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Notes 62.2 (2005) 354-362



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Prices of Music Monographs and Scores as Reflected in Notes, 1999–2004

This column follows the format as laid out in previous years. All numbers presented here are based on data drawn from this journal's "Books Recently Published" and "Music Received" columns. Books and scores reviewed in Notes and imprints before 2002 are not included in the 2004 figures. No distinction is made between paperback and hardback editions, or between volumes issued with accompanying materials (CDs, CD-ROMs, etc.) and those without. If prices are available for both paperback and hardback editions, the price of the hardback edition has been used.

As before, price trends for books are given as a whole and are also separated by language: English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. (Please note that the alphabetical arrangement of languages differs from previous years.) Out of 1,880 books from the "Books Recently Published" column in 2004, 1,646 books, or 88 percent1 met the criterion of having an imprint date of 2002 or later. Of that number, prices could be found for 1,555 books, or 94 percent. These numbers by language are as follows:

As with books, data for scores as a whole are given first, followed by six score categories. Categories of scores used in "Music Received" do not always correspond directly with categories in this column. In those cases, this compiler has placed the score in the most appropriate or closely related category. A total of 650 scores were listed in the "Music Received" [End Page 354] column. Of these, 92 percent, or 595 had an imprint date of 2002 or later. Of the 595 scores, prices were available for 588, or 99 percent. These numbers for the various scores are as follows:

All prices are reported in U.S. dollars and reflect retail prices; they do not reflect discounts or special sale pricing. Unless otherwise noted, prices presented are per volume. When given, prices listed in the "Music Received" column were used in compiling the data. Prices not given in Notes were obtained from a number of online sources including, but not limited to: Theodore Front Musical Literature (www.tfront.com); Otto Harrassowitz (www.harrassowitz.de); Casalini Libri (www.casalini.it); Puvill Libros (www.puvill.com); Amazon.com (including its international sites); OCLC WorldCat; and individual publishers' sites. Prices were converted to U.S. dollars during the week of 19 June 2005 using the Universal Currency Converter (http://www.xe.com/ucc).

Although every effort was made to collect and report data accurately, errors and inconsistencies may exist; please use the data with this in mind. This column is intended to show general trends in pricing of music materials and should be used only as a guide to collection-development planning.

The definitions for the categories are:



Monographs: Books that are typically classified in the Library of Congress classification schedule at ML or MT. All books with an imprint date of 2002 or later, whether issued as installments in a publisher's continuation under a distinctive series title or issued individually, are included. Price information is given for books as a whole and by language —English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. [End Page 355]

Historical and monumental editions: Critical editions of scores usually representing specific ethnic, national, geographical, or chronological repertories, or the compositions of a particular individual. These scores are typically classified in the Library of Congress classification schedule at M2, M3, and M3.1. Historical and monumental editions usually appear with critical apparatus, and include facsimile editions not intended primarily for performance. Titles issued with parts or an accompanying volume of critical notes are counted as one item.

Large instrumental works: Orchestral works, concertos, wind ensembles, and band music. Full scores present the notation for all the performing forces required by a composition simultaneously, by means of vertical and horizontal alignment and placement upon each page.

Multivoice vocal work: Operas, oratorios, choral works, and musicals. Both full and vocal scores are included. Vocal scores present the text and notation...

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