If your release is classical, it must follow the classical formatting standards. It sounds strict, but imagine if we called every minuet “Minuet”, your customers would never know which minuet to buy.
- Classical Track Formatting
- Classical Composer Formatting
- Not fully Classical
- Classical Version of Contemporary Song
- Common Classical Names
Classical Track Formatting
[Name of Work] in [Key], [Catalog Number]: [Movement Number]. [Movement Title]
For example:
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio
Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056: III. Presto
Opera Selection Titles
[Opera Title]: [Selection of Title]
Don Giovanni, K. 527: Il mio tesoro
La traviata: Libiamo, libiamo… (“Brindisi”)
Tosca: Vissi d’arte
Complete Opera Titles
[Opera Title, Act, Scene]: [Selection of Title]
Falstaff, Act III, Scene 2: Un poco di pausa
This is the only information that should be included in the track title. We have lots of other places to credit composers, arrangers, soloists, conductors, etc. If you aren’t sure or can’t find some of the information we’re asking for, check out the Petrucci Music Library. Search for the work, and they’ll have a whole wiki page on it. Pretty rad!
Arrangements
Please add (Arr. for instrument name) at the end of your track title.
Example
Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056: III. Presto (Arr. for Bagpip)
Classical Composer Formatting
The way we format classical composers depends a lot on the composer and whether it’s public domain, cover, or original.
For Public Domain
List the full or commonly accepted name of the composer on the publishing page of your release. Please note that all accent marks should be included. You can download a list of popular composers here:
For Cover Songs:
Just fill out a licensing request and purchase licensing! We’ll take care of the rest.
For Original Songs
Please list the full name of the composer. Composers should only be listed in the “Artist Name” field if they are performing an instrument or conducting. The role of the composer is of special importance in classical content. If the composer is also performing on the recording, confirm that by submitting a request and we can notate your account. Especially important: If the composer is performing on the recording, the composer name and artist name must match exactly!
NOTE: Classical Composers will display in the app on many partners. This is so people who want to listen to Beethoven can search for Beethoven and find the composer easily.
ANOTHER NOTE: Lyricists and librettists are not considered composers. Please list only the composer(s) of the music.
Not fully classical, but kind of
We’re always happy to help with other options though. If your title isn’t FULLY classical (ex. You’re recording solo piano pieces for ballet class, or are doing lullaby versions of classical songs) we may be able to help you figure out some options. Please contact us by clicking submit a request at the top of this page.
Classical Version of Contemporary Song
The title does not need to follow the classical formatting standards. Please list the normal song title and submit a song licensing request. The best genre selection for this type of piece is “Classical Crossover”. However, depending on your genre selection, the songwriters from your license may appear in-app on partners. If you DO NOT want that to appear, please change your genre to something outside of the classical category.
Common Classical Names
List of Common Classical Names