Library Resources Blog Posts: Spotlight on

Spotlight on: Naxos Music Library

Sssshhhh! Music playing!

As you are probably aware, the Library isn’t just for quiet reading (although the third floor is available for silent study when that’s what you need).  We also provide you with a wide range of music in various formats. You can find a collection of printed music scores up on the third floor, plus many music CDs and DVDs in the Audiovisual Collection. But the Library also provides music wherever you go, via various online streaming services. These include audiovisual databases relating to dance, theatre and film, which can be found via our A-Z List of Databases - just filter the list by Database Type: Film, Image and Music. In this month’s post, we shine the Library spotlight on Naxos Music Library.

Naxos contains over 2.6 million music tracks, ranging from classical and opera to jazz and blues, film scores, pop, rock and traditional music from all over the world. Once logged in with your Roehampton credentials, you can simply plug in your headphones or even download the NML app to stream music straight to your phone. (Please note that you no longer need a special username and password to access this resource off campus).

As well as the music itself, Naxos contains many extra features such as musicology essays, an integrated music dictionary, libretti of operas and operettas, and information on artists, composers, recording labels, musical eras, genres, and regions. There are even themed playlists such as Animals in Music, and new tracks are constantly being added – click on the New & News section to see the latest additions. 

Above: Examples of Naxos musicology content

Content is licensed to Roehampton staff and students for personal, non-commercial use, though not for downloading or public broadcast, so although you can use it in your studies or teaching you are not allowed to make copies in any format. (For instance, you can use it to accompany a performance, but if that performance is filmed, you can’t then upload the film to a public platform such as YouTube with the music included).

There is plenty of dance music to choose from, ranging from ballet to rave, and many more styles and genres suitable for any purpose:  for example, to use in music therapy or teaching school children, or a dance or drama assignment. Looking for a soundtrack  for a special event or celebration?  From Burns Night to Passover to Christmas, Naxos will have something for you. Or even just some music to listen to while you work.  When you are studying on the third floor of the Library, perhaps we can recommend John Cage’s 1952 composition entitled 4’33” - a recording of four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence!