Bibliographies
This page will lead you to a selection of online and in-print bibliographies that will guide
you in your research about composers and performers. Do note, what is represented here is only a selection of
resources about a selection of individuals. While information on this page is continually augmented,
there are many additional resources available in our library that are not listed here.
Biographies of composers are located on the shelf under the
call number ML410. In a full call number (ML410.B4, for example) the unit following the period (.) begins with the first letter of a composer's last name. Biographies are
then shelved alphabetically by composers' last names, so you would find Beethoven at ML410.B followed by Brahms also in the range
of ML410.B.
Resources for Composers |
Resources for Performers |
Biographical Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. Centennial ed. Rev. by N. Slonimsky. 6 vols. NY: Schirmer Books, 2001.
- Music Ref. ML105 .B16 2001
- Provides brief biographical sketches for most major musicians, frequently including works list and/or discography.
Harvard Dictionary of Music, 4th ed. Edited by Don Randel. Cambridge: Belknap, 2003.
- Music Ref. ML100 A64 2003
- Standard dictionary providing basic definitions for musical terms. Includes some bibliographic references.
New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd ed. 29 vols. Stanley Sadie, ed. London: Macmillan, 2001.
- Music Ref. ML100 N44 2001 ; also available online through Oxford Dictionary of Music Online
- Defines major terms and provides detailed biographical information about musicians as well as works, discographies, and bibliographic references.