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Finding Basic Music Reference Materials
The reference section in Halvorson Music Library contains many basic materials to assist you
with locating general information and/or gaining an overview about a topic, composer, performer,
and more. These materials are usually authoritative and "trustworthy". Articles within reference materials often contain useful bibliographies which can
assist you with finding more information!
Encyclopedias and Dictionaries:
The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. New York: Gardand, 1998. 10 vols. [Music Library Reference ML 100.G16 1998]
An excellent starting place for research about world music. Volumes include Africa (v.1), South America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (v.2), The United States and Canada (v.3), Southeast Asia (v.4), South Asia: The Indian Subcontinent (v.5), The Middle East (v.6), East Asia: China, Japan, Korea (v.7), Europe (v.8), Australia and the Pacific Islands (v.9), and General Perspectives (v.10). Substantial scholarly articles, complete with bibliographies and illustrations, are provided. The index provides access to information on specific regions or ethnic groups. The library also owns accompanying CD recordings.
New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd ed. 29 vols.
Stanley Sadie, ed. London: Macmillan, 2001
[Music Library Reference ML100.N48 2001 and online]
- The most comprehensive, scholarly and authoritative general encyclopedia of music in the English language. Use the lists of composers' works following articles about them to locate specific works within
collected sets of composers' complete works.
New Harvard Dictionary of Music.
Ed. by Don Randel. Cambridge: Belknap, 1986.
[Music Library Reference ML 100.A64 1986]
-The basic dictionary of terms in music. Emphasizes the historical point of view and does not include
biographical information. Bibliographies at the end of articles may be helpful for further research.
Biographical Sources:
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. 6 vols.
Centennial ed. rev. by N. Slonimsky. NY: Schirmer Books, 2001.
[Music Library Reference ML 105.B2 2001]
- A useful and reliable dictionary offering concise biographical information about musicians from all times
and places. Not a source for complete information, but a handy quick reference tool. Major works by
composers are listed. Check out the editor's entry about himself if in need of a chuckle.
International Who's Who in Music and Musician's Directory .
Cambridge: International Bibliographical Centre..
[Music Library Reference ML 105.I58]
- Contains information about only those people still active in music. Includes brief biographical data and
addresses for composers, educators, musicologists, private teachers, and performers. Coverage is somewhat
sporadic. Appendices list professional orchestras, opera companies, festivals, musical organizations,
competitions and awards, and music libraries and conservatories.
Vol. 1 covers classical and light classical music; vol. 2 popular. |
