Echo & Alexa Forums

General Category => Amazon Echo Discussion => Topic started by: Zenith49 on November 11, 2016, 03:17:10 pm

Title: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: Zenith49 on November 11, 2016, 03:17:10 pm

I wanted to hear the overture to La Gazza Ladro by Rossini.  Seems like a simple enough request.  It plays all the pop music I want to hear, but when I switch gears, it fails.  I tried asking for the english title - The Thieving Magpie- didn't help.  I kept getting pop versions of stuff. 

So what's the trick?  (assuming it's possible)  Does it just have to learn my taste (very eclectic)  I signed up for Unlimited, so I'm assuming that there is a recording of what I want to hear out there somewhere.

TIA
Z

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: Kyle76 on November 11, 2016, 03:27:33 pm

I tried a few.  "Alexa, play the album, Rossini Overtures" worked.

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: AlanH on November 11, 2016, 03:36:32 pm

Worked for me in Spotify.

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: Zenith49 on November 11, 2016, 04:47:43 pm

Quote from: Kyle76 on November 11, 2016, 03:27:33 pm

I tried a few.  "Alexa, play the album, Rossini Overtures" worked.

Thanks, that did work.  I got more than I intended, but at least I heard it.
Z

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: mike27oct on November 11, 2016, 10:44:24 pm

I like to play classical music from Tunein Radio, so I dial up one of the most respected classical stations in the US called KUSC.  Undoubtedly, there are others here and abroad.

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: mindmagic on November 12, 2016, 03:42:56 am

I also listen to classical music on TuneIn. I hadn't come across KUSC before but have it playing now. The ones I use regularly are All Classical Portland, WQXR, WCPE and King FM Symphonic Channel (for that, you have to say "play K-I-N-G-F-M-S-D-3).

It is very hard to get specific tracks from Amazon Music, and the only way to get a symphony is to set up a playlist or ask for an album.

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: AlanH on November 12, 2016, 05:11:33 am

Great suggestion and thanks. KUSC is now in my TuneIn Favourites list.

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: Jake on November 12, 2016, 11:12:24 am

Note: I am in the UK.

"Alexa, play La gazza ladra" worked for me. It came up with a version played by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini on an album entitled "The Classic Experience" (see link directly below). Obviously, I lucked out because I didn't even mention "overture". I then asked for "Alexa, play La gazza ladra, overture" and came up with the same result.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Experience-greatest-classical-tracks/dp/B007XTUZZQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1478967261&sr=1-1-mp3-albums-bar-strip-0&keywords=the+classic+experience

In Prime, the entire work is available on this album:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rossini-Bordogna-Kleopatra-Papatheologou-Dimitry/dp/B00BCVVLGS

I also just found this rather excellent work, once again in Prime (I bought this for the amazingly low price of £5.55 in 2013):

Rossini: Complete Overtures Box set
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (Artist), Neville Marriner (Artist)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00009KV0W/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: mindmagic on November 13, 2016, 04:12:32 am

I think Alexa also struggles with foreign language titles and names of the less familiar composers.

Title: Re: How do you get echo dot to play classical music?
Post by: Mihinc on November 15, 2016, 10:11:44 am

She played and it worked well for me.