Music Subject Cataloging
Music Subject Cataloging
The basics ||
Initial element: Choice
of term
Medium of performance:
Name of instrument :
Standard chamber combinations : Order
of instruments : Number of instruments/voices :
Medium of performance with two elements : with
three or more elements : When to omit
medium of performance
Arrangements ||
Language ||
Selections
| The uniform title is based on the composer's title, using AACR2rev Chapter 25. | The subject heading is formulated by using LCSH and the Subject Cataloging Manual. | ||||
| One work has only one unique title for it. | One work may require more than one subject heading to completely describe the work. | ||||
| A uniform title is unique to one work; it cannot be assigned to another work. | A subject heading may be assigned to as many works as it applies. | ||||
See also Types of composition and LC subject headings |
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| Generic titles: Using the term the composer used, follow AACR2, Chapter 25 and consult the list of type of compositions for use in music uniform titles for the term to use in the uniform title; giving it in the plural if the composer wrote more than one of that type. | Use the term for the type of composition when it is found in LCSH. It will usually be given in the plural form. | ||||
| Uniform titles beginning with "Trio(s)," "Quartet(s)," "Quintet(s)," etc. are not modified by name of the instrument family. | Subject headings beginning with "Trios," "Quartets," "Quintets," etc. are modified by name of instrument family when applicable. | ||||
| Symphonies same as | Symphonies | ||||
| Canons not same as | Canons, fugues, etc. | ||||
| The vocal types "Songs," "Cantatas," "Choruses," etc. are not given designation of secular or sacred use. | The vocal subject headings "Songs," "Solo cantatas," "Cantatas," "Choruses," "Part songs," etc. can be given designation of secular or sacred use. See also Subject Headings for Vocal Music | ||||
| "Duet(s)" is used when it is the composer's title. | "Duets" is used as a subject heading only for works for unspecified instrument(s) or for secular vocal duets. | ||||
"Sonata(s)" is used when it is the composer's
title, regardless of the number of instruments*:
*An exception to this is for a 17th- or 18th-century work for 2 treble instruments and continuo. Even when the composer gave it the title "Sonata," the initial element will be "Trio sonata(s)" |
"Sonatas" as a subject heading
is used for works for one to two instruments only. Works given the title
"Sonata" that are for more than two instruments are assigned medium of
performance subject headings:
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Some terms that are types of
compositions in uniform titles:
|
are not used as subject headings
because they do not appear in LCSH:
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Some terms that are types of
compositions in uniform titles:
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cannot be qualified by instrumentation
as a subject heading:
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| Chamber orchestra is designated as "orchestra" | Chamber orchestra can be specifically named. | ||||
The terms "alto," "tenor," "bass,"
or "contrabass" are not given for instruments such as flute, clarinet, bassoon,
recorder, saxophone, etc.:
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The terms "alto," "tenor," "bass,"
"contrabass," or "contra " are
given for instruments such as flute, clarinet, bassoon, and trombone in subject
headings for works for one or two solo instruments.
