Organ Subject Guide
Browsing
Because printed music and books are classified--i.e., grouped with similar items on the shelves--browsing can be an effective method for finding material. Look on the shelves for items that start with the following numbers:
- 16 = Organ music
- ML550 ML649 = Organ history
- MT180 MT191 = Organ instruction, methods
Finding printed music or recordings of a specific piece of music
- Use an AUTHOR search in WNCLN's Library Catalog , using composer's last name and first name. Arrangement of a composer's works is by UNIFORM TITLE.
Uniform titles are either DISTINCTIVE titles in the original language, or GENERIC titles, which begin with form or genre, and followed by performance medium, serial or opus or thematic catalogue number, and key:
- "Corps glorieux" [for work by Messiaen]
- "Concertos, organ, orchestra, op. 4" [for Handel organ concertos]
You may wish to limit your results to "music, printed" for scores or "sound cd" for compact discs.
- For shorter works, do a TITLE search in WNCLN's Library Catalog ; if that retrieves nothing or only a few items, you may also try a KEYWORD search.
Finding music in a specific category
Do a SUBJECT search in WNCLN's Library Catalog , using terms found in Library of Congress Subject Headings , for example:
- Sonatas (Organ)
- Organ music
Finding information about the instrument
Do a SUBJECT search in WNCLN's Library Catalog using the name of the instrument.
Basic reference tools
The following titles will be useful in tracking down information about the organ and its repertoire.
- Arnold, C. R. Organ Literature: A Comprehensive Survey. (3rd ed.) Music Ref ML 600 .A76 1995
- v. 1: Historical Survey
- v. 2: Biographical [and bibliographical] Catalog
- Edson, J.S. Organ Preludes: An Index to Compositions on Hymn Tunes, Chorales, Plainsong Melodies, Gregorian Tunes and Carols. (1970) Music Ref ML 128 .O6 E4 + Suppl.
- Heinrich, Adel. Organ and Harpsichord Music by Women Composers Music. Ref. ML 128 .O6 O73 1991
- Liebenow, Walther M. Rank on Rank: A Bibliography of the History and Construction of Organs. (1973) Music Ref ML 128 .O6 L5
- Music-In-Print Online (http://www.emusicinprint.com/aog1a.lasso)
- Spelman, Leslie P. Organ Plus: A Catalogue of Ensemble Music for Organ and Instruments. Music Ref ML 128 .O6 S7 1977
Journals
- American Organist
- The Diapason
Internet sources
- Pipe Organ Education Project
(http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~bodinew/)
- DW3: Genres - Instruments - Organ
(http://www.lib.duke.edu/dw3)
- Indiana University School of Music Library "Instruments" (http://www.music.indiana.edu/music_resources/instr.html)
scroll down to "Keyboard and Dulcimer"