XML Records Update - Q4 2013

The Naxos Music Library team is pleased to provide the next update to the NML MARC.XML file!  Based on the wonderful feedback from Lisa Peddey and others throughout the world, we've made some improvements to the records.  The full change-log appears below.




Naxos Music Library - MARC.XML Segmented by Month
One noteworthy change in data delivery is the way the records are now sorted.  Previously, the records were delivered by year.  Now, we're packaging the records by month by year.  This allows for easy catch-up or updating should you miss a portion of the files. 

Remember, each update arrives quarterly, so if you updated your records in October 2013, you'll want to import only the October, November, and December 2013 folders. 

Have specific questions not answered here, or feedback for a better experience?  Don't hesitate to contact us anytime!

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MARC.XML Change-log
January 15, 2014

Added to All Records

260 – Added location and name of publisher

500 – Noted the media delivery mechanism (streaming music)
506 – Noted access restrictions (where applicable)
538 - Added mode of access
710 – Added corporate name

Added to Records Where Applicable
260 - $c  - Date of physical album release added if provided.  Any approximations are noted in square brackets
490 - $a – Denoted “NML” or “NML-Jazz”
700 - $a $c – Noted appropriate composer, performer, arranger, etc.

Removed or Changed For All Records
006 – Removed
007 – Removed
008 – Clarified field data
040 – Recoded
300 – Recoded

Modified or Adapted for All Records
UTF encoding changed from “utf=16” to “utf=8”
505 - $a – Added work timing information, adjusted data formatting
511 - $a – Entries with no attributed performer were corrected
700 - $a – Entries with no attributed person were corrected
803 - $a – Removed, replaced with 490 field
856 – White space/New line removed
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Additional information about the MARC.XML project can be found anytime in our previous post.

Happy Updating!
Nick

Nick D'Angiolillo
Manager, Naxos Online Libraries
Naxos of America, Inc.
615.465.3836 (direct)
Nick@NaxosUSA.com

Join in the conversation!







Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Changes and Updates to Naxos MARC.XML - Updated 10.23.13

Since the launch of the complete Naxos Music Library and Naxos Music Library-Jazz MARC.xml, we've received some great feedback!  Below I've provided a change-log, as well as some screenshots.  These changes were made to allow for the .XML to be batch (and singly) imported into MarcEdit easier.

The URL's for download have been updated, and are included below, as well as on our previous blog post.

Download Links

Previous .xml will reference utf-16 encoding, and not include any style schema
Previous .xml will include extra white space, thus creating a new line in some cases.  We've removed this to allow for ease of import via MarcEdit

We added some .xml schema specifications, and altered the UTF encoding from utf-16 to utf-8


We updated the 856 field and removed the white space causing a newline (error) in some cases

Changelog 

1. "utf=16", changed to "utf=8"
2.  Added -  <... xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/MARC21/slim http://www.loc.gov/standards/marcxml/schema/MARC21slim.xsd">
3. White space/Newline removed from 856 field



Batch Conversion of (Naxos) .xml to .mrc
We've also had folks inquire about the general process for "batch conversion of MARC .xml to .mrc. The process for that, as it pertains to the Naxos MARC .xml, is included below with screenshots.  
 


While we at Naxos excel at many things, the use and intricacies of MarcEdit are not among them.  If you have specific MarcEdit function questions, you are best served directing them to the appropriate party/parties.



In MarcEdit's "MARC Tools" module:
1.  Click Tools, then Batch Process Records


This process may differ depending on the version of MarcEdit you have installed.  For further information, consult the MarcEdit help section.












  
 
2. Find and select the folder that contains the entire .xml for import.  In my example to the right, the file is titled "Small Sample". 

Your filename will likely be "NML-MARC-XML-US" - or something very similar. 

Lastly - be sure to enter ".xml", without the quotes,  in the File Types box.



3. Select the function you're interested in having MarcEdit perform. 

In our case, it's "MARCXML to MARC".

Once complete, your screen should look similar to the one to the left.







4. Viola!  You should now see a folder titled "processed_files" in either your specified location, or within the previous folder selected.   

If your conversion was successful, not only will you receive a confirmation from MarcEdit, but also the files should look similar to the right.  Again, I used a small sub-section of the records for our purposes here.

