Ballston Spa, New York–March 6, 2008–ReQuest, the company that leads the way in hard disk music servers and server-based whole-house media systems, has announced an entirely new feature-set for its acclaimed Serious Play Media Manager software system. Conceived for the classical music collector/listener, ReQuest’s Classical Mode for the first time gives committed fans the full power, flexibility, and utility of a disk-based music server, along with the audiophile sonics for which ReQuest is well known.
ReQuest’s Classical Mode is a feature of the new version 4.6 of its Serious Play Media Manager software, the user interface that commands all ReQuest hard disk-based music servers via touchscreen, wall-panel, handheld, or wall-panel controllers. Available as an optional three-year subscription for the full range of ReQuest models, Classical Mode allows listeners to organize, access, and enjoy their collections using metadata of Composer, Conductor, Orchestra, Artist, or Performance.
This may seem a subtle distinction, but it’s critical to classical fans, who listen not to individual tracks but to complete performances; symphonies, sonatas, and concertos consisting of multiple movements (sections), and who are as concerned with the composer and conductor as they are with the players. Consequently, Classical Mode works by default organizing recordings into “performances” that make it easy to find, program, or play a particular four-movement Haydn symphony that originated from a disc containing five such, with a total of 20 tracks.
Or, with Classical Mode’s versatile search abilities, a user can quickly locate a work by Gustav Mahler, a favorite performance conducted by Seiji Ozawa, a piano sonata performed by Rudolf Serkin, or even search for all performances of the Beethoven violin concerto with the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by someone other than George Szell.
What’s more, because Classical Mode organizes music by performances rather than tracks or songs, grouping all the movements of a symphony, sonata, dance-suite, or other work together in order, classical listeners can now enjoy the pleasures of “shuffling” a playlist while preserving the internal integrity of works–perfect for setting up an evening of musical enjoyment with a fresh twist.
Classical Mode seamlessly incorporates full album art and provides browsable on-screen views that show complete classical metadata plus recording and release dates, catalog numbers, durations, and more, plus individual screens for album or track details with complete track and time information. It acquires metadata for a complete collection, and automatically updates as new data becomes available–plus, Classical Mode gives collectors easy access to data whether for editing, adding comments or listening notes, making additions or corrections, or merely for study.
Classical music enthusiasts can now easily manage, play, and enjoy their collections to the fullest extent. The Classical Mode is a premium feature available by subscription only for $750.00 for three years and accessible for all ReQuest music servers running Serious Play 4.6.
About ReQuest
ReQuest, Inc.’s home-entertainment systems have set the standard for high-end digital media storage, management, playback, and system integration since 1998. The Company’s award-winning music servers and video-management systems are the accepted leaders in cutting-edge technology. The Company enjoys being regarded as having the best service in the industry, with an installed base of more than 20,000 units. ReQuest was ranked by Inc. magazine as one of the top 500 fastest-growing private businesses in America for two years in a row. For more information, visit www.request.com
