History:CSGv2/Work/Title/Work and opus identification Proposal

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Official Documentation > Style Guidelines > The Classical Style Guidelines
Artist
Title: Work and Opus | Movement | Ornamentation | Special Cases

The Work and Opus Identification Framework

Classical Work
Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus

Most classical composers have their works contained either within opuses or catalogues. The Work and Opus Identification section of a CSG for Works title identifies a particular work and the catalogue or opus identifier to which the work belongs.

In all framework descriptions, new elements inserted into the framework by the current section are indicated with bolded text and a violet background.

Basic framework

The basic framework includes the work type, the instrumentation, the key, the scale, and the catalogue or opus identification.

Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number
Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Opus Number


'Connecting' words

'For' and 'in' should use their linguistic equivalents; e.g., French CSG for Works would use 'pour', German CSG for Works would use 'für', etc.



Work Form

Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus

This is the form, or type, of the overall composition, such as 'Symphony'.

  • The form should normally be capitalized using sentence case, e.g., 'Incidental music'.


A list of common (and uncommon) work forms is available on the CSGv2 resource page.


Instrumentation and/or voice type(s)

Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus

This is a listing of the instruments and/or vocal types found in the overall composition.

  1. Instruments and vocal types should always be lowercased, unless the instrument's name itself contains a proper name.
  2. For multiple instruments or voices, the quantities should be indicated using Arabic numerals, not spelled out.
  3. For listings of three or more instruments and/or voices, use a serial comma.
  4. When listing more than 2 instruments and/or vocal types, spell out 'and' (or its linguistic equivalent). Do not use an ampersand.
  5. For a case which the count is singular (1 of something), do not indicate singular counts.
  6. No particular ordering is more correct. However, if an instrument is featured in the composition, it should be listed first.
Incorrect
  1. Piano
  2. Two flutes
  3. piano, 2 organs and cello
  4. 3 pianos, 2 organs, 4 tenors, & soprano
  5. 1 viola and 2 cellos
  6. Concerto for orchestra and piano
Correct
  1. piano
  2. 2 flutes
  3. piano, 2 organs, and cello
  4. 3 pianos, 2 organs, 4 tenors, and soprano
  5. viola and 2 cellos
  6. Concerto for piano and orchestra

A list of all vocal types can be found on the CSGv2 resource page.


Key and Scale

Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus

This is the key and scale in which overall composition is composed.[1]

  • The key and scale should always stay consistent with the language being used for the title, e.g., do not use the French 'La dièse majeur' in a German CSG for Works title.
  • Keys should always be uppercased, unless it is more musicologically correct within the particular language that minor keys be lowercased. e.g. 'si minore'.
  • Scales should always be lowercased, unless it is more musicologically correct within the particular language that minor keys be uppercased. e.g. 'His-Dur'.
  • When keys are written in English, "sharp" and "flat" must always be lowercased and linked to the key with a hyphen ('E-flat'). For other languages, use whatever hyphenation and/or spacing is most musicologically correct.

For English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish CSG for Works titles, the keys and scales reference list on the CSGv2 resource page is the definitive listing with regards to capitalization, spelling, spacing, and hyphenation.


Catalogue Identifier, Catalogue Number, and Opus Number

Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus

Some classical composers, especially the more well known ones, have had their works catalogued by another person.[2] These catalogues often have quite long names, and thus standard abbreviations are used for them, e.g., 'BWV' or 'KV'. The catalogue abbreviation should be used[3], with the catalogue's number for the work then following.

Examples
BWV 954
HWV 295

Alternately, some composers catalogue themselves using opus numbers. An opus can contain only a single composition, or many, each also individually numbered.

  • Opus should always be abbreviated 'Op.' (including the period).[4]
Example
The opus contains only one composition: Op. 88
The opus contains multiple compositions: Op. 116 No. 1
  • Some rare movements have two catalogue numbers from within the same catalogue; one for the movement, and one for the overall composition. The catalogue number which should be used for this part of the CSG for Works framework is the one assigned to the overall composition.
  • Some composers have had multiple catalogues made of their works. Such catalogues, if they are considered definitive (and are not musicologically unimportant) may each be listed in the work title, each catalogue identifier separated by ' / '.

