Best Music Notation Software Ever Written Hits the U.S. Market

Business Wire, Oct 20, 1998

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 1998--Composing music was a tortuous process until two British composers/computer programmers decided it didn't have to be. These twin brothers coded a superb piece of music notation software and then named the creation after their favorite composer, Jean Sibelius.

Sibelius(R) for Windows(TM) is newly available in the U.S and will be released in a Macintosh version in early 1999. Estimated U.S. retail price for both Windows and Mac versions is $599, with a discounted price of $299 for academic institutions.

Sibelius(R) for Windows(TM) - available through better music instrument retailers in the United States and Canada and at 1-888-4-SIBELIUS - is out-of-the-box fast and easy and provides nearly everyone the ability to notate, edit, play back and publish music of every kind. Already selling in 25 countries, accolades for Sibelius are pouring in from professional composers, music publishers, students, instructors and "moonlight musicians."

Michael Tilson Thomas, Principal Conductor for the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and a user of this new software states that "I have found Sibelius a powerful and effective tool."

99% Inspiration, 1% Perspiration

Sibelius starts with an exact electronic replica of manuscript paper. Music notes are written using a mouse or computer keyboard, or "played" into the PC with a standard MIDI instrument. Completed masterpieces can be printed on common inkjet and laser printers in clear and easy-to-read formats.

Sibelius allows users to publish their works directly onto the Web, allowing anyone to see and play your music whether they have Sibelius or not. The company offers a free, downloadable plug-in at www.sibelius.com, which allows scores to be viewed, transposed and played back from the Internet.

Various Features

Sibelius delivers natural-sounding playback through one of it's unique features, Espressivo,(TM) which produces a truly realistic performance by adding phrasing and expression. When playing orchestral or band scores, Sibelius' SoundStage(TM) feature positions the sound in 3-D space to simulate a concert hall experience.

About Sibelius

Founded in 1993 by Ben and Jonathan Finn, Sibelius Software Ltd. develops and markets computer software for music notation and composition. Now available in 25 countries worldwide, the Sibelius music notation software program is an acknowledged market leader. Sibelius Software is a private company, headquartered in Cambridge with offices in London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas.