String Music Subject Guide - University Libraries, University of Hartford
Skip to Top Navigation Skip to Utility Navigation Skip to Search Skip to Left Navigation Skip to Content
  • Services
  • User Information
  • Get Help
  •  

    String Music - Subject Guide

    Return to Subject Guide list
    Return to Music category
    Printer-friendly version
    Sections in this category: Books about the Violin | Books for Finding Music | Periodicals | Violin Music in the Library | Websites

    Books about the Violin

    The Amadeus Book of the Violin
    By Walter Kolneder. Allen Library [ML800 K64]
    This is a highly-detailed resource covering the violin's construction, maintenance, history (with an emphasis on violin makers), performance practice, historical pedagogy, and repertoire. Check Status

    The Contemporary Violin
    By Patricia Strange and Allen Strange. Allen Library [ML857 S77]
    Discusses a wide range of extended techniques for the violin such as harmonics and subharmonics, non-synchronous bowing, different tuning systems, modified bows, electronics, and much more. Check Status

    Principles of Violin Playing & Teaching
    By Ivan Galamian. Allen Library [MT260 G14 P 1985]
    A detailed discussion of violin technique from one of the preeminent masters of violin pedagogy. Check Status

    The Violin: A Research and Information Guide
    By Mark Katz. Allen Library Reference (REF ML128 V79 K37)
    Bibliography listing other works (mostly books and journal articles) about the violin, organized by topic. Most valuable may be the section on resources about specific violin works. Check Status

    See more books about the violin


    Books for Finding Music

    Annotated Catalogue of American Violin Music Composed Between 1947-1961
    By Jerome Landsman. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 V79 L2]
    Listing of mid-20th century sonatas and suites by American composers for violin, both unaccompanied and with piano. Check Status

    Index of Violin Music
    By Wayne Wilkins. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 S9 W]
    Lists works for a large number of different instrumental combinations, all including violin. Check Status


    Periodicals

    Violin Music in the Library

    Click links below to search for items in the library catalog, or use the call numbers below to browse the shelves at the Allen Library.

    Method Books - Violin
    MT262, MT265, MT267 - MT271

    Orchestral Excerpts - Violin
    MT266

    Violin and piano
    M217 - M223

    Violin concertos (with orchestra)
    M1012 - M1013

    Violin concertos (with string orchestra)
    M1112 - M1113

    Violin solo
    M40 - M44


    Websites

    Violin Society of America
    Lists competitions, conventions, useful web sites, and publications.


    Sections in this category: Books about the Viola | Books for Finding Music | Periodicals | Viola Music in the Library | Websites

    Books about the Viola

    The History of the Viola
    By Maurice Riley, Maurice. Allen Library Stacks [ML900 R54 H5 v.1 & v.2]
    This two-volume set covers the history of the viola from the 16th through 20th centuries. Check Status

    Playing the Viola: Conversations with William Primrose
    By David Dalton. Allen Library [MT280 D36 P]
    Created from recordings of conversations between violists David Dalton and William Primrose, this book covers topics such as viola technique, practicing, teaching, interpretation, programming, and more. Check Status

    See more books about the viola


    Books for Finding Music

    Music for Viola
    By Michael Williams. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 V78 W]
    Lists thousands of works for viola, including solo viola, viola with keyboard accompaniment, and viola with orchestra, as well as a few pages of miscellaneous works with viola. Check Status


    Periodicals

    Viola Music in the Library

    Click links below to search for items in the library catalog, or use the call numbers below to browse the shelves at the Allen Library.

    Method Books - Viola
    MT282, MT285, MT287-MT291

    Orchestral Excerpts - Viola
    MT286

    Viola and piano
    M224 - M228

    Viola concertos (with orchestra)
    M1014 - M1015

    Viola concertos (with string orchestra)
    M1114 - M1115

    Viola solo
    M45 - M49


    Websites

    International Viola Society
    Includes the Primrose International Viola Archive at Brigham Young University.


    Sections in this category: Books about the Cello | Books for Finding Music | Cello Music in the Library | Periodicals | Websites

    Books about the Cello

    The Cambridge Companion to the Cello
    By Robin Stowell (ed.). Allen Library [ML910 .C36 1999]
    This series of essays on the cello covers many topics such as history, acoustics, cello masters, repertoire, performance practice, and more. Check Status

    Cello
    By William Pleeth. Allen Library [MT300 P72]
    This book is divided into four section: The Philosophy of Playing the Cello, The Basics of Technique on the Cello, Teachers and Parents, and The History and Repertoire of the Cello. Check Status

