Finding Titles of Musical Works in the Fanfare Archive

Over the years editorial procedures for headnotes have changed, and various reviewers also have used different approaches for listing the titles of works. Because the online archive automatically reads the reviews and sorts works alphabetically by title, there are inconsistencies in the way works are listed. This is particularly true for operas, but also for other works. When searching for recordings of individual works, you should think broadly about possible listings and explore various options.

For example, under Richard Strauss you will find listings for both “Death and Transfiguration” and “Tod und Verklärung.” Likewise, Berlioz's Requiem will be found under both “Requiem” and “Grande messe des morts.” Also, practice has varied over the years regarding inclusion or omission of initial articles in titles. Hence, for example, under Mozart, you will find listings under “Die Entführung aus dem Serail,” “Entführung aus dem Serail,” “The Abduction from the Seraglio,” and “Abduction from the Seraglio.” In addition, although most titles are listed in their original languages, there are exceptions, especially for works whose original titles are hardly known in the English-speaking world. Thus, under Smetana, you will find a few listings under “Prodaná Nevésta,” and a few under “Bartered Bride,” and even the German “Die verkaufte Braut,” but the majority will be found under “The Bartered Bride.” Under Mussorgsky, all recordings of Pictures at an Exhibition use the English title only.

Finding Text Within a Page

To search for a specific title under a composer’s name, press the CTRL and F (Windows or Linux) or the COMMAND and F (Mac) keys together. A search box will appear in the browser. Type in a key word or phrase, and the first entry on that page will be highlighted. Click on the various keys near the search box to search up and down a page.