Launched in 2000 by ClassicAll Network Ltd ("CNL"), founded and chaired by French Conductor Michel Swierczewski, ludwigvanweb.com is the only Internet site dedicated to the independent classical music community: the hosting of their catalogues, the promotion of their product and the distribution of their output. CNL currently has contracts with 24 independent labels for the distribution of their catalogues in MP3 format via the Internet. The labels include: Sweden's Bis Records; two from the Czech Republic, Supraphon and Clarton; six French labels (Arcana, Calliope, Harmonic Classics, K617, Theatre Francais de la Musique and Timpani; two British labels (Black Box and Metronome); two from Germany (Marc Aurel and Hanssler Classics); 12 small US labels comprising the Classical Music Consortium; and the Belgian label, Pavane.

To date, the contents of 1,000 CDs, comprising over 13,000 individual tracks, have been put online on the ludwigvanweb site, together with thousands of pages of their booklets. A further 2,000 CDs are in process of being made available online, and other label catalogues - big and small - are currently under negotiation. The site's powerful search engine enables the entire music database to be interrogated; all tracks can be audio-sampled; full text sleeve notes viewed and printed out; customised CDs downloaded; and both compilations and CDs can be purchased online through the site's secure e-commerce platform. ludwigvanweb also offers frequent visitors a great-value subscription service, with access to free downloads of classic recordings and delivery of 12 free CDs a year.

The musical resources contained in ludwigvanweb's label-partner catalogues represent the site's principle offering. Other notable site features include: LudwigPros, the Professional Musicians' Directory which provides a showcase for a growing list of talented artists, including audio (and in some cases video) samples of their work, details of their repertoire and forthcoming schedule, bio.and contact details; LudwigScope, the site's online magazine, edited by well known music journalist, Martin Anderson, packed with interviews, feature articles and CD and book reviews; and a 1-hour demo programme from LudwigRadio, a digital radio service, to be launched later in 2002 as a new component of the site's subscription package.

musicweb.uk.net

Founded by Dr Len Mullenger in 1996, MusicWeb is one of the world's busiest classical-music sites. It is visited by 5,000 users a day who consult the 14,000 pages that the site has on offer, supplied by a team of 140 contributors who provide the site with a constantly updated stream of reviews and articles.

MusicWeb presents visitors with a quite amazing array of features. These include sub-sites devoted to Gerard Hoffnung, the British Music and Recorded Music Societies, Composer Profiles and a lively Chat Room. Two sections stand out: Classical CD Reviews (launched in 1998) and "Seen & Heard" (since 2000) which presents reviews of live concerts.

MusicWeb now reviews around 200 classical CDs each month, with up to ten reviews posted on the site every day. As a result of its membership of classicalLink.com, for the first time in 2002, MusicWeb's reviewers are able to illustrate their reviews of certain CDs with selected audio extracts streamed on the ludwigvanweb site. Interested visitors can also read the reviewed CD's sleeve notes and then purchase the CD online using ludwigvanweb's secure e-commerce platform, or download desired tracks as part of their own compilations. The "Seen & Heard" section constitutes the largest live music site on the WorldWide Web, producing detailed reviews of orchestral and chamber music concerts, recitals, opera music and a miscellany of more esoteric events.

Although the site is UK based, it is international in outlook with comprehensive illustrated reports on many overseas festivals, particularly those featuring contemporary music.

filmmusic.uk.net

Launched by Dr Mullenger in 1998, the FilmMusic site provides outstanding news and comment, articles, composer profiles and, crucially, in-depth reviews of books and CDs of current and classic film scores. Coverage also includes concert and operatic music by film music composers such as Korngold, Franz Waxman, Miklos Rozsa and George Antheil.

Around 70 film music CDs are now reviewed on the site every month, including new and classic film scores and soundtracks, as well as older releases and compilations. Reviews of a smattering of middle of the road, jazz and musicals are also provided in an eclectic "Curio Corner".