    One Hundred Years of Violoncello: A History of Technique and Performance Practice, 1740 -1840
    By Valerie Walden. Allen Library Stacks [ML915 W15]
    Part history book and part guide to performance practice, this resource examines an important period in the history of the cello. Check Status

    See more books about the cello


    Books for Finding Music

    Bibliography of Cello Ensemble Music
    By Claude Kenneson. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 V79 K]
    Listing of original and arranged works for cello ensembles, ranging from two cellos to twelve cellos, with a few works listed for cello orchestra. Check Status

    Cello Music since 1960: A Bibliography
    By Donald Homuth. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 V79 H66]
    Lists thousands of pieces for cello written in the mid- to late-20th century. Includes works for solo cello, cello with one other instrument, cello with ensemble, cello with tape/electronics, and some other miscellaneous works including cello. Check Status

    The Solo Cello
    By Dimitry Markevitch. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 V82 M37]
    Lists about 1000 works for unaccompanied cello, including approximate durations of most pieces. Check Status


    Cello Music in the Library

    Click links below to search for items in the library catalog, or use the call numbers below to browse the shelves at the Allen Library.

    Method Books - Cello
    MT302, MT305, MT307-MT310

    Orchestral Excerpts - Cello
    MT306

    Violoncello and piano
    M229 - M236

    Violoncello concertos (with orchestra)
    M1016 - M1017

    Violoncello concertos (with string orchestra)
    M1116 - M1117

    Violoncello solo
    M50 - M54


    Periodicals

    Websites

    Internet Cello Society
    Provides technique tips, information for professional and amateur cellists, a newsletter and library, internet links, bulletin board, etc.


    Sections in this category: Bass Music in the Library | Books about the Bass | Books for Finding Music | Periodicals | Websites

    Bass Music in the Library

    Click links below to search for items in the library catalog, or use the call numbers below to browse the shelves at the Allen Library.

    Double bass and piano
    M237 - M238

    Double bass concertos (with orchestra)
    M1018

    Double bass concertos (with string orchestra)
    M1118

    Double bass solo
    M55 - M58

    Method Books - Bass
    MT322, MT330

    Orchestral Excerpts - Bass
    MT331


    Books about the Bass

    The Contemporary Contrabass
    By Bertram Turetzky. Allen Library [MT320 T93 1989]
    Examines double bass techniques in the areas of pizzicato, bowing, the bass as a drum, vocal and speech sounds, harmonics, and miscellanea. Check Status

    The Double Bass: A Philosophy of Playing
    By Yoan Goilav. Allen Library [MT320 G65 C65]
    Provides a detailed examination of bass technique as well as a philosophy of playing the double bass. Check Status

    A New History of the Double Bass
    By Paul Brun. Allen Library [ML920 B78 N4]
    In addition to a general history of the double bass, this book more specific histories of performance practice, tunings, bass sizes, bows, strings, and accessories. Check Status

    See more books about the bass


    Books for Finding Music

    Comprehensive Catalogue of Music, Books, Recordings and Videos for the Double Bass. 4th ed.
    By Murray Grodner. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 D58 G76]
    This resource mostly lists works for double bass in various instrumentation combinations, but it also lists a number of books for the double bass, with descriptions of most of the books. Check Status


    Periodicals

    Websites

    International Society of Double Bassists
    This site has information about the society, conventions, competitions, advertisers, and links to related sites.

    Lemur Music
    Comprehensive source of music, instruments, and supplies for double bassists.


    Sections in this category: Books about String Quartets | String Quartet Music in the Library

    Books about String Quartets

    The Art of Quartet Playing
    By The Guarneri Quartet and David Blum. Allen Library [MT728 B65]
    The Guarneri Quartet, in conversation with David Blum, provide their thoughts on many aspects of string quartet playing, including examples using many different works within the repertoire. Check Status

    Composing the Modern Subject: Four String Quartets by Dmitri Shostakovich
    By Sarah Reichardt. Allen Library [MT145 S55 R45]
    Discusses Shostakovich's quartets in general, followed by specific examinations of the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th quartets. Check Status

    Inside Beethoven's Quartets
    By Lewis Lockwood and the Juilliard String Quartet. Allen Library [MT145 B41 L63 Q]
    In addition to historical backgrounds of the Op. 18 quartets, the "Razumovsky" quartets, and the late quartets, the books also includes conversations with and scores annotated by the Juilliard String Quartet, focusing on Opus 18 no.1, Opus 59 no.1, and Opus 130. Check Status

    The String Quartet: A History
    By Paul Griffiths. Allen Library [ML1160 G85]
    Covers the history of the string quartet repertoire from the mid-18th century to the mid-20th century. Check Status

    The String Quartets of Joseph Haydn
    By Floyd Grave and Margaret Grave. Allen Library [MT145 H41 G73]
    An in-depth examination of the Haydn string quartets, looking at them both in relation to each other and individually. Check Status

    String Quartets: A Research and Information Guide
    By Mara Parker. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 S9 P37 2011]
    Bibliography of resources (mostly books and journal articles) about string quartets. Include a large section devoted to resources on string quartets of specific composers. Check Status

    See more books about string quartets


    String Quartet Music in the Library

    Click links below to search for items in the library catalog, or use the call numbers below to browse the shelves at the Allen Library.

