The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
The Beethoven Bibliography Database
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Introduction / Content / Current Stage of Development / Funding
Requesting copies of materials
The Users' Guide and Thesaurus
Sending comments and reporting problems
The Beethoven Bibliography Database is an exciting project that unites the continuing interest in the life and works of Ludwig van Beethoven with the advantages of computer technology and the Internet. The Database is a primary project of the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies and has received funding from San Jose State University, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Ira F. Brilliant, the Eva B. Buck Trust, the Stella B. Gross Charitable Trust, the Farrington Historical Foundation, Innovative Interfaces, and members of the American Beethoven Society.
The Database is a fully-indexed bibliography of published (and selected unpublished) materials relating to Ludwig van Beethoven. The aims of the bibliography are:
to bring all significant Beethoven materials from the late eighteenth
century to the present under bibliographic control through the development
of a specially designed database,
to improve access to materials by providing in-depth subject analysis
of the literature,
to enhance the bibliographic records with other desirable access points,
to provide information on locations of primary research materials.
The goal of the project is to provide a tool that helps researchers identify Beethoven materials pertinent to their particular interests. The Database is still in its early stages, but it already contains over 15,000 records. At the present time, materials included in the Database come from the Center's own rich collection of books, first and early editions of scores, manuscripts (originals and facsimiles), and periodical articles. Using the database, researchers retrieve lists of materials that may be found in their local libraries or requested on interlibrary loan. For some materials, the Beethoven Center may provide photocopies (see Requesting copies of materials). The database does not yet provide full text of articles or books.
Inputting of records began in 1991 with focus on the retrospective stage that involved re-examining all the materials on Beethoven which have been published since his lifetime and analyzing them for the Database. As you can imagine, it is a daunting and expensive task, but an attainable goal. Once the retrospective cataloging of nearly 22,000 materials has been completed, project staff will continue to enhance the database and keep it current.
In the present stage of development the bibliography primarily contains literature on Beethoven and first and early editions of his music. The Database includes research materials in many languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish.
The types of materials to be indexed and described include:
1) Literature on Beethoven (at this stage from the Center's collection):
books;
articles from scholarly music and non-music journals;**
dissertations and theses;
reviews of books, scores, recordings, and concerts;
essays and other sections of books;
newspaper articles;
encyclopedia articles.
The bibliography will be as inclusive as possible for books, journal articles, and theses. For the remaining categories, the project co-directors will select materials based on the significance of the contents and their value for research.
** Beethoven articles in the following journal have been completed with the exception of some recent issues:
Acta musicologica (1928-)
Archiv für Musikforschung (1936-1942)
Beethoven Jahrbuch
Beethoven Forum
The Beethoven Newletter/Journal (1986- )
Early Music (1972-)
College Music Symposium (1961-)
Current Musicology (1965- )
In Theory Only
Indiana Theory Review (1977-)
Journal of Music Theory (1957-)
Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy (1987-)
Journal of Musicology (1982-)
Journal of the American Musicological Society (1948- )
Music Analysis (1982-)
Music and Letters (1920- )
Music Perception (1983-)
The Music Review (1940-1994)
Music Theory Spectrum (1983-)
The Musical Quarterly (1915-1986; 1988- )
Die Musikforschung (1948- )
19th-Century Music (1977-)
Notes (Series 2) (1943-)
2) Scores of Beethoven's works from the Center's collection. About 75% of the collection is represented in the database at present, including:
first editions;
other editions from Beethoven's lifetime;
other important editions published in the 19th century, including arrangements
and collected works series;
important 20th-century editions, particularly scholarly critical editions.
3) Beethoven manuscripts from the Center's collection, including facsimile editions. Some of the Center's original manuscripts are not yet entered in the database. Manuscripts include:
sketches;
fair copies and other autograph manuscripts;
contemporary copies of scores not in Beethoven's hand;
letters;
other important music and biographical documents.
For future expansion of the bibliography after the retrospective stage is completed, we will consider including materials in non-print formats, such as documentary and performance videos, interactive educational programs on CD-ROM and other electronic media, selected sound recordings, and iconographical materials such as portraits and sculpture.
