Finding Music Scores: Monuments & Collected Works

Collected works are sets of printed music of one composer’s complete works (browse the M3 scores). They have been compiled by scholarly editors to try to give the closest indication of what the composer truly intended. Critical commentary is included that discusses any alterations in accidentals, notes, ornaments, and so forth. The editors refer to any manuscript sources available and also research whether the composer later made changes (such as notes or cuts, etc.). These editions are also sometimes called ‘complete editions’ or ‘Gesamtausgabe’. Music monuments are collected editions that focus on a particular country, region, or type of music rather than a single composer (browse the M1-M2 scores).

See Sydney Robinson Charles, et al. "Editions, historical." Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, accessed June 26, 2015,
http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/08552 for more information (Sign-in required from off-campus).

First, know the title of the work and composer.  Need help identifying this information?  Use Grove Music Online (part of the Oxford Music Online database) to do a search for more prominent composers. Scroll to the top of the article about the composer and select the "Works" tab under the entry for the composer. This page contains information on each of the composer’s works. If you are having trouble finding the piece you need, ask a Performing Arts Librarian for help.

1. Open the KentLINK advanced keyword search.
2. In the first search box, type the composer’s name (last name, first) and choose “Author” for the field type.
3. In the second search box, type the title, opus number and/or catalog number and choose “Title” for the field type.
4. In the third search box, type the word “works”  and choose “Title” for the field type.
5. Limit search to printed music, click on "Other Material Type" menu and select "Music Score."
6. Click “Submit.”