Music Subject Cataloging
Music Subject Cataloging
Types
of compositions are used in uniform titles for music, which are formulated
according to AACR2.
Subject
headings are formulated according to the Library of Congress Subject
Cataloging Manual.
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Agnus Dei | Agnus Dei (Music) | do not include medium of performance in either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Allemande/Allemandes Almain/Almains Almaine/Almaines Alman/Almans |
Allemandes | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for allemandes for a specific medium. |
| Anthem/Anthems | Anthems | For collections of anthems for various mediums of performance; assign an an additional heading for individual anthems and collections for a specific medium of performance, e.g., 1. Anthems. 2. Choruses, Sacred (Mixed voices, 4 parts), Unaccompanied. |
| Aria/Arias Arietta/Ariettas |
Songs | For solo voice with secular texts; for art songs, qualify the heading as appropriate by voice range and specification of accompaniment, e.g., Songs (High voice) with piano; Songs with orchestra; Songs, Unaccompanied. |
| Sacred songs | For solo voice with sacred texts; qualify the heading as appropriate by voice range and specification of accompaniment, e.g., Sacred songs (High voice) with piano; Sacred songs with string orchestra; Sacred songs, Unaccompanied. | |
| Ayre/Ayres | Ayres | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for ayres for a specific medium, e.g., Songs (High voice) with lute. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Ballad/Ballads | Ballads | For collections of ballads in various unrelated languages. Works in a single language or group of languages are entered under this heading with language qualifier, e.g., Ballads, English. |
| Ballade/Ballades (instrumental) |
Ballades (Instrumental music) | For ballades for a specific medium, a second heading is assigned, e.g. 1. Ballades (Instrumental music) 2. Piano music. |
| Ballade/Ballades (vocal) |
Ballades (Polyphonic chansons) | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Ballett/Balletts | Balletti (Part songs) | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Beguine/Beguines | Beguines (Music) | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for beguines for a specific medium. |
| Bolero/Boleros | Boleros (Music) | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for boleros for a specific medium. |
| Bossa nova | Bossa nova (Music) | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for bossa nova for a specific medium. |
| Bourrée/Bourrées | Bourrées | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for bourrées for a specific medium. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Canon/Canons | Canons, fugues, etc. | For collections of canons, fugues, and similar compositions for various mediums of performance; add medium of performance to this heading for individual canons, fugues, etc. and collections of canons, fugues, etc. for a specific medium of performance. |
| Cantata/Cantatas | Cantatas | For collections of sacred and secular cantatas for chorus of mixed voices or for various types of chorus (men's, mixed, women's, etc.). |
| Cantatas, Sacred | For sacred cantatas for mixed voices or collections of sacred cantatas for various groups of voices (men's, mixed, women's, etc.). | |
| Cantatas, Secular | For secular cantatas for mixed voices or collections of secular cantatas for various groups of voices (men's, mixed, women's, etc.). | |
| Solo cantatas | For collections of sacred and secular solo cantatas for various ranges of voices (high, low, medium). | |
| Solo cantatas, Sacred | For collections of sacred solo cantatas for various ranges of solo voice (high, low, medium), collections for various combinations of two or more solo voices, or combinations of these types, and individual works for two or more solo voices. Assign an additional heading is assigned for the medium of performance for collections for the same combination of two or more solo voices, and individual works, e.g., 1. Solo cantatas, Sacred. 2. Sacred vocal duets; 1. Solo cantatas, Sacred. 2. Sacred vocal duets with orchestra; 1. Solo cantatas, Sacred. 2. Sacred vocal trios with organ. | |
| Solo cantatas, Secular | For collections of secular solo cantatas for various voice ranges (high, low, medium). | |
| Canticle/Canticles | Canticles | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Canzonet/Canzonets Canzonetta/Canzonettas |
Canzonets (Part songs) | For collections of canzonets and individual canzonets in more than one language. Collections of canzonets and individual canzonets in a single language are entered under the heading qualified by the language, e.g. Canzonets (Part songs), English. |
| Carol/Carols | Carols | For collections of carols in various languages. Collections of carols and individual carols in a single language are entered under the heading qualified by the language, e.g. Carols, English. |
| Cassation/Cassations | Suites | include medium of performance in both when appropriate |
| Catch/Catches | Glees, catches, rounds, etc. | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Chaconne/Chaconnes | Chaconnes | include medium of performance in both when appropriate |
| Chanson/Chansons (14th to 16th centuries) |
Polyphonic chansons | See song for medium of performance for uniform titles; do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Chanson/Chansons | Songs | include medium of performance in both when appropriate |
| Chorale/Chorales | Chorales | include medium of performance in both when appropriate |
| Chorale prelude/Chorale
preludes Choralvorspiel/Choralvorspiele |
Chorale preludes | Implied medium of performance is organ; for other mediums of performance, use the heading followed by the medium, e.g. Chorale preludes (Orchestra) |
| Concertino/Concertinos Concerto/Concertos |
Concertos | For concertos accompanied by full orchestra, use the heading followed by the solo instrument(s) in parentheses, e.g. Concertos (Piano); for concertos with accompaniment of an ensemble other than full orchestra, name the type of ensemble in the parenthetical statement following the word "with," e.g. Concertos (Flute with chamber orchestra) |
| Concerto grosso/Concerti grossi | Concerti grossi | Use for a collections of concerti grossi; for an individual concerto grosso, use the heading "Concertos" with medium of performance. |
| Conductus | Conductus | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Corant/Corants Corrente/Correnti Courante/Courantes |
