My chronicle – a grand way to put it for a man surfing through the Internet – starts with someone telling me about Naxos Music Library (NML). My source, who shall remain unnamed, described it as an online musical library that members of the KAIST community can use for free. I found the instructions on the site’s usage on the KAIST Library site that supplied the web address to access the site (http://kaist.naxosmusiclibrary.com). The instructions also informed me that this particular site can only be accessed through KAIST’s networks. I found out that to access the site’s resources outside of the KAIST networks, one must sign up to the NML service through the KAIST networks first by going to the “Playlists” tab on the site; I had to figure this one out by myself because the instructions failed to mention it, so you are very welcome.

When I accessed the site, I was welcomed by a clean, albeit looking slightly outdated, page that showcased a myriad of classical music albums. Some of the newly added albums to the database were listed at the top while underneath, the featured additions displayed various albums by their covers in all their glory. Various news and user comments about the NML services were displayed on the left. The aesthetics of the page may seem slightly archaic, but it was well organized and served its purpose quite well. What surprised me was the sheer amount of albums the service supplied. It was the virtual equivalent of having an entire library of every classical music album known to man at my fingertips. I checked the list of recent additions and was astounded by the log. The records showed that tens of albums were being uploaded daily. The amount of music was not the only thing that amazed me. When I clicked on an album, the site clearly displayed the album’s playlist. With the click of a button, information on each track could be displayed, detailing the name of the piece, composer, composition year, and down to the publishers, instrumentation, and the genre. It even gave a short background information on the track and whether there were any other recordings of the same piece that are hosted by NML.

As I became more and more fascinated by the site, I decided to listen to some of the music I use to play on the piano, mostly Scott Joplin’s ragtime pieces. Then, I thought of how my piano teacher used to tell me that I was the “descendent” of a long line of musicians taught by Scarlatti and decided to listen to his pieces as I have actually never heard any, and I rather enjoyed them. I then remembered the only piece I remember how to play on the cello, “Habanera” from the opera Carmen. Whilst searching for the track I stumbled upon a curious album called The Instruments of the Orchestra, an audiobook dedicated on educating the listener about the various instruments in an orchestra. It had a section on the cello where the narrator described the instrument as having an “inbuilt nobility” to the sound, followed by a track of the first movement of Bach’s “Suite No. 1” for unaccompanied cello. I realized that the NML service was not limited to music but also included educational audiobooks about music. Not only would one be able to find new music that they may enjoy, but also learn through the materials hosted on the site.

In a moment of curiosity and self-amusement, I decided to search Chuck Berry, an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll. I did not expect much as the site was giving me a very classical vibe. I was very entertained and not at all disappointed when the results yielded an album titled Rock ‘n’ Roll and the City, including classic rock tracks like “Only You,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hound Dog,” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Subsequent searches even included a rendition of “Poker Face” performed by the Gettysburg College Marching Band.

As most may agree by now, the Naxos Music Library is a very comprehensive collection. It would be incredibly hard for you to not be able to find a new piece that is to your liking and taste, be it classical, jazz, blues, or maybe even rock. So go find your next piece to extend your repertoire. Happy music hunting!