Specific titles
If you are looking for a piece that has a unique title like Verdi’s Il Trovatore, you can search for the composer and title in Library Search.
After running your search, select Scores under the Resource Type filter. If you do not see Scores, click on Show More.
If you’re interested in only physical copies of a score, select the Held by library filter under Availability.
You may also find it helpful to use the Advanced Search option:
- Choose Author/Creator from the “any field” drop-down list and place the composer’s name in the search box (e.g., Verdi).
- Choose Title from the next “any field” drop-down list and place the title of the piece in the search box (e.g., Il Trovatore). Click Search.
Generic titles
If you are searching for a piece that has a generic title (i.e., the name is based on a musical form) and may include an opus (or other identifying number) like Chopin’s Prelude Op. 28, no. 10, it is sometimes more effective to use the simple Library Search.
Instead of inserting “Chopin Prelude op. 28, no. 10” in the search box, include the composer’s name and pluralized form name with the opus number (e.g., Chopin preludes op. 28). Then, limit to Scores.
More resources
Visit the Music Research Guide for more information on music resources, including different types of music databases and how to access content about musicians themselves.