In works for three or more instruments, the generic term "flute," "clarinet," or "bassoon" is used:
The terms "alto," "tenor," "bass," or "contrabass" are not used for recorder, saxophone, viol, etc. |
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| Keyboard music | Keyboard instrument music | ||||
| There are seven standard
chamber combinations: ° string trio (violin, viola, violoncello ° string quartet (2 violins, viola, violoncello) ° woodwind quartet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon) ° wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn) ° piano trio (piano, violin, violoncello) ° piano quartet (piano, violin, viola, violoncello) ° piano quintet (piano, 2 violins, viola, violoncello) |
There are five standard
chamber combinations used in subject headings: ° string trio (violin, viola, violoncello) ° string quartet (2 violins, viola, violoncello) ° piano trio (piano, violin, violoncello) ° piano quartet (piano, violin, viola, violoncello) ° piano quintet (piano, 2 violins, viola, violoncello) Note that woodwind quartets and wind quintets are not used as standard chamber combinations for subject headings. |
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| Add in score order, following
25.30B1: ° voices ° keyboard instrument, when there is more than one non-keyboard instrument ° all other instruments in score order ° continuo |
Add in prescribed order, by the
following categories, in alphabetical order within categories except for
strings: (See also The order of instruments
in subject headings) ° keyboard instruments ° wind instruments ° plectral instruments ° percussion and other instruments ° bowed string instruments (in score order) ° unspecified instruments ° continuo |
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| When the work is for one keyboard instrument and one other instrument, name the solo instrument first. | When the keyboard or plectral instrument plays a chordal role, name the solo instrument first. | ||||
| When the work is for one keyboard instrument and two or more other instruments, follow the order in 25.30B1. | When the work is for one keyboard instrument and two or more other instruments, follow the prescribed order. | ||||
| Indicate the number of instruments when more than one only when it cannot be inferred from the uniform title. | Always indicate the number of instruments when each is specified in the subject heading. | ||||
| The number of vocal parts in choruses is not specified. | The number of vocal parts in choruses may be indicated under certain circumstances. (See Those Darn Chorus Subject Headings! for more information) | ||||
| When the work is for one keyboard instrument and one other instrument, name the solo instrument first. | When the keyboard or plectral instrument plays a chordal role, name the solo instrument first. | ||||
| When the work is for one keyboard instrument and two or more other instruments, follow the order in 25.30B1. | When the work is for one keyboard instrument and two or more other instruments, follow the prescribed order. | ||||
| The "rule of three" (use only three names of specific instruments, or instrument families) applies except when the first word of the title is Trio(s), Quartet(s), or Quintet(s) | Up to nine instruments may be included in headings for specific forms when LCSH allows for the medium to be included or in headings such as Trios, etc., Brass trios, etc. | ||||
When the initial title element
is "Trio(s)," "Quartet(s)," etc., and all the instruments are from the same
instrument family, the initial title element is not to be qualified by the
name of the instrument family:
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When the initial title element
is "Trios," "Quartets," etc., and all the instruments are from the same
instrument family, the initial element can be qualified by the name of the
instrument family:
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When the initial title element
is other than "Trio(s)," "Quartet(s)," or "Quintet(s)," the rule of three
may require grouping instruments by family name:
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Each instrument is specified in
subject headings for two to nine instruments, with no grouping by instrument
family:
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This is frequently the same for both uniform titles and subject headings, but may also differ. |
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| Symphonies (orchestra is
implied) Chorale preludes (organ is implied) Concertos, violin, orchestra Songs (voice and piano is implied) Songs,  m guitar acc. (voice is
implied) |
Symphonies (orchestra is
implied) Chorale preludes (organ is implied) Concertos (Violin) (orchestral accompaniment is implied) Songs (High voice) with piano Songs (High voice with guitar |
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When the specific voice type is
known, it is designated:
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Even when the specific voice type
is known, give the vocal range only:
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| The uniform title is for the work in its original medium of performance. | The subject heading is for the work in its arranged medium of performance. | ||||
| Designation of arrangement can
be added in o to all uniform
titles. |
Designation of arrangement can be added to subject headings as the qualifier "Arranged" to headings for instrumental music only | ||||
| Language is used only when a translation is involved. | Language is frequently given in certain vocal music headings, even when there is no translation. | ||||
| "k
Selections" is used with three or more unnumbered or non-consecutively numbered
parts of one work by one composer. It can be added to any applicable uniform
title, except the collective title "Selections." |
The subdivision
"v Excerpts" can be used for one
or more parts from one or more works by one or more composers. It is used
only with form headings (Sonatas, Symphonies, etc.), but
not with medium of performance headings (Trios, Quartets, Flute
music, Orchestral music, etc.) |
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Comments to Mickey Koth Yale
University Music Library