Library and Information Services, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Friday, 17 December 2010

Early English Books Online (contains music)

TRIAL OF SIGNIFICANT E-DATABASE FOR RSAMD MUSICIANS! Hmm, Early English Books Online. Maybe, like "Whittaker", you assumed that this database was – as it says – books, not music. Wrong!
Early English Books Online (EEBO) contains digital facsimile page images of virtually every work printed in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and British North America and works in English printed elsewhere from 1473-1700 - from the first book printed in English by William Caxton, through the age of Spenser and Shakespeare and the tumult of the English Civil War.”
EEBO provides URLs to some of the most significant early English printed music sources. Look at the examples I've given below. RSAMD Whittaker Library requested a trial to the database, but we only have the trial for the rest of December 2010. The Music & Academic Services Librarian urges staff and students to make the most of this trial & send her your feedback. You can see the potential value in contextual studies.
  • Imagine – you’ve been asked to look at different editions of something. You manage to find the first edition of an early English piece like Purcell’s Sonatas.
  • Or with a click of the mouse, you’re sitting looking at the same edition of the Plaine and Easie Guide that Morley’s peers first read. Time travel was never so much fun.

Here are some examples of what you'll find:-

  • Cantiones, quae ab argumento sacrae vocantur Tallis, 1575
  • A plaine and easie introduction to practicall musicke Morley, 1597
  • A breefe introduction to the skill of musick Playford, 1654
  • Sonnata's of III parts Purcell, 1683
  • Sonatae XII pro diversis instrumentis Finger, 1688
  • Deliciae musicae. Anon. Imprint: London : Printed by J. Heptinstall, for Henry Playford, 1695. An ode on the death of Mr. Henry Purcell ... Blow, 1696
  • Ten sonatas Purcell, 1697
  • Parte prima sonate a violino e violone o cimbalo dedicate all altezza serenissima electorale di Sofia Charlotta Corelli, 1700

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