Courantes | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for courantes for a specific medium. |
| Credo | Credo (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Czarda/Czardas | Czardas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for czardas for a specific medium. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Dance/Dances | Dance music | For collections of miscellaneous dance music; individual dances are entered under headings for the dance form, e.g., Polkas; Waltzes. |
| Divertimento/Divertimenti | Suites | include medium of performance in both when appropriate |
| Duet/Duets Duettino/Duettinos |
Duets | For collections of compositions for various combinations of two instruments; collections of compositions and individual works for the same two specified instruments are entered under medium of performance headings, e.g., Bassoon and piano music; Violin music (Violins (2)); collections of compositions and individual works for 2 unspecified instruments or for 1 specified instrument and 1 unspecified instrument are entered under Duets followed by the medium of performance. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Ecossaise/Ecossaises | Ecossaises | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for ecossaises for a specific medium. |
| Entr'acte/Entr'actes | Entr'acte music | |
| Estudio/Estudios Etude/Etudes Etüde/Etüden |
$v Studies and exercises | For pedagogical works; form subdivision under individual musical instruments and families of instruments |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Fandango/Fandangos | Fandangos | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for fandangos for a specific medium. |
| Fanfare/Fanfares | Fanfares | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for fanfares for a specific medium. |
| Finale/Finales | Finales (Music) | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Foxtrot/Foxtrots | Foxtrots | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for furiants for a specific medium. |
| Fugue/Fugues Fughetta/Fughettas |
Canons, fugues, etc. | For collections of canons, fugues, and similar compositions for various mediums of performance; add medium of performance to this heading for individual canons, fugues, etc. and collections of canons, fugues, etc. for a specific medium of performance. |
| Furiant/Furiants | Furiants | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for furiants for a specific medium. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Galliard/Galliards | Galliards | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for galliards for a specific medium. |
| Galop/Galops | Galops | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for galops for a specific medium. |
| Gavotte/Gavottes | Gavottes | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for gavottes for a specific medium. |
| Gesang/Gesänge | Songs | for works for solo voice, see song for medium of performance for uniform titles; include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Gigue/Gigues | Jigs | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for jigs for a specific medium. |
| Glee/Glees | Glees, catches, rounds, etc. | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Gloria | Gloria in excelsis Deo (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Gradual/Graduals | Graduals (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Habanera/Habanera | Habaneras | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for habaneras for a specific medium. |
| Hornpipe/Hornpipes | Hornpipes | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance. For hornpipes for a specific medium, an additional heading is assigned for the medium of performance. |
| Hymn/Hymns | Hymns | For collections of hymns and hymns of a particular denomination, with qualification, when appropriate, by language, e.g. Hymns, English. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| In nomine/In nomines | In nomine (Music) | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Interlude/Interludes | Interludes (Music) | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Introit/Introits | Introits (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Krakowiak | Krakowiaks | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for krakowiaks for a specific medium. |
| Kyrie | Kyrie eleison (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Ländler | Ländler (Music) | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for Ländler for a specific medium. |
| Laulu/Laulut | Songs | for works for solo voice, see song for medium of performance for uniform titles; include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Lied/Lieder | Songs | for works for solo voice, see song for medium of performance for uniform titles; include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Madrigal/Madrigals | Madrigals | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for madrigals for a specific medium. For madrigals in a single language, qualify the heading by language, e.g. Madrigals, English. |
| Magnificat/Magnificats | Magnificat (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Mambo/Mambos | Mambos (Music) | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for mambos for a specific medium. |
| March/Marches | Marches | include medium of performance in both when appropriate |
| Mass/Masses | Masses | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Mazurka/Mazurkas | Mazurkas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for mazurkas for a specific medium. |
| Mélodie/Mélodies | Songs | for vocal works, see song for medium of performance for uniform titles; include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Minuet/Minuets | Minuets | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for minuets for a specific medium. |
| Miserere | Psalms (Music)--51st
Psalm or Psalms (Music)--57th Psalm |
do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Motet/Motets | Motets | For collections of motets for various mediums of performance; assign an an additional heading for individual motets and collections for a specific medium. |
| Musicals | Musicals | For theatrical productions, principally of 20th century American or British origin, consisting of musical numbers (songs, ensembles, and dances) integrated into a dramatic framework. |