Application

Applied, the basic framework then looks like this:

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number
Canon for 3 voices in 1 in C major , K. 553
Concerto for bassoon in B-flat major , K. 186e / KV 191


Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Opus Number
Trio for violin, viola, and cello in E-flat major , Op. 3

Advanced structure

The basic framework defines the Work and Opus identification for most cases. However, there are special cases which add some complexity.

The advanced cases described below insert modifications into the basic framework. These modifications should be combined as needed.



Numbered works


Work and Opus
Work Form Numbered work form Instrumentation and voicing Numbered work form for instrument Key Scale Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number



Named works


Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Work name Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number

Variations based on other works


Work and Opus
Work Form Composer of basis work Basis work Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number

Catalog numbers: Anhuang, Appendix, deest, WwO


Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number

Movements with multiple identifier numbers


Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number

'Super' opuses


Work and Opus
'Super' opus Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number

Non-European Modes


Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Mode Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale Mode (some) , Catalogue Identifier and Number
Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Mode (some) Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number
Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Mode (some) , Catalogue Identifier and Number
Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Mode (some) , Catalogue Identifier and Number

Works are assumed, by default, to use the seven note diatonic scale. This is the scale most frequently used in Western music, especially any music composed since the 15th century.

However, in some cases, an alternate mode may be indicated. These can include the augmented, chromatic, whole tone, aeolian, pentatonic, octatonic, and diminished modes, to name only the more common ones. When needed, the key and scale should be modified to include the mode. Typically the mode will go after the scale, but in some cases (chromatic and whole tone), it is more grammatically and musicologically correct that it either precede or replace the scale.

Examples
  • B major diminished
  • C/C-sharp chromatic

Non-half tone keys


Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number

Non-European Scales


Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number

Modulating Keys, Modes, and/or Scales


Work and Opus
Work Form Instrumentation and voicing Key Scale Mode Catalogue and Opus


Framework

Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key to Modulated Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number
Work Type for Instrumentation and/or voice type(s) in Key Scale to Modulated Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Number

Some rare works use modulating keys, modes, or scales. In such cases, list both keys, modes, and/or scales. The linguistic equivalent of 'to' should then be used to connect the two.

Example
  • Modulating Prelude for Piano in F major to E minor, K. deest NMA IX/27/2 No. 2

Mess below here


What about numbered works?
Work and Opus Identification
Work Type No. (1 & 4) Instrumentation No. (2) Key Scale Catalogue / Opus Number No. (3 & 4)

Many composers, in addition to opuses or catalogs, have had their works numbered. The number can identify fall in one of several places, however, depending on just what is being counted.

  1. The number may be counting a particular work type, irregardless of instrumentation, in which case it would be inserted between the Work Type and the Instrumentation:
    • Symphony No. 5 for Orchestra in B-flat major, K. 22
  1. The number may be counting a particular work type paired with a particular instrumentation, in which case it would be inserted between the Instrumentation and the Key:
    • Concerto for Piano No. 1 in F major, K. 37
  1. The number may be counting which work within an opus is being identified, in which case the work number would be added directly after the Catalogue or Opus identification:
    • Sonata for Piano in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1
    • 12 German Dances for Orchestra in C major, K. 567 No. 12
  1. Normally there will be only one number to a work, though it is possible that you could have a situation such as the 3rd numbered Sonata which also happens to be the first work within an opus:
    • Sonata No. 3 for Piano in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1

"No." should be language-correct ("No." for English, "Nr." for German, "N°" for French, etc). "#", "Number", etc. should not be used. The numbers used should always be indicated using Arabic numerals and not spelled out.


