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Opera Box: Johann Strauss II – Simplicius

We are convinced that lovers of classical music include people who are always looking for(1) music that they have not heard before that might attract them, and (2) the best performance of music that they are familiar with and already enjoy.This website was created to help these music lovers achieve both goals. We are uniquely able to fulfill this mission because we bring together two exceptional resources that are not available on any other classical music website: (1) a classical music record collection that includes over 60,000 recordings of more than 35,000 different pieces of music from every corner of the globe, representing every historical period from biblical times to the present — one of the largest collections of classical music in the world; and (2) the expertise of some of the best professional music commentators, musicians, and composers involved in the classical music world.With these unique resources, we present three specialized podcasts and the opportunity to respond to them through our blog: (1) "Buried Treasure" will introduce music from all periods and places, providing an opportunity to explore rarely heard works; (2) panel discussions on the interpretation of classical music in which well-established record critics will review recordings of more familiar works, play excerpts of the performances under review, and explain their individual standards for judging performance; and (3) a podcast in which one of the leading composers in New York interviews notable performers and composers, discussing with them the latest developments in classical music.