How to update classical music to use Work/Movement fields

I just realized there are Work and Movement fields and I'd like to update my music library to reflect this method rather than the old grouping method. However, I noticed when I click the box for "Use work and movement" in get info, it removes the song information, So the only way I have to update the new movement names is to go find the CD and type in the info, which obviously won't work for several hundred works. Is there a way to copy the song name into the new Name field? Or to make the song field visible?

Posted on May 20, 2023 9:08 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 20, 2023 9:49 AM

Sadly the work & movement fields are not exposed in the iTunes object model, or it would be easy to write a script to copy things over. What you can do is use the songs layout and add the work and movement columns alongside name, then tap twice into Name, press Ctrl+C to copy, tap twice into Movement, Ctrl+V to paste, edit as needed, and press enter to complete. Rinse and repeat. Use Song Info to edit numeric values or bulk properties, such as Work.


Here is a worked example from a few years back: "Works & Movement" tags not displaying co… - Apple Community.


tt2

Similar questions

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 20, 2023 9:49 AM in response to SlawDawg77

Sadly the work & movement fields are not exposed in the iTunes object model, or it would be easy to write a script to copy things over. What you can do is use the songs layout and add the work and movement columns alongside name, then tap twice into Name, press Ctrl+C to copy, tap twice into Movement, Ctrl+V to paste, edit as needed, and press enter to complete. Rinse and repeat. Use Song Info to edit numeric values or bulk properties, such as Work.


Here is a worked example from a few years back: "Works & Movement" tags not displaying co… - Apple Community.


tt2

May 20, 2023 12:18 PM in response to SlawDawg77

You can edit the work and movement fields in the Songs layout. Click twice slowly rather than double click. Once to select, again to edit. Once you've entered work names and movement details you can use the multi-track editor to enable Use Work & Movement, then go back to Get/Song Info with a single track to enter movement numbers and use Next, Last to navigate through the album.


tt2

May 20, 2023 2:05 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks. I discovered a new issue now though. When you have a Work, it seems to ignore what ever you have in the Sort Composer field and instead sort by the Work Composer. So, for example, I just bought a work by Arnold Schoenberg. I put in the Sort Composer field "Schoenberg, Arnold", but despite that, its sorting by composer under A.


It's starting to seem easier to just stick with my old groups and composer sorts. I have 3800+ songs, which aren't all parts of works, but a clear large manual undertaking. And since I can't see the Works on my iPhone in Music, wondering if there is any real advantage to making the change.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How to update classical music to use Work/Movement fields

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.