Many musical works have titles that actually are the names of
forms or types of compositions ("sonatas,"
"concertos," "symphonies," and so forth).
In these cases, the name of the form of the work is used as the
first word of the uniform title. In the introductory Mozart concerto
examples you saw that each uniform title began with the word "Concertos":
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791.
Concertos, piano, orchestra, K. 488, A major
Concerto in A major for piano, K. 488 ….
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791.
Concertos, piano, orchestra, K. 488, A major
Konzert A Dur, K. 488, fur Klavier ….
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791.
Concertos, piano, orchestra, K. 488, A major
Piano concerto in A major, K. 488 ….
Note: The plural form ("Concertos") is used if the composer wrote more than one work in the form; singular form ("Concerto") is used if the composer produced only one work in the form. If you are unsure about the extent of a composer's output in this respect, try reformulating your search argument in the alternative noun form if your first search produces no results.
Some other form names commonly used in uniform titles are:
Following the name of the form in the uniform title come the names of the instruments (or voices) that perform the work:
| Quartets, strings, no. 3 | String quartets, no. 3 |
| Sonatas, flute, piano | Flute, piano sonatas |
| Concertos, piano, orchestra | Piano concertos |
| Variations, piano | Piano variations |
Sometimes the medium of performance is implied by the name of the form. For example, "Symphonies" implies performance by an orchestra; "Songs" implies performance by a solo voice with keyboard accompaniment. In such cases the names of the performing instruments or voices are omitted from the uniform title:
| Symphonies, no. 5 | Symphonies, orchestra, no. 5 |
| Songs | Songs, voice, piano |
| Chorale preludes | Chorale preludes, organ |
After the name of the form and the medium of performance (if necessary), appropriate number(s) and key (tonality) are added as required to identify the individual composition, and to complete the uniform title. The numbering may be sequential ("Symphonies, no. 3"), or may be a number scheme particularly associated with the works of the composer
Schubert, Franz, 1797-1828.
Quartets, strings, D.173, G minor ... ("Deutsch" catalog number and key signature)
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791.
Concertos, piano, orchestra, K. 488, A major ... ("Kochel" catalog number and key signature)
Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827.
Symphonies, no. 5, op. 67, C minor ... (Symphony number, opus number, and key signature)
NOTE: In the final example it is unnecessary to name the orchestra as the performing ensemble, because it is implied by the name of the form, "Symphonies".
Warning! Some compositions in this category are also known by popular, descriptive names, like Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata for piano, or Haydn's "Surprise" Symphony. Such as name is not used in a uniform title unless it is the composer's own, original title for the work. Do not be fooled. But if you do not know for sure the composer's original title, or if by error you search under a popular title, you will retrieve only those editions for which the popular title actually is printed on the publication. Other editions that omit the popular title, or print it in a different language, will not be found. A cross reference in the catalog often will lead you to the correct uniform title, as in the following examples:
Alternatively, if you perform a keyword search using a popular title ("k=[popular title]"), the catalog will retrieve any editions of the work that use the popular title on the title page. This record will include the correct uniform title of the work, which you can use to perform a title search ("t=[uniform title]") to retrieve all editions of the work that are held by the library.
If you remember the order of the elements of a form-type uniform title, you should not go wrong.
Name of the key signature is omitted if the tonality of the work is ambiguous.
Now for a brief quiz on what you have learned about form uniform titles. In the following examples, use the mouse to select the correct uniform title from the options offered.
Cook Music Library