FAQ

• What is a "Score on Screen"?
• What do I need to be able to view one of these files?
• What else will I need?
• What is the advantage of purchasing "Scores on Screen", can't I just buy these scores at my local music store?
• Are there restrictions on my use of these scores?
• Where can I get "Scores on Screen"?
• Are there any free samples?
• How do I find out what's free each week?
• What else can I find on the Ritornello web sight?
• Pricing
• Do you ship outside of the United States?
• How secure is my order?
• What about shipping and handling?
• What is the return policy?

Q: What is a "Score on Screen"?
A: "Scores on Screen" are Graphical digitizations (scans) of printed music which are then converted into PDF (portable document format) files. The Portable Document Format is viewable on almost any personal computer, regardless of operating system. Simply stated, you can view a PDF file on your Macintosh or Windows based computer.
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Q: What do I need to be able to view one of these files?
A: We have selected Adobe Acrobat to convert our digitizations to PDF. Therefore you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader (or the full Adobe Acrobat aplication) installed on your hard drive. You can easily download the most recent versions from the Internet. (free downloads available here.) Actually, there is a good chance that you already have a copy on your hard drive.
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Q: What else will I need?
A: If you purchase a disk from us, you will need a CDRom drive. However, there will always be a variety of free "Scores of the Week" available for download from this website.
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Q: What is the advantage of purchasing "Scores on Screen", can't I just buy these scores at my local music store?
A: If you have access to a good classical music store, many of the titles we offer might be available (if not in stock, your store should be able to order). But, have you noticed the price of printed music lately? A standard opera score (piano/vocal edition) costs $20, $35 - even as much as $100!!! - For "Scores on Screen" you pay only a fraction of that. That's not the only advantage to "Scores on Screen". There is also the matter of convenience. Just think of the hassle of carrying all of the Beethoven symphonies around from class to class - no problem when they are all on one CD
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Q: Are there restrictions on my use of these scores?
A: The digitizations are copyrighted and therefore it is illegal for you to copy the disk files - BUT you may print to paper and make as many copies as you need for performance or classes - you may NOT sell these printed copies for a profit.
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Q: Where can I get "Scores on Screen"?
A: "Scores on Screen" are available at discounted rates through the Ritornello family of websites. Due to the complexities of the international copyright laws most of our titles are currently available only in the United States.
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Q: Are there any free samples?
A: You bet! As mentioned above, Ritornello posts "Scores of the Week" on the web sight. All "Scores of the Week" are free to download. "Scores of the Week" are for the most part short works which will tend to be 1 meg or less. On any given week you might find a song by Schubert, a Mozart sonata, a Monteverdi madrigal and lots more. Please visit the samples page.
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Q: How do I find out what's free each week?
A: You can visit the website, or we can notify you by email if you would like. The email newsetter will also inform you of new titles in the catalogue and special pricing offers.
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Q: What else can I find on the Ritornello web sight?
A: COMING SOON: Great Operas Volume One - Ritornello's Great opera series commences with Volume One which includes the piano / vocal scores ("on Screen") of 25 complete opera masterpieces. Included you will find works by Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini and many more.
ALSO COMING SOON: The Opera Archives - These will be digitized editions of hard to find works which will maintain the look of the originals. While many of the original sources for these editions are fragile and very low in contrast, we have taken the pages and converted them into readable Grey-scale page files to insure the best level of readability. Both the Great Operas Vol I, and the "Opera Archives" series will prove invaluable to the serious musician. Priced to meet everyones budget, these series will make handy resources which formerly were formerly available only in the best and largest of university music librarys.
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Q: Pricing
A: "Scores On Screen" are available direct from Ritornello through this Web site. Please use the handy shopping cart. Each item will give a list price and a web purchase discounted price. Even at retail our products are economical and full of value but when you factor in our huge online discount we think the prices are unbeatable.
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Q: Do you ship outside of the United States?
A: Due to the complexities of the International Trade Laws and copyright status, we do not currently ship outside of the continental United States.
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Q: How secure is my order?
A:
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Q: What about shipping and handling?
A: Shipping and handling is already included in the list price. For your convenience we list only the final cost to you. (Exception: NYS residents must add in sales tax.)
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Q: What is the return policy?
A: RETURN POLICY - If you are dissatisfied with any of our products, please contact us within 30 days from the date of sale at: sales@ritornello.com We wll refund your money in full, and provide a prepaid return shipping label to you.
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