Visitors to www.rsno.classical.com will be able to access rare recordings of performances conducted by Alexander Gibson and Neeme J‹rvi as well as recordings from 40 music labels. Simon Woods, chief executive of the RSNO, believes the orchestra is the first to offer access to such a large online resource, according to the paper.

Live streaming of concerts and new recordings may also be added soon to the service, which costs around Ô£8 per month. The price includes unlimited streaming of all audio tracks and up to eight downloads per month.

The RSNO's recordings, which include Dvoršk and Prokofiev symphony cycles conducted by J‹rvi, a former RSNO music director, and the complete works by Samuel Barber, are widely respected. Rare recordings include Elgar's oratorio The Dream of Gerontius, conducted by Gibson, the founder of Scottish Opera.