| Revues | For theatrical productions featuring a series of songs, dances, and other entertainments without any unifying dramatic element. | |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Noël/Noëls | Carols, French | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Nonet/Nonets | Nonets | For collections of compositions for nine instruments belonging to various families and in various combinations; for collections of compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for a single combination of nine instruments, and individual works, enter under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier with the names of the instruments; precede the heading with the name of the instrumental family when all are from the same family. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Octet/Octets | Octets | For collections of compositions for eight instruments belonging to various families and in various combinations; for collections of compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for a single combination of eight instruments, and individual works, enter under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier with the names of the instruments; precede the heading with the name of the instrumental family when all are from the same family. |
| Offertory/Offertories | Offertories (Music) | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Overture/Overtures | Overtures | For overtures for orchestra; add medium of performance in parentheses to this heading for overtures for other mediums of performance. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Partita/Partitas | Suites | include medium of performance in both when appropriate |
| Passacaglia/Passacaglias | Passacaglias | For collections of passacaglias for various mediums of performance; add medium of performance in parentheses to this heading for individual passacaglias and collections of passacaglias for a specific medium of performance. |
| Passamezzo/Passamezzos | Passamezzos | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for passamezzos for a specific medium. |
| Passepied/Passepieds | Passepieds | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for passepieds for a specific medium. |
| Pastoral/Pastorals Pastorale/Pastorales |
Pastoral music (Secular) | For instrumental and vocal pastoral(e)s; for sacred pastoral(e)s, assign the appropriate subject heading for the vocal form. |
| Pavan/Pavans | Pavans | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for pavans for a specific medium. |
| Polka/Polkas | Polkas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for polkas for a specific medium. |
| Polonaise/Polonaises | Polonaises | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for polonaises for a specific medium. |
| Potpourri/Potpourris Pot-pourri/Pot-pourris |
Potpourris | For collections of musical potpourris for various mediums of performance; enter individual compositions and collections of potpourris for a single medium of performance under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier indicating the medium. |
| Prélude de choral/Préludes de chorals | Chorale preludes | For compositions originally written or arranged for organ; for other mediums of performance, use the heading followed by the medium, e.g. Chorale preludes (Orchestra) |
| Psalm/Psalms | Psalms (Music) | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; for collections of various Psalms set to music and individual compositions with text from several Psalms; for individual works with text from a single Psalm, indicate the specific Psalm in $v, e.g., Psalms (Music) $v 100th Psalm. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Quadrille/Quadrilles | Quadrilles | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for quadrilles for a specific medium. |
| Quartet/Quartets Quartettino/Quartettinos |
Quartets | For collections of compositions for four instruments belonging to various families and in various combinations; for collections of compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for a single combination of four instruments, and individual works, enter under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier with the names of the instruments; precede the heading with the name of the instrumental family when all are from the same family. |
| Quintet/Quintets Quintettino/Quintettinos |
Quintets | For collections of compositions for five instruments belonging to various families and in various combinations; for collections of compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for a single combination of five instruments, and individual works, enter under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier with the names of the instruments; precede the heading with the name of the instrumental family when all are from the same family. |
| Quodlibet/Quodlibets | Quodlibets (Music) | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for quodlibets for a specific medium. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Rag/Rags | Ragtime music | May be used as a qualifier under headings for certain individual instruments, e.g., Piano music (Ragtime) |
| Requiem/Requiems | Requiems | For requiems for mixed voices and collections of requiems for various groups of voices (men's, mixed, women's, etc.); for individual requiems and collections of requiems for one group of voices, add the name of that vocal group in parentheses, e.g., Requiems (Men's voices) |
| Rhapsody/Rhapsodies | Rhapsodies (Music) | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Rigaudon/Rigaudons | Rigaudons | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for rigaudons for a specific medium. |
| Romance/Romances (instrumental) |
Romances (Music) | include medium of performance in uniform title; subject heading subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for romances for a specific medium |
| Romance/Romances (vocal) |
Songs | See song for medium of performance for uniform titles; include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Rondeau/Rondeaux | Rondeaux (Polyphonic chansons) | do not include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Rondino/Rondinos Rondo/Rondos Rondoletto/Rondolettos |
Rondos | For collections of rondos for various mediums of performance; enter individual compositions and collections of rondos for a single medium of performance under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier indicating the medium. |
| Rumba/Rumbas | Rumbas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for rumbas for a specific medium. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Saltarello/Saltarellos | Saltarellos | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for saltarellos for a specific medium. |
