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The Lexicon of Sound

An authoritative exploration of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, detailing its history, evolution, scope, and profound significance in musicology and scholarship.

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Introduction

A Monumental Reference

The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians stands as one of the most comprehensive and authoritative encyclopedic dictionaries dedicated to music and musicians. Alongside its German counterpart, Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart, it represents a cornerstone of musicological research and reference.

Global Scope and Depth

Spanning centuries of musical history and diverse global traditions, the dictionary covers music history, theory, ethnomusicology, and biographies of countless figures. Its extensive coverage makes it an indispensable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike.

Evolution Through Editions

First published in the late 19th century, the work has undergone numerous revisions and expansions, evolving from its initial print volumes to sophisticated online platforms, reflecting advancements in scholarship and accessibility.

Historical Trajectory

The Genesis: A Dictionary of Music and Musicians

The foundational work, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians, was first published in London by Macmillan and Co. between 1879 and 1889, under the editorship of Sir George Grove. This initial edition, limited chronologically to the period from 1450 to Grove's time, laid the groundwork for future iterations.

The early editions were published in multiple volumes:

  • First Edition (1879โ€“1889): Edited by George Grove, with an Appendix by J. A. Fuller Maitland. Published in four volumes, plus an Index.
  • Reprint (1900): A reissue of the first edition with minor corrections.
  • Second Edition (1904โ€“1910): Titled Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians (Grove II), edited by Fuller Maitland in five volumes. An American Supplement was added in 1920.
  • Third Edition (1927): Edited by H. C. Colles, also in five volumes.
  • Fourth Edition (1940): A supplementary volume edited by Colles, often considered Grove IV.
  • Fifth Edition (1954): Edited by Eric Blom, expanded to nine volumes, representing a significant revision. A supplementary volume followed in 1961.

These early volumes are now available in digital archives, offering a glimpse into historical music scholarship.

The Landmark Editions

Subsequent editions marked substantial growth in scope and detail, reflecting evolving musicological research and expanding the dictionary's reach.

The most influential editions include:

  • The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1st Edition, 1980): This monumental 20-volume set, edited by Stanley Sadie and Nigel Fortune, was a significant expansion, featuring 22,500 articles and 16,500 biographies. It was reprinted multiple times and later issued in a paperback edition.
  • The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd Edition, 2001): The seventh overall edition, published in 29 volumes and edited by Stanley Sadie with John Tyrrell. This edition significantly increased coverage of 20th-century composers and introduced substantial revisions and new articles.

Comprehensive Editions

The 1980 Edition

The 1980 edition, known as The New Grove, represented a paradigm shift in scope and detail. With 20 volumes, it contained over 22,500 articles and 16,500 biographies, becoming the definitive reference work for its time.

The 2001 Edition

The second edition of The New Grove (2001), comprising 29 volumes, further expanded its coverage, particularly in the realm of 20th-century music. Edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell, it aimed for unparalleled depth and breadth.

Specialized Spin-offs

Beyond the main dictionary, Oxford University Press has published several specialized spin-off works derived from The New Grove content, including dedicated dictionaries on opera, jazz, American music, and musical instruments, further enriching the reference landscape.

Digital Realm

Grove Music Online

The complete text of The New Grove, alongside numerous revisions and additions, is accessible through the subscription-based online service, Grove Music Online. This platform integrates content from various Grove dictionaries, offering a vast repository of musical knowledge.

Oxford Music Online

Since 2001, Grove Music Online has served as a core component of Oxford Music Online, a larger digital research tool provided by Oxford University Press. This integrated service provides access to multiple music reference works, available through institutional and individual subscriptions.

Scholarly Access

The online versions are widely available through public and university libraries worldwide, ensuring broad access for students, researchers, and music professionals engaged in scholarly pursuits.

Scope of Content

Statistical Overview (2001 Edition)

The 2001 edition represents the culmination of extensive editorial effort, encompassing a vast array of musical knowledge:

  • Total Articles: 29,499
  • Biographies: 20,374 (composers, performers, writers)
  • Styles, Terms, Genres: 1,465 articles
  • Regions & Countries: 805 articles
  • Instruments & Performance Practice: 2,261 articles

Diverse Subject Areas

The dictionary's content spans:

  • Biographical Entries: Covering influential figures across musical history.
  • Theoretical Concepts: Detailed explanations of music theory and terminology.
  • Historical Periods & Genres: In-depth analysis of musical eras and styles, including world music and popular music.
  • Instruments & Acoustics: Comprehensive information on musical instruments and their construction.
  • Music Publishing & Notation: Articles on the history and practice of music printing and notation.

Curiosities & Parodies

Fictional Composers

The dictionary has, on occasion, included entries for non-existent composers, often as scholarly hoaxes:

  • Dag Henrik Esrum-Hellerup: A Danish composer whose entry appeared in the 1980 edition, later exposed and removed.
  • Guglielmo Baldini: A fictional composer created by Hugo Riemann, whose biography was included in the 1980 edition before being identified as a hoax.

Musical Puns

In a lighter vein, the February 1981 issue of The Musical Times featured seven parody entries, filled with musical puns and in-jokes, contributed by authors of the 1980 New Grove. These humorous pieces, such as entries for "Mother Brown" and "Verdi, Lasagne," were never included in the dictionary itself but highlight the community's playful side.

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References

References

  1.  Deane L. Root, 1 July 2012, History of Grove Music รขย€ย” at oxfordmusiconline.com
  2.  "Deane Root to be Editor in Chief of Grove Music Program at OUP" (press release), Oxford University Press.
  3.  Oxford Music Online: listing at WorldCat.
A full list of references for this article are available at the The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Educational Context

This content has been generated by an AI model for educational and informational purposes, based on data from Wikipedia. While striving for accuracy and adherence to the source material, it is intended as a supplementary resource and not a substitute for primary academic research or consultation with musicology experts.

This is not professional musicological advice. The information provided should not be used as the sole basis for academic work or critical analysis without cross-referencing with authoritative sources and scholarly consensus. Users are encouraged to consult the official Grove Music Online and peer-reviewed literature for definitive information.

The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.