 
What about named works?
Work and Opus Identification
Work Type No. (1 & 4) Instrumentation No. (2) Key Scale Catalogue / Opus Number No. (3 & 4) "Common Name"
  • For works with a common name, the common name should be placed after the catalog or opus number. If there is a opus work number present, the common name is placed after that as well. The common name ought to be surrounded by quotation marks of the type correct for the CSG language style being used. If there is more than one common name, within the quotes use a standard ASCII forward slash with a single standard ASCII space on each side ( / ) to separate the names. The common name ought to be capitalized according to the appropriate CapitalizationStandard for that name's language.
  • Symphony No. 41 for Orchestra in C major, K. 551 "Jupiter"
  • Missa brevis No. 9 for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra in C major, K. 196b / KV 220 "Spatzenmesse"
  • Kantate, BWV 106 "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit / Actus tragicus"

 
What about Variations of other works?
Work and Opus Identification
Work Type No. (1 & 4) Basis Work Composer Basis Work Instrumentation No. (2) Key Scale Catalogue / Opus Number No. (3 & 4) "Common Name"

Variations can be rather confusing. You're essentially inserting one entire CSG work title into another. Immediately following the Work Type, insert the name of the composer of the work the variation is based upon, then the full CSG title of that work. Note that in addition to the "No." fields which normally can appear, you may also have "No." fields appearing within the basis work, providing for potentially as many as 4 "No."s to appear within the work title.

The structure looks like this:

Work Type on Basis Work Composer : Basis Work for Instrumentation in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Catalogue Number
Work Type on Basis Work Composer : Basis Work for Instrumentation in Key Scale , Opus Number

and looks like this:

Work Type on Basis Work Composer : Basis Work for Instrumentation in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Catalogue Number
Canon on Antonio Salieri : La fiera di Venezia: "Mio caro Adone" for 3 Voices in 1 in C major , K. 553
Concerto on Dutch Traditional : "Wilhelmus van Nassau" for Bassoon in B-flat major , K. 186e / KV 191
Trio on André Ernest Modeste Grétry : Les mariages samnites: March "Dieu d'amour" for Violin, Viola, and Cello in E-flat major , Op. 3

If the work being imported was composed by the same composer, the [ Basis Work Composer ]: section ought to be omitted, giving:

Work Type on Basis Work for Instrumentation in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Catalogue Number
Work Type on Basis Work for Instrumentation in Key Scale , Opus Number

and thus:

Work Type on Basis Work for Instrumentation in Key Scale , Catalogue Identifier and Catalogue Number
Divertimento on Le Baiser de la fée for Orchestra in ( ? ) ( ? ) , ( ? )
Symphony on Serenade No. 7 for Orchestra in D major, K. 249 "Haffner" for Orchestra in D major , K. *248b / KV *250 NMA IV/11/7 No. 2



 
What about Non-Standard or Non-European Keys, Modes, or Scales?
  • For works using non-diatonic scales, such as Persian or Yaman, insert the scale indication before the Key. ("...in Yaman A major")
  • For works using diatonic scale modifications such as harmonic or melodic, insert the scale modification indication before the Key (and after the non-diatonic scale name, if needed). ("...in Yaman harmonic A major")
  • For works using Scales other than major or minor, use them as needed. They ought to be properly capitalized or lowercase, depending upon the name of the scale and the rules within the language being used.
  • For works using Keys other than the European half-tone keys, use them as needed. ("...A𝄳 major") Please spell out "double flat", "double sharp", "triple flat", "triple sharp", etc.

  1. Some work forms, such as a symphony, can change key and/or scale within or between movements. For such works, use the initial key and scale of the first movement, unless there is good reason to use a different key and scale. However, always stay consistent; do not use the key of the first movement but the scale of the third movement.
  2. Cataloguer Relationship Type can be used to link these cataloguers with the artist whom they catalogued.
  3. This overrides Abbreviation Style; catalogue identifiers should be abbreviated.
  4. This overrides Abbreviation Style; Opus should be abbreviated.