Searching the site

There are two main ways to find music on Pristine Classical: use the search box, or browse through the catalogue by composer, artist or ensemble.

The catalogue is large, so a good search term can save a lot of wandering through the shrubbery.

Using the search box

Start simple

The search box is near the top of the website. Type the name of a composer, performer, conductor, work, catalogue number or series, then press Enter.

Good examples include:

Furtwängler Beethoven 9
Callas Tosca
Starker Bach
PASC773

Tip: if a search gives too many results, add another word. If it gives no results, remove a word or try a different spelling.

Searching by catalogue number

If you know the Pristine catalogue number, this is usually the quickest route. Search for the number exactly as it appears, for example:

PASC773
PACM133
PACO225

This should take you straight to the relevant release or a very short list of results.

Searching for composers and works

For major composers, it often helps to include both the composer and the work:

Beethoven symphony 5
Mahler das lied
Bach cello suites
Wagner Tristan

For very common works, adding the conductor or soloist will narrow the results.

Searching for artists

You can search for singers, conductors, soloists, orchestras and ensembles. Try the surname first if the full name does not produce the result you expect.

For example:

Toscanini
Klemperer
Schnabel
Flagstad

Spelling, accents and alternative names

Historic recordings can be awkward beasts. Names may appear with accents, without accents, in different transliterations, or with slightly different spellings.

If you cannot find something, try a simpler form of the name:

Try Furtwangler as well as Furtwängler
Try Kubelik as well as Kubelík
Try just the surname rather than the full name

Using the Find Music menu

The Find Music menu lets you browse the catalogue rather than search directly. This is useful if you want to explore everything available by a particular composer, artist or ensemble.

Use it when you are not looking for one specific release, but want to see what is available.

If you still cannot find something

Some recordings may appear under a conductor, singer, composer, work title or catalogue number, so it is worth trying more than one route.

If you are looking for a specific recording and cannot find it, please contact us with as much information as you have: composer, work, performer, conductor, catalogue number or any old link you may have saved.

Contact details are here: Help & Support.

In brief: start with the simplest useful search term. Catalogue numbers are best, surnames are often safer than full names, and removing accents can sometimes help.