Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Announces New Digital Download on iTunes

Orchestra's foray into online distribution features live-concert recording of The Rite of Spring conducted by incoming Music Director Marin Alsop

After one week on iTunes, album ranks in top three classical downloads

Baltimore, Md. (March 20, 2007) - The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has announced the launch of its first downloadable live-concert recording, featuring the Orchestra's January 11-14, 2007 performances of Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, conducted by Music Director Designate Marin Alsop and featuring members of the Peabody Symphony Orchestra. Hailed by The Washington Post as "a thunderous, rip-roaring, full-throttle performance," the music is available for download exclusively on iTunes for a cost of $5.99. Just one week after the album's release, the BSO's The Rite of Spring is already ranked among the top three classical downloads on iTunes.

The recording endeavor underscores Maestra Alsop's vision of a more accessible Orchestra of the 21st century, which utilizes technology and innovative outreach strategies to reach a much broader audience. This exciting new model furthers the Orchestra's commercial recording profile and paves the way for new distribution channels. The recording is made available under the terms of the AFM (American Federation of Musicians) Internet Agreement between the AFM and symphony orchestras, which contains a revenue-sharing component for musicians of the BSO.

As part of an ongoing series on National Public Radio, Ms. Alsop will discuss The Rite of Spring with Scott Simon in an interview scheduled to air Saturday, March 24 during NPR's Weekend Morning Edition.  The discussion, featuring highlights from the BSO's recording and an in-depth analysis of the work, will be available as part of the iTunes download shortly after broadcast. 

To access the album, visit the iTunes store and go to the classical page, or perform a general search for "Baltimore, Alsop." Free thirty-second previews are available. Apple's iTunes software is required to preview and download the recording. Newport Classics is distributing the recording on behalf of the BSO and exclusively through iTunes.