In this LibGuide you will find information about searching for sheet music in the collections of Utrecht University Library, but also in collections outside Utrecht.
The LibGuide focuses mainly on searching for sheet music in relation to scholarly research and to a lesser extent on sheet music for particular casts or occasions.
Sheet music that is digitally available is particularly copyright free sheet music, so usually works or editions dating back seventy years or more.
PLEASE NOTE: these older editions often do not meet the scientific insights of today. However, in the collection of Musicology you will find sheet music editions which are up to date with the current scientific views.
Major databases:
In WorldCat you can search for sheet music available in Utrecht University Library, but also find out what material can be found in other libraries. There are several ways to search for sheet music in WorldCat.
Enter search terms in the search bar on the start screen. You will get a list of results (titles). Next you can select Format in the left side bar and tick the box Musical score.
Do you want to know what the University Library holds? Select Library at Utrecht University Library. Please take care to uncheck the box Group related editions. Now the results are limited to the material of Utrecht University Library. Do you need more information about a title? Click on the title and next on Description.
Do you want to know what is available in the Netherlands? At Library select Libraries in The Netherlands. To know which library holds a specific title, click on the title in question and next on Availibility.
You may also select the Advanced Search option and limit the search results in the same way.
Sheet music is arranged by format.
| Shelf mark | |
|---|---|
| Pa 4 | Large score |
| Pa 8 | Small score ("pocket score") |
| Kam | Chamber music |
| Klav | Keyboard music |
| Klav obl | Keyboard music oblong |
| Kl uittr | Piano reduction |
| Zg | Vocals |
| Serie | General works per composer, genre or period of time |
Older and less used material is stored in the depositories and can be requested.
Not all libraries are included in WorldCat. A major Dutch music library that is missing in WorldCat is the (former) Muziekbibliotheek van de Omroep ('Music library of the Dutch National Broadcasting Company'). This library holds the archive of the arrangements for the Dutch broadcast ensembles from around 1940 onwards. Unfortunately the library cannot be visited at the moment. However, the catalogue remains available and is a good aid when you want to find out if there is a chance that material not found in other Dutch libraries is available in the Netherlands after all.
A part of the collection is digitised and available via Muziekschatten.
You can use thematic catalogues (such as the oeuvre catalogue of Johann Sebastian Bach with BWV numbers) to find out more about a composition, for instance an opus number. Also in Grove Music Online, part of Oxford Music Online, an overview of works is given arranged by composer. Many scores of lesser known composers have never been printed, but only exist as manuscripts. In Grove Music Online or RISM Online Catalogue of Musical Sources you can often discover if a printed version is available. These catalogues also tell you where to find manuscripts.