| Salve Regina | Salve Regina (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Samba/Sambas | Sambas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for sambas for a specific medium. |
| Sanctus | Sanctus (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Saraband/Sarabands | Sarabands | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for sarabands for a specific medium. |
| Sardana/Sardanas | Sardanas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for sardanas for a specific medium. |
| Scherzino/Scherzinos Scherzino/Scherzinos Scherzo/Scherzos |
Scherzos | For collections of scherzos for various mediums of performance; enter individual compositions and collections of scherzos for a single medium of performance under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier indicating the medium. |
| Seguidilla/Seguidillas | Seguidillas (Music) | For both instrumental and vocal seguidillas. |
| Septet/Septets | Septets | For collections of compositions for seven instruments belonging to various families and in various combinations; for collections of compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for a single combination of seven instruments, and individual works, enter under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier with the names of the instruments; precede the heading with the name of the instrumental family when all are from the same family. |
| Serenade/Serenades | Suites | For instrumental music. |
| Sevillana/Sevillanas | Sevillanas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for sevillanas for a specific medium. [instructions based on LC practice.] |
| Sextet/Sextets | Sextets | For collections of compositions for six instruments belonging to various families and in various combinations; for collections of compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for a single combination of six instruments, and individual works, enter under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier with the names of the instruments; precede the heading with the name of the instrumental family when all are from the same family. |
| Siciliana/Sicilianas | Sicilianas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for sicilianas for a specific medium. |
| Sinfonia/Sinfonie Sinfonietta/Sinfoniettas |
Symphonies | For symphonies for orchestra; add medium of performance in parentheses to this heading for symphonies for other mediums of performance. |
| Sonata/Sonatas Sonatina/Sonatinas Sonatinetta/Sonatinettas |
Sonatas | For works for one or two solo instruments; for collections of compositions for one or two solo instruments; add medium of performance in parentheses to this heading for individual sonatas and collections of sonatas for a specific medium of performance; sonatas for three or more solo instruments are entered under headings for the medium of performance; for sonatas for two melody instruments and continuo, see trio sonatas. |
| Song/Songs | Songs | See song for medium of performance for uniform titles; include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Stabat Mater | Stabat Mater dolorosa (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Studie/Studien Studio/Studi Study/Studies |
$v Studies and exercises | For pedagogical works; form subdivision under individual musical instruments and families of instruments |
| Suite/Suites | Suites | include medium of performance in both when appropriate |
| Symphony/Symphonies Sinfonietta/Sinfoniettas |
Symphonies | For symphonies for orchestra; add medium of performance in parentheses to this heading for symphonies for other mediums of performance. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Tango/Tangos | Tangos | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for tangos for a specific medium. |
| Tarantella/Tarantellas | Tarantellas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for tarantellas for a specific medium. |
| Te Deum | Te Deum laudamus (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Terzettino/Terzettinos | Trios | For collections of compositions for three instruments belonging to various families and in various combinations; for collections of compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for a single combination of three instruments, and individual works, enter under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier with the names of the instruments; precede the heading with the name of the instrumental family when all are from the same family. |
| Toccata/Toccatas Toccatina/Toccatinas |
Toccatas | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for toccatas for a specific medium. |
| Trio/Trios | Trios | For collections of compositions for three instruments belonging to various families and in various combinations; for collections of compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for a single combination of three instruments, and individual works, enter under this heading followed by a parenthetical qualifier with the names of the instruments; precede the heading with the name of the instrumental family when all are from the same family. |
| Trio sonata/Trio sonatas | Trio sonatas | For collections of trio sonatas for two melody instruments and continuo; add medium of performance to this heading for individual trio sonatas and collections of trio sonatas for two specific melody instruments and continuo; for sonatas for one or two solo instruments, see sonatas. |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Variation/Variations | Variations | For collections of variations for various mediums of performance; add medium of performance to this heading for individual variations and collections of variations for a specific medium of performance. |
| Vesper/Vespers | Vespers (Music) | do not include medium of performance to either; medium of performance may be used in uniform title to resolve conflicts |
| Villancico/Villancicos | Villancicos (Music) | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; villancicos for a specific medium, assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for villancicos for a specific medium, e.g. Part songs, Spanish. |
| Villanella/Villanelle | Villanelle (Part songs) | For vocal works. |
| Vocalise/Vocalises | Vocalises | See song for medium of performance for uniform titles; include medium of performance in the subject heading |
| Type | Subject heading | Comments* |
| Waltz/Waltzes | Waltzes | subject heading not qualified by medium of performance; assign an additional heading for the medium of performance for waltzes for a specific medium. |
Comments to Mickey Koth Yale
University Music Library