The Index Database currently contains ca. 200,630 records, with over 20
fields of information: names (composers, poets, librettists, editors); titles and
alternate titles; language of text and text incipit; performing forces (medium);
identifying numbers (item numbers, opus/thematic catalogue numbers, key); formats (full
score, piano vocal score, parts, etc.); language; presence of non-standard clefs; figured
bass and how treated; duration of piece (if given in item); genres; musical incipit (if
needed for identification); citations for performing editions based on the main work; and
RISM source numbers. The Index Database is linked to the Bibliography Database (ca.
9,300 citations as contained in Collected Editions, Historical Series & Sets &
Monuments of Music: A Bibliography, by George R. Hill and Norris L. Stephens
[Berkeley: Fallen Leaf Press, 1997]). This database is searchable by composer, title, and
series name and number. Linking the Bibliography and Index records is a standard edition
number. From the Bibliography record, this number allows users to view all index entries
for a particular title. From an Index record, this number enables users to link to the
Bibliography title for quick searching in library catalogues.
The Names Database currently contains around 20,000 names with three times as
many cross-references (alternate forms of the names). The names, whether for composer,
librettist, poet, or editor, have been established by researching the scholarly literature
to determine the most complete form based on the latest published research. Many of the
cross-references are based on those established by the Library of Congress.
Currently, the Index to Printed Music includes approximately
135,000 index entries. Recently, the Music Library Association received a grant from the
Mellon Foundation to support the development of the database. This three-year grant will
enable the project to complete the indexing of the music listed in the bibliography Collected
editions, historical series & sets & monuments of music : a bibliography, by
George R. Hill and Norris L. Stephens, and to add additional titles to the
bibliography and complete their indexing. IPM is a project of the
not-for-profit organization named the James Adrian Music Company, of which George R. Hill
is president. Other major participants in the work include Zdravko Blazekovic, Joseph M.
Boonin, James P. Cassaro, Mary W. Davidson, Elizabeth A. Davis, Paul R. Emmons, Barbara A.
Renton, Gordon S. Rowley, and Norris L. Stephens. It is expected that the number of index
entries will more than double over the next three years.
The Index to Printed Music is based on a methodology
developed by prominent musicologists and librarians. It has received support from the
National Endowment for the Humanities. |
