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- 114 Songs
- A collection of 114 songs set by Charles Ives, with lyrics by Ives and others. The back of the book contains a philosophical essay by Ives.
- Achilles. An opera.
- John Gay is credited with inventing the ballad opera, a genre that blends spoken plays and previously composed songs to new texts. Although The Beggar’s Opera (1728) was his most successful endeavor, he continued to compose English musical dramas. Achilles was finally performed in 1733, one year after Gay died. In this story, Achilles appears as a girl named Pyrrha, unknown to most of the inhabitants of the island of Scyros, in order to circumvent a prediction that he will die in battle. Deidamia (the king’s daughter) knows the secret, however, because she is carrying the disguised man’s child. After Achilles’s identity is revealed, he and Deidamia are able to wed. Then, in a fateful twist of irony, Achilles plans to join the Greeks in the Trojan War.
- Acis and Galatea
- This is a ca. 1743 score of Acis and Galatea, a musical masque (also considered an English pastoral opera) by Handel to a libretto by John Gay. The performance forces include: oboes (2), flauto [recorder], violins, basso continuo, and chorus of mixed voices (mostly soprano, three tenors and bass) and vocal soloists. On the front cover the name Morgan appears imprinted on a red stamp with golden ornaments and letters. The names Anna Maria [Lawes] and Mary Anne Morgan were written at the top of the title page and the inscription, "the gift [of] her uncle T. Morgan, 1808." Underneath the dedication: WH London, 1890.
- Airs russes: fantaisie for the piano forte, op.43
- Music score for Airs russes: fantaisie, written for the piano forte, part of opus 43 by Leopold von Meyer.
- Alexander's Feast or the Power of Musick.
- A secular choral work in two parts for four soloists (SSTB) and mixed chorus (SATB) with orchestra acc. (2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 trumpets, 3 violins, viola, violoncello, and continuo). The names of the vocal soloists (Mr. [John] Beard, Signora [Anna Maria] Strada, Miss. [Cecilia] Young, and Mr. Erard) are printed at the top of their designated songs.
- Andante for the piano forte, op. 42
- Musical score of "Andante for the piano forte", part of opus 42 by Leopold von Meyer.
- Artaxerxes. An English opera.
- 1763 English libretto for Thomas Arne's opera Artaxerxes. Thomas Arne most likely wrote his own libretto for Artaxerxes, which enjoyed a successful run at Covent Garden beginning on 2 February 1762. Artaxerxes follows the structure of Metastasio’s Italian libretto on the same subject; no other English-language opera has been recognized as following the principles of Metastasian opera seria.
- Aurora che Sorgereai with Brilliant Variations for the PIano Forte
- This is a digital copy of the ca. 1830 edition of Henri Herz's Brilliant variations for the piano forte on the cavatina "Aurora che sorcerai" from Rossini's two-act melodrama "La donna del lago," (i.e., The lady of the lake). The library's copy is part of a bound collection of piano music by variopus nineteenth-century composers. The pianist, and Herz's friend, Franz Hünten adapted several passages of the music to suit the range of the contemporaneous piano fortes. A note on the t.p. indicates that "Mrs. [Lucy] Anderson had the distinguished honor of performing this piece before their Majesties at Brighton." Plate no. 476.
- Beggar's opera
- This is a 1735 fourth ed. of the three-act ballad opera "The beggar's opera" by John Christopher Pepusch and John Gay. It includes the score for the overture (for violins (2), viola, and bass ensemble) and the melodies of each song. The inscription, "Nos haec novimus esse nihil" (transl. as, We know these to be nothing) that appears on the t.p. is an epigram by Marcus Valerius Martialis from his Books of Epigrams. On the back of the t.p. appears the advertisement of these works printed by John Watts: Fifty one new fables in verse; The tunes to the songs in the Beggar's Opera, transposed for the flute; and Gay's opera "Achilles." A table of songs shows the first lines of text for each act. The item includes a list of characters.
