There is not a classical institution on the planet more adventurous about online delivery than the mostly-classical Naxos catalog. Naxos was there when Rhapsody first launched, single-handedly spanning nearly the entire repertoire; Naxos remains the foremost classical provider in Rhapsody. Now comes the announcement that Naxos has signed with the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, which will widen the Naxos presence in music services hugely. Every track in the enormous Naxos catalog will be available through multiple distribution points including subscription services, Internet jukeboxes of various sorts, store kiosks, and ringtone packagers. Naxos president Jim Sturgeon asserts that in five years online sales will represent a third of the label's revenue.

Amazingly, in the classical universe it is a label leading the way into the future. While orchestras continue trying to drag young audiences into old venues, Naxos seems to understand the real trick: Put the music into new channels. You won't get (many) young people to spend their Saturday nights at the symphony hall. But you might get young people to listen to symphonies if you fill their computers, MP3 players, and Internet streams with them. Bravo Naxos; full speed ahead.