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  • Entities
    • RDA Entity
    • Work
    • Expression
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    • Agent
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    • Nomen
    • Place
    • Timespan
  • Guidance
    • Introduction to RDA
      • Objectives and principles governing RDA
      • Standards related to RDA
      • Data elements
    • Aggregates
    • Application profiles
    • Content and carrier
      • RDA resource categorization
      • RDA carrier and content categories
      • RDA resource category extension
      • Extension plans
    • Data provenance
    • Diachronic works
    • Entity boundaries
    • Fictitious and non-human appellations
    • Manifestation statements
    • Nomens and appellations
    • RDA implementation scenarios
    • Recording methods
    • Representative expressions
    • Resource description
      • Coherent description of an information resource
      • Minimum description of a resource entity
      • Effective description
      • Describing a work
      • Describing an expression
      • Describing a manifestation
      • Describing an item
    • Terminology
    • Transcription guidelines
      • Guidelines on basic transcription
      • Guidelines on normalized transcription
    • User tasks
    • Well-formed RDA
  • Policies
    • BLPS
      • BLPS Entities
      • BLPS Guidance
      • BL PS Community Resources
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      • LAC PS Guidance
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Policies

LC-PCC policy statements for authorized access point for musical work

Prerecording

Recording

Recording a structured description

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option by using an access point established in the LC/NACO Authority file. If no authorized form has been established in the LC/NACO Authority file, apply the option by (1) establishing a value of Work: access point for work as the authorized form in the LC/NACO Name Authority file, and/or (2) Recording a value of Work: access point for work on a bibliographic record.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Do not apply the option

Option

Use the following string encoding schemes. If a musical work does not belong to one of the listed categories, see Work: authorized access point for work for additional guidance. Make additions as instructed at Additional elements and designations in authorized access points for musical works.

Musical works with lyrics, libretto, text, etc.

A work is a musical work.

A work includes words in the form of lyrics, a libretto, text, etc. (e.g., a song, opera, musical comedy).

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Agent: access point for agent for a composer of the music
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

Pasticcios, Ballad Operas, Etc.

A work is the music of a pasticcio that is especially composed for it.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Agent: access point for agent for the composer who is named first either in manifestations embodying the work or in reference sources
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

A work is a single excerpt from a pasticcio, ballad opera, etc.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Agent: access point for agent for a composer of the music
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.
Base the preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructionson the preferred title of the excerpt.
Apply the options for other kinds of pasticcios at Pasticcios, ballad operas, etc.

Musical work composed for choreographic movement

A work is a musical work.

A work is composed for choreographic movement, such as a ballet or pantomime.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Agent: access point for agent for a composer of the music
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

Adaptations of musical works

A work is an adaptation of a musical work of one or more of the following kinds:

  • an arrangement that is described as freely transcribed, based on, etc., or an arrangement that incorporates new material
  • a paraphrase of various works or of the general style of another composer
  • an arrangement in which the harmony or musical style of the original has been changed
  • a performance of a musical work that involves substantial creative responsibility for adaptation, improvisation, etc., on the part of the performer or performers
  • any other distinct alteration of another musical work

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Agent: access point for agent for an adapter of the music
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

Apply the instructions at Adaptations of musical works for unknown or uncertain adapters.

Operas and other dramatic work with new text and title

A work is an opera or other dramatic musical work with a new text or an adapted text, plot, setting, or other verbal element.

The title has changed.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Work: authorized access point for musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions for an original opera or dramatic musical work
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of work for an adaptation

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

Enclose the preferred title of work for an adaptation in parentheses.

Cadenzas

A work is a cadenza.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Agent: access point for agent for an agent who composes music
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

Apply the option at Cadenzasfor when a cadenza does not have its own title.

Music and incidental music for dramatic works, etc.

A work is music or incidental music composed for a dramatic work, film, etc.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Agent: access point for agent for an agent who composes music
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

One part of a musical work

A work is a musical work.

A work is a single part of another work.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Work: access point for work for a whole work
  2. a value that is based on Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions for a part

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

Two or more unnumbered parts designated by the same general term

A work is an aggregating work.

A work is planned to aggregate expressions that realize parts of a musical work.

The parts form a group called suite by the composer.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Work: access point for work for a whole work
  2. the term Suite

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

A work is an aggregating work.

A work is planned to aggregate expressions that realize parts of a musical work.

Apply this string encoding scheme:

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Work: access point for work for a whole work
  2. the conventional collective title Selections

Apply a local string punctuation pattern.

Basis of authorized access point for musical works

Option

LC/PCC practice: Form an authorized access point for a musical work using an appropriate string encoding scheme.

For a single part of a work, the base authorized access point is the preferred title of musical work for the whole work, followed by the preferred title of musical work of the part.

For a work that plans to aggregate multiple parts of a musical work, the base authorized access point is the preferred title of the musical work for the whole work, followed by the term Selections.

Including a value for medium of performance in an authorized access point for a musical work

Option

LC/PCC practice: Include values of Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression if a preferred title of musical work consists solely of one or more types of composition or if values of Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression are needed to distinguish an access point from another access point.