- Belshazzar : a sacred Oratorio in Score
- A sacred oratorio in three acts for soloists and mixed chorus (SATB) with orchestra acc. (2 oboes, 2 violins, viola, and basso continuo). A contents index is given on p. 219. According to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Handel composed this oratorio from 23 August - 23 October 1744. Charles Jennens wrote the libretto on the Biblical story of the downfall of the King of Babylon with details taken from "Cyropaedia" (a political romance about the education of an ideal ruler) by Herodotus and Xenophon's.
- The Booke of Common Prayer
- 1611 edition of the Book of Common Prayer, with psalms. The psalms include incipits in Latin, and occasional notated settings, along with the traditional canticles (Benedictus, Magnificat, Nunc Dimmitis) for morning, evening, and night prayer, Te Deum, the Athanasian Creed, and other hymns and prayers.
- Booke of Common Prayer and The Whole book of Psalmes
- A 1611 Booke of Common Prayer, bound with a 1609 book of Psalms with notated settings, "collected into English meeter by Thomas Sternhold."
- Brooklyn Academy of Music: a brief address and ten plates
- Architectural drawings for a planned new building for the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It is addressed first to subscribers, but also to the residents of Brooklyn, in an appeal for funding and support. The copy includes a cover letter dated October 12, 1905, addressed to Mr. Hosmer B. Parsons.
- Cathedral Chants
- A collection of Anglican chants, harmonized and with figured bass, without words. This item is numbered as copy 567, and is signed by the editors. Substantial space is given to a list of subscribers, and brief biographical information on the composers.
- The Child of the Regiment
- An arrangement the aria Quand le destin with English and Italian lyrics. A color lithograph on the cover depicts Jenny Lind.
- The choral tribute: a collection of new church music, for choirs, singing schools, conventions, &c.
- No Description Available.
- A compendium of practical music in five parts, Teaching, by a new and easie method
- A compendium of practical music in five parts, Teaching, by a new and easie method, 1. The rudiments of song, 2. The principles of composition, 3. The use of discords, 4. The form of figurate descant, 5. The contrivance of canon, Together with lessons for viols, &c., third edition. First published under the title "The principles of practical musick."
- Daisy: Opera in Two Acts
- This is the original conductor's score for the opera "Daisy" including the vocal parts as well as instrumental lines for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horns, trumpets, bass trombone, timpani and percussion, harp and piano, violin, viola, cello, and string bass. The introductory pages at the start of the score include acknowledgements and synopsis by Professor Kenneth L. Ballenger, the cast of characters and scene list (5 scenes). There is an index to the scenes for each act following their title pages (before page 1 for Act I and before page 262 for Act II).
- The Day-spring, or, Union collection of songs for the sanctuary
- "Compiled by Sylvester Main from the already published works of the late I.B. Woodbury as well as from much choice manuscript music found in his portfolio at his death, together with copious contributions from the first living authors." The beginning of the collection includes brief instruction in the fundamentals of music and choral singing.
- Devil to pay: or, The wives metamorphos'd
- English libretto to Charles Coffey's ballad opera The devil to pay or, The wives metamorphos'd. The Devil to Pay is an adaptation of Thomas Jevon’s play The Devil of a Wife (1686). Nearly fifty years later, the ballad opera appeared at Drury Lane with Charles Coffey and John Mottley each responsible for half of the three acts. However, a much shorter and more well-received one-act version, edited by Theophilus Cibber, is represented in the printed libretto. Today Coffey is generally the only name widely attached to The Devil to Pay. The opera’s popularity is attested by the frequent performances and a translation into German, which contributed to the development of the Singspiel.
- Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Volume 1
- This is a copy of the first volume of "Dictionary of Music and Musicians," edited by Sir George Grove. This volume, published in 1879, is an encyclopedic work that contains the biographies of well-known composers as well as articles contributed by various authors on music topics, concepts and definitions starting alphabetically from: "A" (i.e., the sixth note in the scale of C major) to "I" (impromptu). The names of contributing authors appear in a list on pp.[vii]-viii), signed "Bedford Street, Covent Garden, April 1, 1879." The titles of volumes I and II, indicate that the dictionary was issued in three volumes. However, the titles of the third and fourth volumes changed that statement to indicate that the publication of the dictionary was in four volumes.
- Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Volume 2
- This is a copy of the second volume of "Dictionary of Music and Musicians," edited by Sir George Grove. This volume, published in 1880, is an encyclopedic work that contains the biographies of well-known composers as well as articles contributed by various authors on music topics, concepts and definitions starting alphabetically from: "I" (improperia) to "P" (plain song). The names of contributing authors appear in a list on pp.[v]-vii, signed "Bedford Street, Covent Garden, October 1, 1880." The titles of volumes I and II, indicate that the dictionary was issued in three volumes. However, the titles of the third and fourth volumes changed that statement to indicate that the publication of the dictionary was in four volumes.
- Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Volume 3
- This is a copy of the third volume of "Dictionary of Music and Musicians," edited by Sir George Grove. This volume, published in 1883, is an encyclopedic work that contains the biographies of well-known composers as well as articles contributed by various authors on music topics, concepts and definitions starting alphabetically from: "P" (Planché, James Robinson) to "S" (the title of the Medieval rota, "Sume is icumen in"). The names of contributing authors appear in a list on pp.[v]-vii, signed "29 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, July, 1883." The titles of volumes I and II, indicate that the dictionary was issued in three volumes. However, the titles of the third and fourth volumes changed that statement to indicate that the publication of the dictionary was in four volumes.
- Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Volume 4
- This is a copy of the fourth volume of "Dictionary of Music and Musicians," edited by Sir George Grove. This volume, published in 1890, is an encyclopedic work that contains the biographies of well-known composers as well as articles contributed by various authors on music topics, concepts and definitions starting alphabetically from: "S" (continuation of the article about the Medieval rota, "Sume is icumen in" that appears on vol. 3) to "Z" (starting with the singer, Zur Mühlen, Raimund von).
- Elements of Musical Composition; comprehending the Rules of Thorough Bass, and the Theory of Tuning.
- Manual describing musical composition for beginners. The manual is divided in 9 chapters and includes 479 musical examples engraved in 59 pages at the end of the book, as well as four plates with figures (plate no. II appears at the beginning of the book. The musical examples cover the following subjects: scales, intervals (diatonic and chromatic) and their inversion, counterpoint rules, harmonic progressions, use of non-harmonic tones (suspensions, passing notes, appoggiaturas, and upper-lower neighbor. It also includes several examples taken from Handel's "Dettingen Te Deum," "Messiah," and from Haydn's oratorio "Creation," among others.
- Esther, a sacred oratorio in score
- This is a ca. 1794 score of "Esther," a sacred oratorio by Handel. According to the Grove Dictionary of Music, the English libretto of the oratorio was probably a collaborative work between John Arbuthnot and Alexander Pope with additional words by Samuel Humphreys. The engraved frontispiece that precedes the t.p. bears the title "Apotheosis of Handel," and the inscription, "The portrait from an original picture of Hudson's in the possession of Dr. Arnold. Designed by Rebecca [Biagio]. Engraved by [James] Heath. Published the 26th of May 1787, being the anniversary of the commemoration of Handel." A table of contents appears on p. 185 with incipits of first lines of text of recitatives and aria. The performance medium includes: oboes (2), flute, bassoon (2), trumpet, strings (violins, viola, violoncello, and bass), harp, soloists (S) and mixed chorus (SATB), and basso continuo. The choral number that appears in the appendix on p.183, contains a note, "This chorus comes in page 122."
- Esther, a sacred oratorio in score
- This is a bound copy of a ca. 1794 score of "Esther," a sacred oratorio by Handel. The cover contains the inscription, "The works of Handel, edited by Dr. Arnold." It does not include the frontispiece preceding the t.p. According to the Grove Dictionary of Music, the English libretto of the oratorio was probably a collaborative work between John Arbuthnot and Alexander Pope with additional words by Samuel Humphreys. A table of contents appears on p. 185 with incipits of first lines of text of recitatives and aria. The performance medium includes: oboes (2), flute, bassoon (2), trumpet, strings (violins, viola, violoncello, and bass), harp, soloists (S) and mixed chorus (SATB), and basso continuo. The choral number that appears in the appendix on p.183, contains a note, "This chorus comes in page 122."
- The gentle shepherd, a pastoral comedy
- This is a copy of the libretto of the pastoral opera, "The gentle shepherd" by Allan Ramsey. It includes an engrave image bearing the inscription "Alan Ramsey Scotus," and "A. Ramsey, ad viv. del." (translatable as, drawing of the living subject) at the bottom left. It also bears the disclaimer and engraving signature, "Published according to Act of Parliament by D. Allan Edin, July 12, 1788" at the bottom right. The libretto includes twelve numbered plates depict various scenes from scenes of each act and include corresponding portions of text or dialog, melodies with figured bass, and a 15-page glossary at the end.
- Grande étude de bataille, for the piano forte, op. 35
- This is a digital copy of the "Grande étude de bataille for the piano forte, op. 35" by Leopold von Meyer. The Austrian composer and pianist von Meyer, had a successful performance career in Russia, eastern Europe and Vienna and also achieved success in London and Paris. He visited the United States on October 1845 and his histrionic performance style and bravura showpieces were received with wide acclaim. This piece was dedicate to the Bohemian pianist and composer Ignaz Moscheles (1794-1870). "Grande étude de bataille for the piano forte" is part of a bound collection of piano pieces composed by von Meyer that also includes fantasies on famous nineteenth-century operas, variations, national airs, marches, valses, and nocturnes. These are the titles of all the piano pieces by von Meyer in the order in which they appear in the library's collection: Lucrezia Borgia: introduction and brilliant variations for the piano forte; Variations sur un theme de Semiramis de Rossini, op.37; Fantaisie sur L'Elixir d'amore, op.32; Fantaisie sur Norma de Bellini, op. 40; Fantaisie sur un air de Bellini; Le carnaval de Venise, varié pour le piano, op.31; Grande fantaisie orientale sur deux themes arabes, op.38; Fantaisie sur Les Hirondelles de Felicien David; Airs russes: fantaisie pour le piano forte, op.43; Marche marocaine Machmudier: air guerrier national [sic] des turcs [sic]; Grande march [sic] triomphale D'Isly, op.30; Hortense: notturno for the piano forte; Andante for the piano forte, op.42; Bajazeth: air nationale des turques; Grande etude de bataille, op.35; Quatre morceaux pour le piano forte: no.1 Le depart et le retour (deux noturnes); no.2 Airs russes, op.20; no.3 Valses brillantes; no.4 Grand gallop de bravoure.
- Handel's Songs, Selected From His Oratorios: Volume 2
- This is the second of a five-volume anthology featuring 160 arias and songs from various oratorios by G. F. Handel. The vocal score contains musical selections arranged for 1-2 voices with unrealized figured bass intended for harpsichord (continuo), oboe, or flute accompaniment. The English text is printed between the treble and bass, or alto staves. A publisher's note in the t.p. announced the availability of instrumental parts are available separately for concerts. The table of content that follows after the t.p. indicates the titles of the oratorio from which the arias and songs were taken. The songs are numbered continuously from 81-160 paginated from 172-332.
- Handel's Songs, Selected From His Oratorios: Volume 3
- This is the third volume of a five-volume anthology featuring arias and songs from various oratorios by G. F. Handel. The vocal score contains musical selections arranged for 1-2 voices with unrealized figured bass intended for harpsichord (continuo), oboe, or flute accompaniment. The English text is printed between the treble and bass, or alto staves. A publisher's note on the t.p. announced the availability of instrumental parts sold separately. The table of content indicates the oratorio from which the arias and songs were taken. The songs are numbered continuously from 161-240 paginated from 334-498.
- Harmonia Sacra
- This collection of six anthems for various combinations of voices employs a figured continuo accompaniment. Instrumental interludes labeled "symphonies" can also be found interspersed among the choral selections. Though the music cites no particular scriptural passages, the text seems inspired by - if not directly derived from - the Bible.
- Hercules: an oratorio in score
- The plot of this oratorio centers around Hercules's death by an inadvertent action of his wife Dejanira. Handel set to music the English libretto by Rev. Thomas Broughton's English, based on Sophocles' Trachiniae, and additions from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The performance forces include: soloists (SATB) and mixed chorus with oboes (2) violins (2), viola, Bass (unspecifdied) and continue. The index that appears on p.248 contains the incipits of arias, recitative and choruses for each of the three acts.
