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Search by composer

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Search by keyword

Perform a word search in MaagNet. This type of search is very useful for browsing the collection. For example, a keyword search using the terms “symphonies” and “Beethoven” would retrieve records for all the scores and recordings we have of Beethoven’s symphonies.

Search by title

In music, we have something called a uniform title. The uniform title gives us a method to identify works that may be known by more than one name. For example, some people refer to Beethoven’s sixth symphony as the pastoral symphony.

There are two basic types of uniform titles: generic and distinctive.
  • I Generic uniform titles are used for specific genres, such as symphonies, and contain the following elements:
  • A Form of the piece: the name of the composition in the english plural form, unless the composer only wrote one piece of this type.
  • • Example: Symphonies
  • B Medium: the medium of performance, unless it is implied by the title or not specified.
  • 1 The medium will be listed in this order:
    • a Voices
  • b Keyboard Instrument—if there is more than one non-keyboard instrument
    • c Other instruments according to score order d Continuo
  • • Example: Sonatas, Piano
  • 2 If there is more than one of an instrument, the number is given after its media in parentheses.
  • • Example: Sonatas, Flutes(2)
  • 3 An exception to this rule is the standard combination of instruments, such as trios, piano which always consist of a piano, a viloin and a cello.
  • 4 C Numbering in uniform titles consists of three types. More than one of these may appear in a composition’s uniform title.
  • 1 Serial Numbers
  • • Example: Sonatas, Piano,no.2
  • 2 Opus Numbers
  • • Example: Sonatas, Piano, no.2, op.3
  • 3 Thematic Index numbers, such as the Kochel numbers used for Mozart
  • • Example: Concertos, Horn, K.386b
  • D Key: includes the major or minor mode for most works written prior to the 20th century, and works from the 20th century if the key is conspicuous on the item.
  • • Example: Symphonies, no. 6, op. 68, F major
  • E Collected or Complete works: a composer’s collected or complete works will have the generic uniform title works.
  • II Distinctive uniform titles are indicated when a composer uses a name for a piece that is not indicative of its form. In that instance, the distinctive title in its original language is used as the uniform title.
  • • Example: Zauberflote

If you would like to learn more about uniform titles, you may wish to view a detailed description at Indiana University's Cook Music Library.

  • • To search only for scores or sound recordings:
  • - Perform your search.
  • - When your results appear on the screen, click the Limit this search button.
  • - To limit to scores:
  • • Pull down the material type menu
  • • Select printed music
  • • Click the limit/sort button
  • - To limit to sound recordings:
  • • Pull down the material type menu
  • • Select either audio CD or audio LP/tape
  • • Click the limit/sort button