Current stage of development (Stage 7, July 2000-present)
During this phase, we have indexed nearly 4,000 records for journal articles, books, and scores (same categories as above). This phase was funded through December 2002 by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation with matching funds from the Farrington Historical Foundation, San José State University and the American Beethoven Society. The project has continued on a minimal level since January 2003 with funds from the American Beethoven Society. We currently have a backlog of about 1,000 indexed records that have not yet been entered into the database.
Bibliographic records are created from direct examination of books, journal articles, and scores in the Beethoven Center's collection, as described in the following summary:
(1) Books on Beethoven and related subjects published from 1828-2002; English-language dissertations and theses
(2) Essays in congress proceedings and Festschriften; sections of books only partially devoted to Beethoven; Beethoven articles from the journals and book serials:
In progress are the following journals:
American Harp Journal (1967-)
American Music Teacher (1951-)
American Organist (1979-)
American String Teacher (1951-)
Archiv für Musikwissenschaft (1918-1926; 1952- )
Brio (1964-)
The Choral Journal (1972-)
Clavier (1969-)
Dwight's Journal of Music (1852-1881)
Journal of Music Therapy (1964-)
Journal of Research in Music Education (1953-)
Music and Musicians (1962-)
Music Journal (1946-1985)
The Music Magazine and Musical Courier (1961-)
Music News (1984-)
Musica Disiplina (1946-)
Musical America (1898-1964; 1987-1992)
The Musical Antiquary (1909-1913)
The Musical Mainstream (1997-)
Musical Opinion (1927-)
Musical Times
Musicologica Austriaca
Neue Zeitschrift für Musik (1834- )
Notes (Series 1) (1933-1942)
Percussionist (1963-)
Piano and Keyboard [continuation of Piano quarterly]
Piano Quarterly [Continued by Piano and Keyboard]
Rivista Italiana de Musicologia (1966- )
Schweizerische Musikzeitung (? - 1983)
Studia Musicologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae (1961- )
Zeitschrift für Musikwissenschaft (1918-)
(3) Scores and manuscripts:
First and early editions from the Center's collection; facsimile editions of Beethoven manuscripts
The Beethoven Bibliography Database is supported in part by San José State University but relies heavily on grants and donations from foundations, charitable organizations, and individuals. Donations to the project are always welcome. Contributions are tax deductible and are eligible for corporate matching funds. Please check with your employer for information of your corporation's matching gifts program. Donors will be listed on our web site and printed volumes of the User's Guide and Thesaurus unless anonymity is requested.
Please send your contributions to:
Beethoven Bibliography Database
Center for Beethoven Studies
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0171
Checks should be made payable to: SJSU Foundation/BBD We appreciate your support!
Principal Funders
David and Lucile Packard Foundation (1996-2002)
College of Humanities & the Arts, San Jose State University (1990-
Organizations
California State Library, Library Services and Construction Act (1990-1991)
College of Business, San José State University (1993)
Compton Foundation (1991)
Eva B. Buck Charitable Trust (1993, 1995)
Farrington Historical Founation (2001, 2003, 2005)
International Student Services, San José State University (1996)
Stella B. Gross Charitable Trust (1993)
Innovative Interfaces (1993)
National Endowment for the Humanities (1993-1995)
Office of the Academic Vice President, San José State University (1993)
Individuals
Gerald Alexanderson
Enide Allison
Charlene Archibeque
Tom and Ann Atkinson
Alfred Ava
Thomas Bailey
Dean Batt
John and Virginia Beahrs
Donna Beckage
June Bell
Steve Bergquist
Eugene and Christine Bernardini
Martin Bernstein
Lee Birch
Larry and Susan Black
Geoffrey Block
Max and Mim Bloom
Peter Bloom
Walt and Pat Bowman
Susan Schulte Braddock
Lois Brainard
Roger and Cornelia Brenneis
Ira and Irma Brilliant
Robert Brilliant
Laurel Brobst
Richmond Browne
William F. Buckley, Jr.