    String quartets (violins(2), viola, cello)
    M451 - M452


    Sections in this category: Books about Viols | Books for Finding Music | Periodicals | Viol Music in the Library | Websites

    Books about Viols

    The Early History of the Viol
    By Ian Woodfield. Allen Library [ML760 V7 W]
    An in-depth look at the history of the viol from its origins through the 16th century. Check Status

    History of the Violoncello, the Viol da Gamba, Their Precursors and Collateral Instruments
    By Edmund S. J. van der Straeten. Allen Library [ML910 S89 H58]
    Although this two volume book focuses mostly on the cello, it does devote early chapters to the viol da gamba and other related early instruments. Check Status

    Lutes, Viols and Temperaments
    By Mark Lindley. Allen Library [ML3809 L74]
    Discusses the various tuning systems that have historically been used for lutes and viols. Check Status

    The Viola da Gamba: Its Origin and History, Its Technique and Musical Resources
    By Nathalie Dolmetsch. Allen Library [ML760 D66 1975]
    Includes chapters on the history of the viol, sizes and tunings, technique, performance practice, and more. Check Status


    Books for Finding Music

    Published Music for the Viola da Gamba and Other Viols
    By Robin De Smet. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 V81 D]
    Lists a large number of published works for 1-10 viols, as well as works for viol(s) with other instruments. Check Status

    Thematic Index of Music for Viols
    By Gordon Dodd. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 V81 D6]
    Lists themes for hundreds of works for viols. Indicates publication information where applicable. Check Status


    Periodicals

    Viol Music in the Library

    Click links below to search for items in the library catalog, or use the call numbers below to browse the shelves at the Allen Library.

    Method Books - Early Stringed Instruments
    MT336 - MT338

    Viol and Keyboard Instrument
    M239


    Websites

    Viola da Gamba Society of America
    A well-organized site where you can find information about the society, events and workshops, grant programs, classified ads, and links to early music sites.


    Sections in this category: Books for Finding Music | Periodicals | String Music in the Library | Websites | Websites

    Books for Finding Music

    Orchestral Excerpts: A Comprehensive Index
    By Carolyn Rabson. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 O5 R2]
    Indicates in which books excerpts for particular works can be found. Check Status

    String Music in Print
    By Margaret Farish. Allen Library Reference [REF ML128 S9 F22 1973 & Suppls.]
    Lists about 9,000 works for string instruments, including solo works, ensemble works, and method books. Organized by instrumentation with a composer/title index. Check Status


    Periodicals

    String Music in the Library

    Click links below to search for items in the library catalog, or use the call numbers below to browse the shelves at the Allen Library.

    2 string instruments
    M286 - M287

    2 string instruments and piano
    M310 - M314

    3 string instruments and piano
    M410 - M414

    4 string instruments and piano
    M510 - M514

    String quartets (any four string instruments)
    M450 - M454

    String quintets
    M550 - M554

    String trios
    M349 - M353

    NOTE:
    For Sextets, Septets, Octets, Nonets use the same formulae as Quartets and Quintets,
    thus M 850 - M 854 are string octets:


    Websites

    Suzuki Program at the Hartt School
    Information on the Suzuki method of instruction as taught in The Hartt School's Community Division.


    Websites

    American String Teachers Association
    ASTA's home page includes publications, competitions, conferences, state chapters, and job listings.


    Searching by Instrumentation
    You can search the catalog for works of a particular instrumentation. Simply use the "Subject" and "Scores" limiters. See sample terms below.



    Subject terms generally follows a pattern, regardless of the instrument. Below are some sample terms that could be used in your search. Just replace the listed instrument(s) with the instrument(s) you want.
    • violin music [use this for a solo work, without any accompaniment]
    • sonatas violin
    • violin with piano [use this for solo work with accompaniment
    • violin and viola music [use this for duets with different instruments]
    • violin music violins 2 [use this for duets for the same instrument]
    • concertos violin
    • string quartets
    To determine other appropriate subject headings, look at the "related subjects" field in the catalog record for an an item with that instrumentation.


    Omit all parentheses and dashes before searching. In the above example, you would search for string sextets violins 2 violas 2 violoncellos 2.