Google Music Links Look Nifty

"Reports are rife that Google is preparing to add music to its search results, allowing users to listen to songs right from the results page. The new feature, which is supposedly set to be announced next week, involves licensing deals all four major music labels as well as a smattering of independents. Though there is revenue sharing involved, the main plan is to use the initiative as a way to keep users on Google for longer."

For the full story, please see Ars Technica.

The Song Decoders

"On first listen, some things grab you for their off-kilter novelty. Like the story of a company that has hired a bunch of “musicologists,” who sit at computers and listen to songs, one at a time, rating them element by element, separating out what sometimes comes to hundreds of data points for a three-minute tune. The company, an Internet radio service called Pandora, is convinced that by pouring this information through a computer into an algorithm, it can guide you, the listener, to music that you like. The premise is that your favorite songs can be stripped to parts and reverse-engineered."

For the full story, please see the New York Times.

What Makes It Great?

"From Beethoven to Broadway, hear pianist and composer Rob Kapilow reveal the heart of the music with fresh insight and a touch of humor."

Listen at npr.org.

Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies

The Center for Beethoven Studies has a new website!

The Center is the only institution in North America devoted solely to the life, works, and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Established in 1983 when Ira F. Brilliant donated his Beethoven collection to San José State University, the Center officially opened in September 1985 with a gala co-sponsored by the San Jose Symphony. Building on Ira Brilliant's original donation, the Center now has the largest collection of Beethoven materials outside of Europe. In addition to functioning as a research library and museum, the Center is involved in a variety of educational programs and sponsors concerts, lectures, tours, and other events. Long-term projects include publication of The Beethoven Journal and development of the Center's online catalog, the Beethoven Gateway. The Center is also the headquarters for the American Beethoven Society.

Noted Ballet Music Director Resigns Suddenly

"Stewart Kershaw, music director and conductor of the Pacific Northwest Ballet company for the last 25 years, resigned earlier this week, taking the public – and the company – by complete surprise. The move came without warning and is effective immediately."

For the full story, please see Musical America.

Open Access Week 2009

In conjunction with 2009 Open Access Week < www.openaccessweek.org >, the UW Libraries is offering four programs that explore various aspects of the current landscape of scholarly publishing and access, as well as projections for the future. Follow the link for a full schedule of events.

Music Library Open House

*Want a library tour?
*Want to get a head start on that big research project but don’t know where to start?
*Want to learn how to use RefWorks to manage your citations before you start your research?

Come to the Music Library Open House for answers to all of your burning library questions!

*Monday, October 5, 12PM-2PM
*Tuesday, October 6, 2PM-4PM
*Wednesday, October 7, 10AM-12PM