Marshall and Marlene Burak
Rex and Nancy Burbank
Charles and Katherine Burdick
Alan and Doris Burgess
L. Poundie Burstein
Gary Burton
Lousia Cagwin
Pat and Josi Callan
David Campen
Tressie Campen
Vance Carney
Lisa Chasin
Prudence Choi
Paul and Suzanne Christensen
Bathia Churgin
Jim and Verle Clark
James and Patricia Compton
Christina Conti
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Cookson
Carol Correa
Victor and Joan Corsiglia
Lisa Cox
Jack and Bev Crane
Daniel and Mary Creel
Caroline Crummey
Irene Dalis
Faith Davies
Laurence and Jimmie Dawson
David Dickinson
Alan Dierks
Rod Diridon
Albert and Carmen Dixon
Horace Dodge
Margery Dorian
Jack and Kathryn Douglas
Liz Doyle
Henry and Joy Drinker
Louise Dronkert
Gerry Dunckel
Henry and Judy Duque
Lou and Louetta Eastman
Becky Edwards
Joseph and Diane Ehrman
Diane Ettelson
George and Helene Ettelson
John Ettelson
Handel and Carol Evans
Mark Faigenbaum
Jack Faust
Willfred and Dorothy Fidlar
Nancie Fimbel
William Fisher
Gail Fullerton
Steve French
Tommy Fulcher, Jr.
Mina Garman
G. Henle Verlag
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn George
William George
David and Margaret Gilmore
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Glenn
Ruth I. Gillen
Isadore Gluckman
Mary Gordon
Robert Gottlieb
Edward Grabowski
James Green
Christopher and Ann Greene
L. Michael Griffel
Leonid Grin
Scot Guenter
Ruth Hafter
Joan Hammer
Phil and Susan Hammer
Lloyd Hanford
George W. Hardman
Wolfgang and Doris Hausen
Philip and Mary Hawley
Kenneth and Janet Gray Hayes
James Healey
Brent Heisinger
Paul and Martha Hertelendy
Elfrieda Hiebert
Kathleen Hulburd
Nancy Ianni
Jo Iseman
Aphri Jacobsen
Owen Jander
James and Dana Jasper
Finn Jenssen
Larry and Claire Jinks
Allen and Darlyn Johnson
Rolston and Jackie Johnson
Kenneth Johnston
Sharon Johnston
Ann Harris Jones
Maureen Jones
Thomas S. and Madge Jordan
Susan Kagan
Alfred and Heidi Kanwischer
Mr. and Mrs. Don Kassing
Kent and Patricia Kaufman
Bob Kieve
Rick and Consuelo Santos Killins
Harv Kimura
Mike and Wendy Kirst
Harvey and Elaine Knoernschild
Richard Kramer
Lin and Carol Krebs
Kristin Knittel
Ruth Langwill
Tom and Jackie Lauer
Bob and Virginia Larson
Joseph Lawton
Mr. and Mrs. Lawerence Lee
Mort and Elaine Levine
David Levy
Ed and Shirley Lewis
Jack Lin
Bun and Marty Lion
Joseph and Lela Llorens
Ted and Emily Lorraine
Ted and Karen Lucas
Susan Lund
Richard Macnutt
Scott Mann
Michael March
Dimitry Markevitch
Jeff Mayers
Paul and Lola Mayes
Jo Renee McCachren
Jeanne McCann
Bill McCraw
Harrison and Mary McCreath
Yvonne McGlynn
Ben and Pat McKendall
Doug and Alice McLendon
Michael and Heidi Melas
Brett and Marian Melendy
Mendez Alvarez family
Bill Meredith
Bill and Charlotte Meredith
Mr. and Mrs. George Miskulin
Irene Miura
John and Ruth Moore
Lucille Moorhead
Michael and Maria Mortkowitz
Caroyln Moses
Edward Mosher
Henry Neiger
Mike and Yvonne Nevens
William S. and Claire Newman
Robert and Virginia O'Reilly
Arlene Okerlund
Dick and Sally Osberg
W.A. and Bettie Ott
Charles and Janina Paul
Mary Pease
Cathy Peek
William and Anne Petchauer
D.R. Phillips
Peter Pinsky
Gwen S. Powell-Balogh
James Pruett
Janet Redding
Willis Regier
Sydney Resnick
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Richardson
Fauneil Rinn
Maynard and Carol Robinson
Jack and Rebecca Rodman
Rafael Romo
Robert Rountree
Joseph Rubinfine
Al Ruffo
Conrad Rushing
Arthur and Nadine Ryder
Lawrence Sack
Robert and Joan Salter
William Scheide
William P. Sherman
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Scheufele
Mr. and Mrs. James C. Schmidt
Harold C. Schonberg
Joseph and Janet Schumb
James M. Sealy
George Seufert