Use LCMPT terms in an authorized access point, adjusting the form to plural if needed according to Exceptions to including a value for medium of performance in an authorized access point for musical work .

Record terms in this order:

  1. voices
  2. keyboard instrument if there is more than one non-keyboard instrument
  3. the other instruments in score order
  4. continuo.

For a work for solo instrument or instruments and accompanying ensemble or ensembles, add the terms for the solo instrument or instruments followed by the term for the accompanying ensemble or ensembles.

For a work with a Work: preferred title of musical work that is the English word "Melody" or "Melodies" or their cognates in another language (including French) and a value of Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression is not for solo voice and keyboard stringed instrument, add the Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression, following the options at Exceptions to including a value for medium of performance in an authorized access point for musical work .

Apply the options and policy statements for adding values of Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression to an authorized access point at Exceptions to including a value for medium of performance in an authorized access point for musical work .

Exceptions to including a value for medium of performance in an authorized access point for musical work

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

If there are two or more works by the same composer with the same preferred title and the medium of performance is unknown but the number of parts is known, record the number of parts following the term performers in an authorized access point.

For a work with a Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions that is a Latin liturgical word or phrase (e.g., "Gloria," "Salve Regina," "Te Deum") in most cases do not add a value of Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression to a base authorized access point.

If a composer wrote more than one work of a particular type of composition that is for or includes various keyboard stringed instruments, use the one that predominates in the works of that type when adding the medium of performance. If no predominant instrument is apparent, use the term keyboard instrument.

For a work with a Work: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions that is the French "Mélodie" or "Mélodies" and a value of Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression is for solo voice and keyboard stringed instrument, consider Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression to be implied and do not add it to a base authorized access point.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option to record the term in the plural. Always supply the number of parts if more than one for a particular instrument or voice, even if the number is implicit in the preferred title.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Refer to the individual options for policy decisions.

Pasticcios, ballad operas, etc.

Pasticcios, ballad operas, etc.

LC/PCC practice: For music especially composed for a pasticcio, ballad opera, etc. or for a single excerpt from a pasticcio, ballad opera, etc., form a base authorized access point by using an appropriate string encoding scheme. Apply the options and policy statements in this section for other categories of pasticcios, ballad operas, etc.

Previously existing compositions

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Do not include a value of Agent: access point for agent for any of the composers.

Compilations of excerpts

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Do not add Selections for a compilation of excerpts from a single pasticcio, ballad opera, etc.

Single excerpt

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Adaptations of musical works

Adaptations of musical works

LC/PCC practice: For adaptations of musical works, form a base authorized access point by using an appropriate string encoding scheme. Apply the guidance and options in this section as applicable.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Cadenzas

Cadenzas

LC/PCC practice: For cadenzas, form a base authorized access point by using an appropriate string encoding scheme. Apply the guidance and options in this section as applicable.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Additional elements and designations in authorized access points for musical works

Additional elements and designations in authorized access points for musical works

LC/PCC practice: Apply the guidance and options for making additions in this section.

Do not make further additions to an authorized access point when one or more instrumental parts for a work or a compilation of works by one composer are published separately. Use the same authorized access point that would be used for a score or a complete set of parts.

If a composer also created the libretto for a dramatic musical work and the libretto is manifested separately as a literary work, distinguish the literary work from the musical work with (Libretto), but do not make an addition to the access point for the musical work.

Preferred title of musical work

Record a value that includes, in this order:

  1. a value of Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression
  2. a value of Work: numeric designation of musical work
  3. a value of Work: key of representative expression

Make other additions if needed to distinguish the access point from another access point.

Use cataloger's judgment in choosing the most appropriate values of elements listed at the options here or at Work:access point for work. Additional elements and designations in access points for work to include in an authorized access point for a musical work unless other policy statements apply.

Authorized access points for parts

Make additions as instructed here.

Authorized access points for aggregating works that include a collective title and the term Selections

Make additions as instructed here.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Record a value of Work: serial number of musical work in an authorized access point if works with the same title and the same medium of performance are consecutively numbered in music reference sources.

Record a serial number if works with the same title for different media are consecutively numbered in music reference sources if the medium of performance is omitted from the authorized access point per Exceptions to including a value for medium of performance in an authorized access point for musical work .

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: See the policy statement for Additional elements and designations in authorized access points for musical works.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option only if all other alternatives for additions have been exhausted.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Include a value of Work: medium of performance of musical content of representative expression if an authorized access point is for an aggregating work that is an incomplete compilation of works for a single type of composition for a specific medium of performance. Include the other listed values if required to distinguish the access point from other access points.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Condition Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.

Data provenance

Option

LC/PCC practice: Apply the option if specifically required by policy or the metadata system, as stated in the Metadata Guidance documentation.

Option

LC/PCC practice: Do not apply the option.

Recording an IRI

View in Context Example

Related elements

Document Date: 2025/03/25
Document: https://access.rdatoolkit.org/en-US_ala-1736a276-b4a2-3a2d-b028-b1ffad89f70b

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