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Introduction to Music Research

Understanding Collected Editions and Monuments

Collected Editions: Often called "critical editions", these are complete, scholarly collections of works by a single composer. They may include critical commentary, significant historical context, and facsimiles of manuscripts to supplement the works contained in each volume. These are classed in 780.

Facsimiles: These are high-quality (and usually very expensive) scans of composers' original manuscripts. These are especially useful when researching the genesis of a particular piece or tracking the evolution of a composer. Facsimiles are generally classed in 780, but you can quickly find them with a "facsimiles" subject search.

Monuments: These are scholarly anthologies of works that fall under a broad theme or subject, usually by geographical region and/or type of music. These are classed in 780.82.

Examples