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Special Thanks:
As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to contact us anytime. 

Here's to many successful conversions!
Nick

Nick D'Angiolillo
Manager, Naxos Online Libraries
Naxos of America, Inc.
615.465.3836 (direct)
Nick@NaxosUSA.com

Join in the conversation!





Tuesday, October 15, 2013

MARC .XML Now Available for Naxos Music Library Subscribers


We're happy to announce that a complete set of Naxos Music Library and Naxos Music Library-Jazz MARC.XML records are now available!  The links for download and a plethora of information are below.  Please save this message for future reference, as it contains answers to most the common questions we've received in the past.

Download Links

Naxos Music Library
Naxos Music Library-Jazz

The data is complete and up-to-date as of October 1, 2013.  Going forward, these links will be updated quarterly, so be sure to check back shortly after January 15, 2014 for the next update!  We'll also send out a notice that the records/links have been updated.

What format are the records in?
The above links provide standard MARC.XML (MARC21) data.  This data can be ingested directly into most catalog systems without issue.  The records are made available on an "as-is" basis, and as an end user you or your colleagues are free to make any changes to the data, records, fields, and/or presentation as you see fit, locally. 

Above is a small sample of a record. 
Download the full batch above to evaluate the complete records for yourself!


MARC 21 XML General Information
*Note that portions of the LOC website may be unavailable or will not be updated during the U.S. Government appropriations shutdown (as of Oct. 1, 2013).

What should the data look like when extracted?
The files extract into year-based folders.  Each year includes the files/data for albums made available in NML that year.
This is how the files should appear, after successful extraction.
Record Count - As of October 1, 2013
Naxos Music Library - 62,342
Naxos Music Library - Jazz - 7,132

Why don't the record counts match the disc counts on the site?
The disc counts on NML are just that - disc counts!  Since the MARC.XML are generated based on catalog ID, some of which contain multiple discs, you may see some discrepancy in the numbers between the site's "disc counts" and the number of records.  This is normal and intended - rest assured that all discs are accounted for.

Does the 856 field need to be updated?
No!  Unlike previous incarnations, this data set deploys some long-awaited technology.  The URL included in the MARC files will now automatically detect the account with which you're associated (based on your IP address) and transform the link correctly.  This is a great opportunity to ensure you've got the most up to date IP information in our system!  Contact us to ensure everything is on file correctly.

Should you wish to customize the URL to include specific proxy information, you only need to replace the portion of the URL below in all caps (UNIVPORTAL).  The rest of the URL will perpetually remain as is.  No more updating the URLs annually!

Example URL Alteration
http://UNIVPORTAL.naxosmusiclibrary.com/catalogue/item.asp?cid=8.573027

With a prefix-based proxy augmentation:
MyProxyInformation.naxosmusiclibrary.com/catalogue/item.asp?cid=8.573027

With a suffix-based proxy augmentation:
MySubdomain.naxosmusiclibrary.com.MyProxyInfo/catalogue/item.asp?cid=8.573027

If you encounter any difficulties in updating the 856 field URLs, please don't hesitate to contact your local Naxos representative anytime.  If you're unsure who that would be - you can find out easily right now.

Any Known Issues?
There is currently a known issue with using Google Chrome for some downloads.  At present, even though all of the data has been delivered Chrome will hold the transfer session open for longer than intended.  If this occurs, simply allow the download to finish.  It can take between 1 and 5 minutes for this process to complete.  Canceling and restarting will have the same end effect.
Here's an example of what the open-transfer may look like when using Chrome.
7-Zip Compression
Since the data files are so large when unpacked (over 1.1GB), we needed a compression format that would allow for immense compression.  7-Zip (.7z) is the answer!  Should you not have the capability at present, I've included links for PC and Mac below.  Each of these archivers will handle 7-Zip with ease and are free of charge, without restrictions on use.

Windows (7-Zip): http://www.7-zip.org/
Mac (Keka): http://www.kekaosx.com/en/
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We welcome your feedback in any way, shape, and form, so please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or would like to discuss the MARC records further.

Happy MARC'ing!
Nick

Nick D'Angiolillo
Manager, Naxos Online Libraries
Naxos of America, Inc.
615.465.3836 (direct)
Nick@NaxosUSA.com

Join in the conversation!








Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Sony Classical Joins Naxos Music Library!


Naxos Music Library is thrilled to announce the addition of the extensive Sony Classical catalog to the ever-growing streaming inventory available to our subscribers.  This will introduce or expand the presence in NML of a number of legendary and popular artists and conductors, including Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Pablo Casals, George Szell, Arthur Fiedler, Glenn Gould, Vladimir Horowitz, Yo-Yo Ma, Murray Perahia, Eugene Ormandy, the Philip Glass Ensemble, Leontyne Price, Arthur Rubinstein, Isaac Stern, Arturo Toscanini, and many more.  

Sony Classical is also home to many beloved film scores, including those for the Star Wars films, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The Phantom of the Opera, Skyfall, Titanic, The Dark Knight, and more.   And of course, this will also make even more versions of your favorite compositions available, providing you with yet more options when selecting the perfect performance for classroom use or personal listening pleasure.   


The first round of titles (hundreds of them!) are available to stream now, with further albums added on a regular basis alongside the many titles NML adds daily.  


You can view the official press release
HERE 

Naxos Music Library is truly delighted at this opportunity to partner with Sony Classical, and we know that you will be equally excited to enjoy the new additions.  As always, Naxos Music Library strives to provide the most thorough classical music streaming service available, and at a price that will supply the most value to the subscriber.  Happy listening!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Reintroducing...Naxos Video Library!


Have you ever taken a group of students to the opera for the first time and watched as their eyes widened, their jaws dropped, and suddenly they got it?  Suddenly this art form that has captured imaginations for centuries has enchanted even more, and you wished that somehow you could bring this experience back to the classroom?


And what about the ballet?  Students can hear the music easily enough, but how often do they have the opportunity to see how it interacts with the movement of masterful dancers as they glide gracefully about a carefully lit and designed stage?  That breath that catches in the throat as the ballerina nails a massive grand jeté right at the peak of the music’s crescendo—how often do your students get to experience that?


How often do you wish that your students could be in the midst of the great orchestras of the world just to observe their tremendous technique and inspiring virtuosity in action and up close?  Do they get to watch the most skilled conductors at work to pick up valuable insight that they can then apply to their own conducting?


Believe it or not, all of this and more is available through Naxos Video Library (contact us!), which features over 1,675 full-length videos for streaming on demand as of this writing.  This ever-expanding database possesses a wonderfully diverse range of content, including:

Opera – Currently there are over 285 full-length operas available to watch, with libretti and subtitles in up to five languages for most.  The great opera composers are all represented, including Donizetti, Handel, Monteverdi, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini, Verdi, and Wagner (including a number of Bayreuth Festival performances!).  Many of the classic operas are presented multiple times, allowing for comparison of productions.


Ballet – Not only are a wide variety of ballets available in full (including performances of all three Tchaikovsky classics by the Royal Ballet), but a number of films highlight specific dance groups and pay tribute to famous individuals.


Orchestra and chamber ensembles – Over 380 full-length videos portray performances by orchestras, chamber groups, choirs, and soloists.  Highlights include three cycles of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, cycles of Beethoven’s symphonies by Abbado and Karajan, and Bernstein’s Mahler symphony cycle.


Documentaries – A considerable assortment of feature-length documentary films profile composers, conductors, performers, and dancers.  Others highlight moments in music history or inspiring music education stories of today, while still more go behind the scenes of opera productions.  There is something for everyone here.


Educational – Along with a couple series of films dedicated to discussing individual symphonic works, Naxos Video Library includes a number of videos that explore periods of art history and many of the geographic and historic wonders of the world.  Also featured are the A Musical Journey series, which combines video tours of locations around Europe and Asia with classical music characteristic of those places, and a selection of complete stage productions from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.

Naxos Video Library is an excellent resource for your music, dance, and theater programs, and it's a cost-effective way to provide a full-length film collection without having to worry about DVD purchasing, damage, or theft.  And no longer will students need to fight over the one copy available in the library; as many students can stream video simultaneously as your chosen subscription level allows.  You will also have the ability to customize film clips to compile into playlists to complement your lessons.  Curious to see what this is all about?  Contact us at any time for pricing and for a free trial!