Using Uniform Titles: Additions to Uniform Titles

Any uniform title (form, distinctive, or collective) may have additions at the end in order to distinguish between editions. Five additions are encountered frequently in the catalog:

• "Selections"
• "arr." (abbreviation for "arranged")
• "Vocal score" or "Chorus score"
• "Libretto" or "Text"
• Language(s) of translation(s) from the original language

"Selections" - indicates that the edition or recording contains only a portion of the work(s) described in the first part of the uniform title.

Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827.
Piano music. Selections

· Used for a collection of three or more solo piano works by Beethoven, in various forms, but not including all of the piano works.

Schumann, Robert, 1810-1856.
Dichterliebe. Selections

· Used for a collection of three or more songs from the sixteen-song cycle Dichterliebe, but not containing the complete cycle.

"arr.": (abbreviation for "arranged") - The music has been arranged for a different medium of performance, or a different purpose, than originally intended by the composer. One of the most frequent uses of "arr." in uniform titles is with editions of works for instrumental soloist(s) and orchestra, where the orchestral accompaniment is arranged for a keyboard instrument.

Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897.
Concertos, piano, orchestra, no. 1, op. 15, D minor; arr.

· Used for an edition for solo piano, with the orchestra part arranged for accompanying piano.

Joplin, Scott, 1868-1917.
Entertainer; arr.

· Used for an edition of Joplin's ragtime piano work, arranged for something other than piano.

"Vocal score": - A work originally composed for voice(s) and instrumental ensemble (usually an orchestra), where the music for accompanying instruments is arranged for a keyboard instrument. Commonly used for editions of operas, oratorios, etc., intended for study and rehearsal use by the singers.

Bizet, Georges, 1838-1875.
Carmen. Vocal score

· Used for an edition of the complete music of the opera, but with the orchestra music arranged for piano.

"Chorus score": - Similar to "Vocal score," but only the chorus parts (no solo voices) are printed, and the accompaniment is arranged for piano or omitted entirely.

Kodaly, Zoltan, 1882-1967.
Psalmus hungaricus. Chorus score

· Used for an edition that prints only the chorus music for this work originally composed for tenor solo, chorus, and orchestra.

"Libretto": - The edition includes the words of a large vocal work such as a opera or oratorio, but not the music.

Bizet, Georges, 1838-1875.
Carmen. Libretto

· Used for a book that includes only the words of the opera.

"Text" or "Texts": - The edition includes the words only of smaller vocal works, such as a song, song cycle, or song collection.

Schubert, Franz, 1797-1828.
Songs. Texts

· Used for a book that contains only the words of all the songs of Schubert.

Language(s) of translation(s): - The name(s)of the language(s) is/are added for an edition of a vocal work that includes a translation of the text from the original language.

Bizet, Georges, 1838-1875.
Carmen. Vocal score. English & French

· Used for an edition for voices and piano of the complete opera, with text in the original French, and an English translation provided.

Bizet, Georges, 1838-1875.
Carmen. English

· Used for a score containing the text of the complete opera in English translation, without the original French text, or for a recording which is sung in English.