Ahmir Shah
Susan Shillinglaw
Jack Silveria
Frederick Skinner
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Snell
Stanley Sprei
Fred and Serena Stanford
Bruce and Shirley Stevenson
Norman and Shirley Stoner
Ann Strangman
Scott and Patricia Stroh
Yvonne Sullivan
Marie-Elisabeth Tellenbach
Rosemary Thorne
John and Elaine Troyan
Leslie Tung
Barbara Day Turner
Martha Turner
Mario and Sharon Valente
Laurel Verissimo
Mr. and Mrs. James Walsh
Sheryl Walters
Ann K. Walton
Sybil Weir
David Wendel
Hal Wendel
James and June Wendel
Tom Wendel
Gerald and Jean Wheeler
Jo Whitlatch
Preston Lea Wilds
Burton K. and Mary Frances Wines
Stan Wolfe
Kathryn Young
Roy Young
Virginia Youngman
The Beethoven Bibliography is maintained as a unique file in the San Jose State University Library's online public access catalog, which uses the Innopac system designed by Innovative Interfaces of Emeryville, California.
The Beethoven Bibliography Database is freely available on the web at:
http://mill1.sjlibrary.org:83/
This URL will connect you directly to the Database. If you wish to create a link to the Database from a web page, we recommend that you link to this Database page on the Center's home page (http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/beethoven/database/database.html) rather than directly to the Database itself.
Connect to the WEB version NOW
For network security reasons, the Beethoven Bibliography Database is no longer available through Telnet.
Detailed instructions on searching the Database are printed in the User's Guide and Thesaurus. An online guide is currently under development.
Access to the database if you're not on the Internet:
For a modest fee, the Center will supply printouts of search results from users who request service by telephone. Please call Patricia Stroh, Curator, at (408) 808-2059 to discuss and request a search.
The charge for each search is $5 for handling and postage and 20 cents for each page of the printed results. (Checks should be made payable to "SJSU Foundation.")
Diacritics are special characters used with letters of the alphabet in some languages. Common diacritics include accents and umlauts. If you see strange characters and jumbled text when viewing database entries, you may need to reset your browser to properly display diacritics. Please follow the instructions below for changing the settings in your Netscape or Internet Explorer browsers:
In Internet Explorer:
In the "View" pulldown menu, go to "Encoding" and select "Unicode (UTF-8)"
In Netscape:
In the "Edit" pulldown menu, go to "Preferences," then select "Appearance," then "Fonts," then "Unicode"
In the "View" pulldown menu, go to "Character Set" then select "Unicode (UTF-8"
Requesting copies of materials
Most of the books, articles, and scores listed in the Beethoven Bibliography Database are in the collection of the Ira. F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies at San José State University. So that these materials will always be available to researchers at the Center, they cannot be loaned. To obtain copies for use outside of the Center, we suggest the following procedures:
1) Local libraries
Check your local university, college, or public libraries. Books and scores may be available for check out. Journal articles may be available in print copies or online. Many libraries have online catalogs available on the web so that you can check their holdings from home.
2) Interlibrary loan
Ask your local library to locate and request materials on your behalf through interlibrary loan or document delivery services. Depending on your library's policy, you might be charged for this service.
