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This catalog features primary sources for ornamentation from the 16th to early 20th centuries. The sources are organized into two main categories: theoretical (such as treatises and prefaces to musical works) and practical (including ornamented works and the incorporation of cadenzas or preludes). Please refer to the “Category” section for more details.
The catalog components
Author of the work. NB. Clicking on the name will open a detailed page of the entry.
Work
Notes
Details: Here you will find information about the source, including the date of the manuscript, the author of the ornaments (which may differ from the author of the main work), the sources of the ornaments, the instrument involved, and the category (such as ornamented work, treatise, cadenzas, etc.; see the “Category” section on this page). Additionally, links to other catalogs, as well as information about the work or sources, will be provided.
Reference. This number is assigned for internal reference purposes.
Detailed entry page: Clicking on the composer’s name (1) will open a detailed page for that entry.
You can use the URL displayed in your browser as a permalink to share the entry.
If you have any comments about the entry, you can use the button to submit them.
You can also share the post on your social media platforms and other messaging services.
To return to the catalog as you left it, simply press the “X” button.
Search and filters
At the top, you’ll find a search box for conducting a free search, as well as a drop-down menu that allows you to sort the list by manuscript date and author.
On the side, you’ll find a column with various filters for the database. (Note: You can select multiple values in each column. Our filters have AND logic between the filters but OR logic inside one filter):
Category: The sources have been categorized into several groups for cataloging purposes.
Cadenzas: individual cadenzas or collections of cadenzas.
Ornamented work: a musical composition that exists in both a simplified version and an elaborated version featuring embellishments.
Preludes, preludes, or collections of preludes.
Treatises, instrument methods, theoretical works, dictionaries, etc.
Prefaces: Information on ornamentation given in prefaces to musical works (e.g. “Rules of graces” included in Purcell’s A Choice Collection of Lessons for the Harpsichord or Spinnet).
Other, a miscellaneous category.
NB. Occasionally, works with ornaments may be included in treatises. In such cases, there will be two entries: one for the treatise (which explicitly references the ornamented pieces) and another for the ornamented work (with the treatise cited as its source).
Cadenzas: These are subcategories of Category→Cadenzas : Here you can filter different types of cadenzas:
Cadenzas a 2, 3, 4.
Cadenzas added/inserted. Cadenzas that were added later to the composition. They are usually identified because the original composition contains a fermata or any other sign indicating a cadenza in the position of the cadenza (although sometimes nothing is indicated) and the cadenza is copied elsewhere (it may be on the same page or in different sources).
Cadenzas belonging to the composition. The cadenza was (probably) composed at the same time as the composition
Pedal cadenzas. Cadenzas written on a pedal note (See TALBOT 2011, “Pedal cadenza” p. 139). These cadenzas are also found in the category Cadenzas belonging to the composition
Cadenzas (other). Other kinds of cadenzas
Composers: The individual credited with creating the work may differ from the person who authored the embellishments.
Ornament authors: The person who authored the embellishments
Instrument: The primary instrument for which the ornaments were created. There may be instances where multiple instruments are applicable.
Date: The date on the manuscript containing the ornaments. It may differ significantly from the actual date of composition of the work.
Country (source): The origin of the source with ornaments, which may differ from the country of composition or the nationality of the ornament’s creator (e.g., Pisendel’s ornaments, created during his travels in Italy).
Special collections: Some collections of sources that are particularly significant in the field of ornamentation.
Bibliography and Library sigla
You will find a list of the bibliography used within this catalog here. Additionally, there is a separate secondary sources database. To verify the library sigla of a manuscript, please visit RISM at the following link.
Secondary sources catalog
This catalog includes secondary sources on ornamentation from the 20th and 21st centuries, comprising books, articles, musical editions, and online resources.
The catalog components
Title. NB. Clicking here will open a detailed page of the entry.
Author
Notes
Details: Here you will find information about the source, including the date of publication, editorial information and links
Reference. This number is assigned for internal reference purposes.
Detailed entry page: Clicking on the Title (1) will open a detailed page for that entry.
You can use the URL displayed in your browser as a permalink to share the entry.
If you have any comments about the entry, you can use the button to submit them.
You can also share the post on your social media platforms and other messaging services.
To return to the catalog as you left it, simply press the “X” button.
Search and filters
At the top, you will find a search box for free queries, along with a drop-down menu that allows you to sort the list by date or author.
On the side, you will find a column with various filters for the database (Note: You can select multiple values in each category. Our filters have AND logic between the filters but OR logic inside one filter).
Category: The sources have been divided into several categories.
Articles
Books
Chapter
Music Editions
Online resources
Thesis
Translations
Sources related to composers: Here, you will find secondary sources that concentrate on specific composers.
Sources related to instruments: Here, you will find secondary sources that concentrate on specific musical instrument.
Tags: Here, you will find some of the most significant tags in the catalog, including sources related to specific styles, or particular ornamentations.
Collaborating and updating the database
Add a New Source
Collaboration with other researchers is essential for expanding this catalog and enhancing its value. On this page, you will find tools that facilitate this collaboration. By using the provided forms, you can submit information about new sources. I will review, format, and add this information to the catalog. Updates will be published regularly—whether monthly, quarterly, or as feasible—so you can track changes in the versions [here]. Additionally, anyone can subscribe to a newsletter to stay informed about these updates. Contributors who wish to be acknowledged will be listed on this page, but you can also choose to remain anonymous!
Send Comments/Modify/Report an Existing Entry
You can also submit comments to edit and update existing entries. This can be easily done from the details page of the entry you wish to modify.
The website and catalogs will be updated periodically. Detailed information about these updates will be compiled on the versions page.
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