With the Rautavaara launch, Ondine becomes one of the first classical music labels to offer from its catalog for downloading on the Internet. The symphony is available for downloading in the MP3 format, which has been embraced by many Internet users. As many as 17 million MP3 files are downloaded each day for use on computers or special MP3 players. The performance of Rautavaara's Eighth Symphony is about 28 minutes in length, and features The Philadelphia Orchestra playing the work last April. Following the world premiere performances in Philadelphia, the Orchestra and Mr. Sawallisch also gave the symphony's European and Finnish debuts on tour in May 2000.
Payment is by credit card.
Files are watermarked with specific information about each transaction to prevent illegal duplication of the copyrighted material. The amount of time required to download the 28-minute symphony will depend on each user's Internet connection speed. The download size for the MP3 files are 25-40Mb, depending on bit rate, with both 128kbits and 192kbits MP3 versions available. Since its founding in 1985, Ondine Records has issued almost 300 compact disc recordings, exploring unusual repertoire both by historic and contemporary Finnish composers as well as important international composers. Many of these recordings feature musical works unavailable elsewhere.