- Hortense
- This is a digital copy of the nocturne "Hortense" by Leopold von Meyer. The Austrian composer and pianist von Meyer, had a successful performance career in Russia, eastern Europe and Vienna and also achieved success in London and Paris. He visited the United States on October 1845 and his histrionic performance style and bravura showpieces were received with wide acclaim. This piece was dedicate to Loise Dulcken (1811-1850), a German pianist famous for her pianistic prowess, the musical soirées she sponsored, which gathered prominent musicians, painters and literary figures, and for having taught piano to Queen Victoria. The nocturne Hortense is part of a bound collection of piano pieces composed by von Meyer that also includes fantasies on famous nineteenth-century operas, variations, national airs, marches, valses, an etude and nocturnes. These are the titles of all the piano pieces by von Meyer in the order in which they appear in the library's collection: Lucrezia Borgia: introduction and brilliant variations for the piano forte; Variations sur un theme de Semiramis de Rossini, op.37; Fantaisie sur L'Elixir d'amore, op.32; Fantaisie sur Norma de Bellini, op. 40; Fantaisie sur un air de Bellini; Le carnaval de Venise, varié pour le piano, op.31; Grande fantaisie orientale sur deux themes arabes, op.38; Fantaisie sur Les Hirondelles de Felicien David; Airs russes: fantaisie pour le piano forte, op.43; Marche marocaine Machmudier: air guerrier national [sic] des turcs [sic]; Grande march [sic] triomphale D'Isly, op.30; Hortense: notturno for the piano forte; Andante for the piano forte, op.42; Bajazeth: air nationale des turques; Grande etude de bataille, op.35; Quatre morceaux pour le piano forte: no.1 Le depart et le retour (deux noturnes); no.2 Airs russes, op.20; no.3 Valses brillantes; no.4 Grand gallop de bravoure.
- Hymns, &c. composed on various subjects
- The tenth edition of J. Joseph Hart's collection of hymn lyrics.
- Judas Maccabaeus
- This is a [ca. 1740] score of Judas Maccabaeus, a sacred oratorio by Handel. It contains a table of songs for each of the three acts of the oratorio and a descriptive catalog of music composed by Handel, which includes: Italian operas, English oratorios as well as concertos, chamber music and transcription of vocal music for instruments. The performance forces include: vocal soloists (SATB or SATB), strings (violins, viola, violoncello and contra bass), oboes, traverse flute, and bassoon. It also includes figured bass for continuo playing. The names of singers (Gambarini, Galli, Reinhold, and Beard) appear at the heading of each aria. Page [73], incorrectly numbered 48, contains a keyboard march identified as: No.484 Marche.
- Love in a Village: a Comic Opera As it is Performed at the Theatre Royal in Covent-Garden. For the Harpsicord, Voice, German Flute, or Violin.
- Vocal score for Love in a Village is broken into four labeled sections ('books'), each of which has a separate title page, and includes the music from the comic opera which has figured bass. Some of the music includes underlaid lyrics and the names of the persons who performed the pieces. Table of contents for the entire work is on page [1].
- Lucrezia Borgia, introduction and brilliant variations, for the piano forte
- This is a digital copy of the "Lucrezia Borgia, introduction and brilliant variations, for the piano forte" by Leopold von Meyer. The Austrian composer and pianist von Meyer, had a successful performance career in Russia, eastern Europe and Vienna and also achieved success in London and Paris. He visited the United States on October 1845 and his histrionic performance style and bravura showpieces were received with wide acclaim. "Lucrezia Borgia, introduction and brilliant variations" is part of a bound collection of piano pieces composed by von Meyer that also includes fantasies on famous nineteenth-century operas, variations, national airs, marches, valses, an etude and nocturnes. This piece was inspired on the opera "Lucrezia Borgia" (1833) by Gaetano Donizetti to whom von Meyer dedicated the work. These are the titles of all the piano pieces by von Meyer in the order in which they appear in the library's collection: Lucrezia Borgia: introduction and brilliant variations for the piano forte; Variations sur un theme de Semiramis de Rossini, op.37; Fantaisie sur L'Elixir d'amore, op.32; Fantaisie sur Norma de Bellini, op. 40; Fantaisie sur un air de Bellini; Le carnaval de Venise, varié pour le piano, op.31; Grande fantaisie orientale sur deux themes arabes, op.38; Fantaisie sur Les Hirondelles de Felicien David; Airs russes: fantaisie pour le piano forte, op.43; Marche marocaine Machmudier: air guerrier national [sic] des turcs [sic]; Grande march [sic] triomphale D'Isly, op.30; Hortense: notturno for the piano forte; Andante for the piano forte, op.42; Bajazeth: air nationale des turques; Grande etude de bataille, op.35; Quatre morceaux pour le piano forte: no.1 Le depart et le retour (deux noturnes); no.2 Airs russes, op.20; no.3 Valses brillantes; no.4 Grand gallop de bravoure.
