Liner notes are the little booklets that often accompany a sound recording, such as a CD. Sometimes liner notes are written on a sound recording cover, such as an LP. They are very similar to program notes. Reading liner notes can help you see examples of the kind of descriptive musical writing that can make program notes engaging.
You can view a PDF example of liner notes.
Some online recordings in the Naxos recordings database contain liner notes. If liner notes are available, the left side of the screen will contain the word Booklet, which you can click on.
The Cook Music Library has more than 60,000 recordings in our collection, and most have liner notes. If you compile a list of recordings you find in IUCAT, send the list to Misti and she will scan the liner notes and email them to you!
mistshaw @ indiana.edu