Classical Primary Artist guidelines should only be used for the Classical genre. These guidelines do not apply for the Classical Crossover genre.
13.1. Primary Artists at the Album Level. The main artists for Western classical music must be marked as Primary at the album level. Do not use the roles Featuring or With. For example, for a recording of:
Beethoven symphonies performed by a single orchestra and conductor, mark both the orchestra and conductor as Primary.
Beethoven symphonies performed by several orchestras but with the same conductor, mark only the conductor as Primary.
Beethoven symphonies performed by several orchestras and several conductors, mark Various Artists as Primary.
Concertos performed by the same orchestra and conductor but featuring several soloists, mark the orchestra and the conductor as Primary.
A collection of Schubert Art Songs (Lieder) performed by several vocalists and pianists, mark Various Artists as Primary.
A complete opera, oratorio, cantata, or mass, mark the conductor, orchestra, and principal vocal soloists, including all those listed on the cover art, as Primary.
For albums that are not complete operas, oratorios, cantatas, or masses, five or more main performing artists may be credited as Primary at the album level, as long as they each appear on the cover art or perform on every track.
13.2. Primary Artists at the Track Level. All artists performing on a track must be marked as Primary. Do not enter Various Artists as an artist name at the track level. Do not use the roles Featuring or With. For example, if a track features:
A violin sonata with piano accompaniment, mark both the violinist and the pianist as Primary.
A concerto, mark the soloists, the orchestra, and the conductor all as Primary.
An orchestra but a prominent solo appears during the track, mark the orchestra, the soloists, and the conductor all as Primary.
A choir accompanied by piano or orchestra, mark the choir, the accompanists or orchestra, and the conductor all as Primary.
An artist whose complete information isn’t available, as may occur with vintage recordings, provide as much artist information as possible.
An ensemble, do not mark individual members as Primary, unless they are performing as soloists.
If only one member of an ensemble is performing, do not credit the ensemble as Primary.
Only use Unknown Artist at the track level and with the Performer role. Do not mark Unknown Artist as Primary.
For an opera, mark all artists present on that track as Primary.