OS 10.6.8 safari 5.1.10 itunes 11.1.2 I have 2 folders with about 70 MP3 files in each. They are all recorded by the same pianist. When I put them in the same folder and view " in alphabetical order", they split into 2 halves each one in alphabetical order. I dragged the bottom half into another folder and then select all and then dragged them on top of the top file but they wouldn't merge as one alphabetical list. What has happened and why?
jaybass

I'm still running iTunes 8.2.1, but I suspect that we're running into identical issues, because iTunes is not just not classical music-friendly, it is downright UNfriendly!

After running into numerous instances of its sorts generating weird results I finally figured out that it doesn't always honor my sort prefs literally, but factors in at least one other criterion.

Try enabling "Track Number" via command-J and see if your sort isn't maybe being split up by that criterion. I've had to change metadata on several occasions...either renumbering tracks or eliminating track numbers to achieve the sort results for which I was looking.

You'd think that Apple would show us classical listeners some consideration, an "Opus Number" column at the very least, an entirely different version of iTunes at best, but I suppose that my having filed several bug reports on the issue is hugely outweighed by the number of tracks sold by the iTunes Store.

Edit: I don't remember the specifics, but "Date Added" has also been an infuriating "conditional" criterion.

Edit 2: The issue we're discussing is apparently so obscure and so little understood that MacFixIt's Topher Kessler once took down a speculative analysis of its roots after I responded to it with the same explanation I posted here.

artie, I have just tried all possibilities and no go. I clicked apple j and changed the "arrange by" to 'name' noticing that the "use as defaults" greys out immediately. And of course, it does not work. Q: why does the default grey out? BTW, this pianist is Ernesto Cortazar and I had never heard of him but his recordings are so soft and easy to listen to. Not exactly classical but beautiful just the same. Is apple aware of this particular problem? I have just dragged an itune from a different folder into the offending folder and it jumped into alphabetical order without asking. I wondering what would happen if I dragged all of the files into this other folder. I just might try that. jaybass I just dragged all of those files into the other folder but they would not enter in alphabetical order.

One suggestion is to tell iTunes that the tracks are part of a compilation. Select all 70+ tracks and choose File>Get Info… (or command-I); say "yes" when you are asked if you really want to do this for multiple tracks.

Once the Get Info window opens, click on the "Options" tab (not "Sorting") and halfway down is a check box and pop-up menu (really? We need a double-check??) associated with "Part of a Compilation". Choose accordingly and see if that affects your alphabetization.

Thanks Ira, I'll give it a try. jaybass

Ira, I did have a few duplicates and when I removed them, I again put 2 folders into a 3rd folder and they then became alphabetical. I have no idea why but I did experiment with some other folders and they worked just fine.
jaybass.

My bad for not being explicit.

Hitting command-J while in iTunes calls up this pop-up, which allows you to add columns to and delete them from your iTunes screen.

I realize now that "Track Number" is totally unlikely to be the offender in your case, and as my best guess I'll offer up "Date Added" as the criterion that results in the segregation.

Edit: Note that adding or deleting a column does not affect the effect its contained data may have on sorts.

I ran into another problem which I suspect may have something to with the other one. I noticed a ? mark on the top of folders that I opened. Even when I plugged in a flash card one appeared and also when I connected my external drive. So I booted up from my backup and made my HD identical to the backup now I am back to normal. I will now leave well alone. I should mention that the failure to alphbeticalize? was not in itunes but solely on my desk top. "Arrange By" is now okay. BTW, some of the tunes I mentioned are classical. Thanks for you effort Artie.

Ahhh. That makes a big difference is trouble-shooting.

Like Ira said!

(Always happy to try to help.)