Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about Numu21:
What is Numu21?
It is a project to explore 21st century music and its composers and to discover the best.
How do you decide what is the best music?
Among the things we consider are originality, craftsmanship and beauty. Closely related is whether a composer and their music will stand the test of time – that is, whether they will continue to be remembered and performed decades or even hundreds of years from now.
Do you also take popularity into consideration?
We suspect that some of the best pieces of music are not very popular, at least not yet. In many cases this could be because they have had little if any publicity.
What specific types of music are you focussing on?
We are focussing mainly on art music. This category includes both music that sounds similar to classical music (from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras) and so-called "contemporary classical" music.
Will you also consider popular music and non-Western music?
Yes, to some extent, because the boundary line between art music and popular music or non-Western music is often blurred.
What is the purpose of the huge glossary of music terms and concepts?
We think that this will be useful for understanding our reviews of 21st century music (and music in general).
Is Numu21 a non-profit project?
Yes. We don't expect to make a profit in a monetary sense. But we hope to eventually be able to cover most of our expenses.
Do you intend to have advertising?
No. We want to avoid it if at all possible. Advertising would detract from the user experience and is not compatible with the concepts of this site. We will, however, accept sponsorship and would consider mentioning the names of any sponsors.
Why doesn't this website have any colors or pictures like other websites.
This simplicity is intentional. We plan to explain more about it at a later date.
Who is organizing this project?
It is starting out with just a small group of volunteers who share a love of good music and who want to share what they have learned with the world.
How can I participate in this project?
There are several ways. They include suggesting composers to review, suggesting improvements for this website, and making a donation.