The world of classical music is now at your fingertips, thanks to a new stand-alone app by Apple.
Available to download from the App Store as of Tuesday, Apple Music Classical reportedly has more than five million tracks currently, in high-resolution audio.
The app is available via an Apple Music subscription and is limited to iPhone users running iOS 15.4 and later, while iPad, Mac and Android users will not be be able to use it yet.
Here is what you need to know about Apple Music Classical.
1. It's clean and functional
As the app is available for existing Apple Music subscribers, it naturally follows the same clean design aesthetic and functionality.
The Listen Now section basically serves as a homepage where users can scroll through Apple Music Classical's main features.
The Browse page is divided into catalogue, playlists and instruments sections, where users can access thematic playlists and albums.
The search function allows you to find content by composer, track title and keywords.
With classical music titles often including numbers, it is recommended to use exact song titles where possible. For example, typing "Beethoven's Symphony No.5" as opposed to "Beethoven's Symphony Number 5” will provide more accurate results.
2. An ideal discovery app
Apple Music Classical’s key features are designed with genre newbies in mind.
The platform’s signature Essentials playlists are ideal introductions to sub-genres ranging from baroque and symphonic to opera and choral.
Each list also comes with a nifty blurb on the characteristics of music included.
The Story of Classical is another great feature. The nine-part playlists trace the evolution of the genre from the Middle Ages to present day.
Key works and composers are also highlighted with introductory commentary to each playlist.
3. Curated by maestros
In a competitive market, streaming services define themselves by functionality and curation.
When it comes to the latter, Apple Music Classical does a good job in making a specialised genre accessible.
There are more than 100 playlists available on this dedicated page, divided into subsections including certain musical periods and a variety of ensembles, from solos to octets.
Highlights are Instruments is home to 25 playlists featuring works tailored to specific instruments ranging from the piano to the viola da gamba.
Different styles of operatic vocals also are included here, such as The Soprano Voice — featuring classical arias composed by Gaetano Donizetti and Antonio Vivaldi — and Tenor Voice, with key pieces such as Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini.
Also worth checking out is the Curated by Artist section, featuring thematic playlists chosen by classical music stars.
Titled Our Common Nature, Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s selection (featuring Pablo Casals and Kathryn Stott) is made up of works that “remind us that we do not live in isolation from one another.”
Egyptian soprano Fatma Said has curated a rhythmic playlist called Dance, featuring important works from the tango and opera genres.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
More coverage from the Future Forum
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
