A woman called, asking how she would find out if classical musicians in prior centuries had access to libraries. Stumped, I told her that our music librarian would probably be able to help her. She called back twice, but didn't get to speak to Millie Vollono. So on Tuesday I raised the question with Millie, and she got a volume of the Grove Dictionary, opening it to libraries.
Music in libraries might go back to Ras Shamra (see earlier posting). Music was found in libraries of monasteries, then of cathedrals. Music for the liturgy, for services and masses was kept in cathedrals, which made such music more accessible, as cathedrals were in populated centers (in contrast to monasteries, which tended to be isolated). Martin Lither encouraged the construction of public libraries to help people learn. Conservatories, which were built in the 17th, 18th centuries, made printed music available to students.
A lesson learned.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A library reference question: Berio
On Monday a mother called, seeking information on Luciano Berio. Specifically, she was seeking the 2nd and 3rd movement of Berio's Sinfonia. HWPL owns two works by Berio, but not the Sinfonia. I suggested called NYPL's Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.
On Tuesday a father called, seeking information on Luciano Berio. Specifically, he was seeking the 2nd and 3rd movement of Berio's Sinfonia. I told him HWPL does not own that music, and remarked that someone had called the prior day about the same piece. Probably my wife, he remarked. He added that their daughter is going into opera and had been assigned this particular piece. He also asked if we had books about Berio.
In fact, we do. I told him about Two interviews - Luciano Berio, and said I would put it aside for them. After we got off the phone, I did more research, and found additional information. I found another book, Remaking the song : operatic visions and revisions from Handel to Berio.
I found and printed Berio's entry in The new Grove dictionary of music and musicians, as well as Berio's entry in Baker's biographical dictionary of musicians.
So I learned something about music, and something about reference. Millie Vollono had given me the Grove to look at as we researched a question I had been asked the prior day.
On Tuesday a father called, seeking information on Luciano Berio. Specifically, he was seeking the 2nd and 3rd movement of Berio's Sinfonia. I told him HWPL does not own that music, and remarked that someone had called the prior day about the same piece. Probably my wife, he remarked. He added that their daughter is going into opera and had been assigned this particular piece. He also asked if we had books about Berio.
In fact, we do. I told him about Two interviews - Luciano Berio, and said I would put it aside for them. After we got off the phone, I did more research, and found additional information. I found another book, Remaking the song : operatic visions and revisions from Handel to Berio.
I found and printed Berio's entry in The new Grove dictionary of music and musicians, as well as Berio's entry in Baker's biographical dictionary of musicians.
So I learned something about music, and something about reference. Millie Vollono had given me the Grove to look at as we researched a question I had been asked the prior day.
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