3) Request photocopies from the Beethoven Center
The Beethoven Center can provide photocopies of many of its materials according to fair use guidelines. We charge a small fee to cover reproduction and mailing costs (see guidelines below). At present, the Center cannot supply microfilms or digital files of text materials.
For materials pupblished before 1908, or no longer under copyright:
A) Original manuscripts, first and early editions of Beethoven's music, journal articles:
$ .20 per page plus shipping. Minimum fee: $5
B) Books
Generally, the Beethoven Center does not copy entire books but can supply photocopies of chapters or other selected pages. Photocopying of entire books will be decided on a case-by-case basis depending on condition of the original and availability on the antiquarian market.
$ .20 per page plus shipping. Minimum fee: $5
Materials published after 1908 or any materials still under copyright
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a phocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
The Beethoven Center reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its uudgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. All copies become the property of the requestor.
A) Articles or small parts of works
$ .20 per page plus shipping. Minimum fee: $5
B) Whole works
Generally, the Beethoven Center does not copy entire books or scores. Photocopies will be made only if no copy can be obtained at a fair price.
Please send requests for photocopies by email to: pstroh@email.sjsu.edu. You may wish to export records from the database and forward these with a note detailing your request. Please include your name, address, phone number, and email address in your request. You will then receive a response giving you the exact amount of your order and an estimated date of delivery. Please allow at least one week for delivery, or more if the request is substantial. You will receive an invoice with your photocopy order, which may be paid by check or credit card. All payments by check must be in US$.
For information on requesting copies of materials not listed in the Beethoven Bibliography Database (such as art works), requesting copies for publication, or borrowing materials for exhibits, see services.
The User's Guide and Thesaurus
The User's Guide and Thesaurus includes the latest information on the Database with detailed instructions on searching. The thesaurus consists of over 8,200 subject and category (formerly known as genre) terms used for searching. The thesaurus is organized in eight hierarchies with scope notes; broader, narrower, and related terms; and cross references for each term.
The eighth edition of the User's Guide and Thesaurus was published in March 2004. It includes a completely revised guide to searching that incorporates the database design enhancements implemented in 2003. An online version of both the User's Guide and Thesaurus are under development.
Copies of the eighth edition of the User's Guide and Thesaurus are available in three formats:
Full User's Guide and Thesaurus (includes all hierarchies) in a three-ring binder.
$85 institutions/individuals
$50 students
Please add $15 for postage/handling for each copy ordered. For international shipments, please inquire on cost.
Full User's Guide and Thesaurus issued in three paperback volumes that can be ordered as a set or separately:
Volume 1: User's Guide and Thesaurus sections 1-6 (categories, free-floating subdivisions to Beethoven's name; free-floating subdivisions to other names; geographical headings; music terms; general subjects): $45
Volume 2: Thesaurus section 7 (Documents): $20
Volume 3: Thesaurus section 8 (Works list): $20
Please add $5 for postage/handling for each volume ordered. For international shipments, please inquire on cost.
User's Guide only (in unbound photocopy)
$15 institutions/individuals
$10 students
Please add $3 for postage/handling for each copy ordered; international shipments: please add $5 for postage/handling for each copy ordered.
Please send your library purchase order or checks made payable to the SJSU Foundation to the following address:
BBD Thesaurus, Beethoven Center, San José State University, One Washington Square, San José CA 95192-0171.
Sending comments and reporting problems
Please help us improve the Database; we welcome your comments and suggestions! We want to know what you like and don't like about the Database. We also want to hear from you if you have problems with access to the database, see errors in the bibliographic records, or want to suggest articles or books for inclusion in the Database.
You can contact us directly through the Beethoven Bibliography Database by clicking on the "Suggestions" link at the bottom of the Database screens. If you would like a response to your comment, please include your email address. To give us a citation for a book or article you think we should add to the Database, choose the "Add to Database" link. You do not need to put in your name or "bar code."
To send more extensive messages, please contact the Beethoven Center by e-mail at: pstroh@email.sjsu.edu
Please select from the following menu for more information about the Beethoven Center:
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San José State University