- The May Fly
- Unaccompanied vocal trio for SSB (soprano-soprano-bass) voices. The caption contains a handwritten note with a composition date of December 8, 1800.
- Messiah
- Score of the first published edition of Handel's sacred oratorio, Messiah to the English text by the librettist Charles Jennens. Characteristics identified on pages 125-126 of C.W. Smith's Handel. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Early Editions further identify this instance as the fourth issue, and the "b" variant within that issue. It includes an engraved frontispiece by Houbraken showing a portrait of Handel and musical instruments and mythological figures playing instruments. A list of subscribers before the content index includes the King, Queen [of England], His Royal Highness the Duke of York, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland. The spellings of Samuel Dyer, Esq. and Mr. Maurice Dreyer are also central to identifying the issue and variant. The content index includes incipit of recitatives and arias of each part. New pagination starts after the end of the oratorio at page 188 for added music.
- A Method of Singing
- From Novello's Music Primers and Educational Series, a method intended to "explain ... the simple laws of sound and their bearing upon the technique of singing," according to the author's introduction.
- The Musical Library, Vocal: Volumes 1 & 2
- This is a digital copy of volumes 1 and 2 of "The musical library," a bound collection of part songs and songs with piano accompaniment edited by William Ayrton. It includes arrangements of famous nineteenth-century tunes, madrigals, ballads, canzones, elegies, and opera arias by various composers.
- The Musical Library, Vocal: Volumes 3 & 4
- This is a digital copy of volumes 3 and 4 of "The musical library," a bound collection of part songs and songs with piano accompaniment edited by William Ayrton. It includes arrangements of famous nineteenth-century tunes, madrigals, ballads, canzones, elegies, and opera arias by various composers.
- The musick for the Royal fireworks
- This is a [ca. 1788] score of one of the arrangements Handel made of his "Music for the Royal Fireworks." The caption title gives indication that this version contains the music as performed in 1749. The Grove Dictionary of Music lists two other arrangements from ca. 1746. The performance forces of this edition include: trumpets (3), horns (3), timpani, oboes (2), bassoon, and strings (violin, viola, violoncello, and contrabass). The plate no. appears in both Roman and Arabic forms: No. XXIV and No. 24.
- New-York Musical Review and Choral Advocate, Volume 6, Number 10, May 10, 1955
- Biweekly periodical containing information about music-related news and events, printed scores and lyrics, advertisements, and other related information.
- New York Musical Review and Gazette, Volume 6, Number 11, May 19, 1855
- Biweekly periodical containing information about music-related news and events, printed scores and lyrics, advertisements, and other related information.
- New York Musical Review and Gazette, Volume 6, Number 12, June 2, 1855
- Biweekly periodical containing information about music-related news and events, printed scores and lyrics, advertisements, and other related information.
- New York Musical Review and Gazette, Volume 6, Number 13, June 16, 1855
- Biweekly periodical containing information about music-related news and events, printed scores and lyrics, advertisements, and other related information.
- New York Musical Review and Gazette, Volume 6, Number 14, June 30, 1855
- Biweekly periodical containing information about music-related news and events, printed scores and lyrics, advertisements, and other related information.
- New York Musical Review and Gazette, Volume 6, Number 15, July 14, 1855
- Biweekly periodical containing information about music-related news and events, printed scores and lyrics, advertisements, and other related information.