Classical music at the library
“Lovingly collected” is how music information specialist Bernice Gregan describes Christchurch City Libraries’ music holdings.
Our classical collection has approximately 12,000 items - from overtures to opera and chamber to choral music, with the emphasis placed on best-quality recordings. Many recordings are not available elsewhere, including direct imports and recordings no longer available for sale. Broad in range - jazz, world, country and blues, pop / rock and film soundtracks all feature - the collection has something for everyone, and is organised by genre for easy browsing.
New Zealand artists and composers are included throughout the collection.
Recordings
We have a comprehensive collection of classical music - on CD, but also DVD, vinyl and cassette. Search the catalogue by artist or title to find the recording you’re looking for. You can place an item on hold for pick up from your nearest library. See our audio borrowing charges.
Scores and sheet music
The collection of scores (printed works and sheet music) is diverse, and comprehensive resource for those studying music, or wanting a greater appreciation of classical works. These are also popular with performers who need to learn specific songs for auditions or one-off performances, or who want to learn how to play well-known pieces of music.
The library has indexed a great deal of popular music score collections - which means it is very easy find specific songs or pieces of music. Bernice says all staff are trained to help customers make best use of the collection and it is “almost always” possible to find what customers ask for.
Scores are available for piano, guitar, but also for flute, clarinet and many other instruments.
Magazines
You can keep up-to-date with the latest happenings in the industry with magazines and other periodicals. The library has magazines for drummers, guitarists and violin players as well as titles such as Mojo and Rolling Stone. New Zealand musician has practical information for those in the industry and back issues are available. There are also serials available for classical musicians.
Biographies and reference tools
Reading about musician’s lives adds a new dimension to their recorded work, and there are plenty of biographies available on popular and classical artists and composers. There are comprehensive music reference tools available including Oxford Music Online, a combination of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition, edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell (London, 2001), The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, edited by Stanley Sadie (London, 1992), and The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, second edition, edited by Barry Kernfeld (London, 2002) as well as The Oxford Dictionary of Music and The Oxford Companion to Music. Library members (with membership number and PIN) can access all the articles free of charge. Pages that have been updated since their appearance in print are date-stamped in the upper right corner of the screen.
Music resources
Our online resources
- Expand your classical music horizons, by trying our if you like section. It groups pieces of music by different composers with those of similar style or themes.
- Our reference section has an excellent guide to music.
- Just want the new CDs?
- Oxford Music Online - see information above.
Our Internet Gateway recommends
- This page is starting point for those with an interest in classical music.
- Classical music magazines.
- An online guide to choirs and singing.
- News, reviews and events for opera lovers can be found on the New Zealand Opera Society website.
