A comparison of uniform titles and preferred titles

Music Cataloging at Yale ♪ Preferred titles

A comparison of uniform titles (AACR2) and preferred titles (RDA) for musical works

Initial title element (AACR2)/preferred title (RDA) (6.14.2.5 and LC-PCC PS for 6.14.2.5)

Language (6.14.2.5.1)

In AACR2, when the initial title element was a type of composition, all foreign language forms of the name of that type were translated into the accepted English form when it had cognates in English, French, German, and Italian.
In RDA, when the preferred title is a type of composition, the English form is used whenever the name of the type in another language is a cognate. Those forms of the name that are not cognates are used in the original language.

AACR2:
RDA:

Movimenti, ‡m instrumental ensemble
Movements, ‡m organ, piano, recorders (2), flutes (2), clarinets (2), saxophone, violin, guitar, percussion, viola
The change in medium of performance follows 6.15.1.5

AACR2:
RDA:

Pezzi, ‡m piano, ‡n op. 24
Pieces, ‡m piano, ‡n op. 24

AACR2:
RDA:

P'esy, ‡m piano, ‡n op. 110
Pieces, ‡m piano, ‡n op. 110

AACR2:
RDA:

P'esy, ‡m piano, ‡n op. 12. ‡p IUmoristicheskoe skertso
Pieces, ‡m piano, ‡n op. 12. ‡p IUmoristicheskoe skertso
Note that the preferred title is in English; the title of the part remains in Russian.

AACR2:

Music, ‡m violoncello
In AACR2, the word "music" had cognates in English, French, German, and Italian. Therefore, all foreign language forms of the word were translated into English.

RDA:

Hudba, ‡m cello
In RDA, because the word "hudba" is not a cognate of "music," so the Czech form is used.
The change in medium of performance from "violoncello(s)" to "cello(s)" was implemented with RDA.

Trio sonatas

In AACR2 (25.29C1), the uniform title Trio sonata(s) was used for 17th- and 18th-century works for two treble instruments and continuo that were variously titled "Sonata," "Trio," "Sonate a tre," etc.
This instruction was not carried over into RDA.
In RDA use:
     Trio(s) for 17th- and 18th-century works for two treble instruments and continuo with the title "Trio" (or cognates of it)
     Sonata(s) for 17th- and 18th-century works for two treble instruments and continuo with the "Sonata" (or cognates of it)
     Trio sonata(s) for 17th- and 18th-century works for two treble instruments and continuo with the title "Trio sonata" (or cognates of it)

Singular vs plural (6.14.2.5.2)

In AACR2, it was unclear whether a title would be given in singular or plural form when a composer wrote two works of the same type and used a distinctive title for one of the works.
RDA makes explicit that the title of a type of composition should be recorded in the plural if the composer wrote more than one work of that type with the same title [emphasis added].

Statement of medium of performance (6.15.1.5)

Medium

In AACR2, the medium was given according to the list in 25.30B4.
RDA LC-PCC PS 6.28.1.9.1: use LCMPT terms in the authorized access point, adjusting the form to plural if needed.

Number of elements

In AACR2, the number of elements that could be named in the statement of medium of performance was limited to three, except when the initial title element was "trio(s)," "quartet(s)," or "quintet(s)."
In RDA, more than three elements are allowed.

AACR2:
RDA:

Fantasies, ‡m recorder, strings
Fantasies, ‡m recorder, violins (2), viola, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Partita, ‡m brasses
Partita, ‡m trumpets (2), horn, trombone, tuba

AACR2:
RDA:

Movimenti, ‡m woodwinds, horn
Movements, ‡m flute, oboes (2), clarinets (2), horn, bassoons (2)
The initial title element Movimenti was also changed to the preferred title Movements as per 6.14.2.5.1

AACR2:
RDA:

Pieces, ‡m winds, violin, violoncello
Pieces, ‡m flutes (2), horn, trumpet, violin, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Toccatas, ‡m woodwinds, strings
Toccatas, ‡m flute, oboe, clarinet, violins (2), viola, cello, double bass

AACR2:
RDA:

Sextets, ‡m piano, strings
Sextets, ‡m piano, violins (2), viola, cello, double bass
The number of violins is indicated; implied numbering has been removed from RDA

AACR2:
RDA:

Sextets, ‡m woodwinds, horn, strings
Sextets, ‡m oboe, horn, bassoon, violin, viola, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Octet, ‡m woodwinds, horns (2)
Octet, ‡m oboes (2), clarinet, basset horn, horns (2), bassoons (2)
Each instrument can now be named.
The number of each instrument is also indicated; implied numbering has been removed from RDA

AACR2:
RDA:

Larghettos, ‡m woodwinds, horns (2)
Larghettos, ‡m flutes (2), basset horn, horns (2), bassoon
The number of each instrument is also indicated; implied numbering has been removed from RDA

AACR2:
RDA:

Sonatina, ‡m winds, percussion
Sonatina, ‡m flutes (2), oboes (2), clarinet, bassoons (2), horn, trumpets (2), trombones (3), timpani, xylophone

AACR2:
RDA:

Movement, ‡m harpsichord, piano, winds
Movement, ‡m harpsichord, piano, flutes (3), clarinets (2), bassoon, horns (2), trumpet

AACR2:
RDA:

Concertinos, ‡m instrumental ensemble, string orchestra
Concertinos, ‡m piano, saxophones (4), pedal harp, percussion, string orchestra

AACR2:
RDA:

Pieces, ‡m instrumental ensemble
Pieces, ‡m piano, clarinet, horn, trumpet, pedal harp, chimes, violin, viola, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Pieces, ‡m instrumental ensemble
Pieces, ‡m organ, trumpets (4), horns (4), trombones (4), baritone, tuba, timpani, percussion, pedal harp

AACR2:
RDA:

Nonet, ‡m winds, percussion, strings, ‡n op. 40
Nonet, ‡m flute, clarinet, bassoon, horn, percussion, trumpet, trombone, violin, double bass, ‡n op. 40

AACR2:
RDA:

Impromptus, ‡m instrumental ensemble, ‡n no. 1, op. 133
Impromptus, ‡m piano, flute, clarinet, percussion, violin, cello, ‡n no. 1, op. 133

AACR2:
RDA:

Movimenti, ‡m instrumental ensemble
Movements, ‡m organ, piano, recorders (2), flutes (2), clarinets (2), saxophone, violin, guitar, percussion, viola
The initial title element Movimenti was also changed to the preferred title Movements as per 6.14.2.5.1.

AACR2:
RDA:

Octet, ‡m instrumental ensemble
Octet, ‡m flute, clarinets (2), percussion, violin, viola, cello
The number of clarinets is indicated; implied numbering has been removed from RDA

AACR2:
RDA:

Introduzione, corale et marcia, ‡m instrumental ensemble
Introduzione, corale et marcia, ‡m piano, piccolo, flutes (2), oboes (2), English horn, clarinets (3), bassoons (2), contrabassoon, horns (4), trumpets (3), trombones (3), tuba, percussion, double basses (4)

AACR2:
RDA:

Music, ‡m instrumental ensemble
Music, ‡m organ, crumhorns (4), shawms (4), cornett, trombones (3), percussion, lute, theorbo, viole da braccio (2), viole da gamba (4)

AACR2:
RDA:

Inventions, ‡m instrumental ensemble
Inventions, ‡m celesta, harpsichord, piano, piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinets (3), English horn, saxophone, bassoon, contrabassoon, trumpets (3), trombones (2), flügelhorn, horns (2), baritone, tuba, glockenspiel, pedal harp

AACR2:
RDA:

Song cycle, ‡m mezzo-soprano, instrumental ensemble
Song cycle, ‡m mezzo-soprano, piano, flute, clarinet, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Prelude, adagio and chorale, ‡m unison voices, brasses
Prelude, adagio and chorale, ‡m unison voices, trumpets (2), horn, trombone, tuba

AACR2:
RDA:

Canti trilogy, ‡m mixed solo voices, instrumental ensemble
Canti trilogy, ‡m soprano, tenor, bass, piano, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, cello, double bass

AACR2:
RDA:

Evangelienmotetten, ‡m mixed voices, instrumental ensemble
Evangelienmotetten, ‡m mixed voices, flute, pedal harp, double bass, timpani, gong, tam-tam
This is a distinctive title that requires the medium of performance to resolve a conflict.
Note that three individual percussion instruments are named, rather than using the term percussion.

Implied numbering

In AACR2, when two or more of a particular instrument or voice was required, the appropriated Arabic number in parentheses after the name of that instrument or voice unless the number is implicit in the initial title element.
In RDA, always add the number of parts in the authorized access point when there is more than one part for a particular instrument or voice.

AACR2:
RDA:

Duets, ‡m violins
Duets, ‡m violins (2)

AACR2:
RDA:

Quartets, ‡m violins, violas
Quartets, ‡m violins (2), violas (2)

AACR2:
RDA:

Quintets, ‡m trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba
Quintets, ‡m trumpets (2), horn, trombone, tuba

AACR2:
RDA:

Sextets, ‡m violins, violas, cellos
Sextets, ‡m violins (2), violas (2), cellos (2)

Standard chamber combinations

In AACR2 and RDA until April 2014, the following practice was applied to works for three to five instruments that fall into one of the standard combinations:

Former practice: works for three to five instruments considered to be standard combinations followed the treatment outlined in this table:

Standard chamber combinations	Initial title element/preferred title was Trio(s), Quartet(s), or Quintet(s), these terms were used for the medium of performance	Initial title element/preferred title was *not* Trio(s), Quartet(s), or Quintet(s), these terms were used for the medium of performance
violin, viola, cello	strings	string trio
2 violins, viola, cello	strings	string quartet
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon	woodwinds	woodwind quartet
flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon	winds	wind quintet
piano, violin, cello	piano, strings	piano trio
piano, violin, viola, cello	piano, strings	piano quartet
piano, 2 violins, viola, cello	piano, strings	piano quintet

The April 2014 RDA update eliminated this practice.

Current practice: Name each instrument.
Note: LCSH still uses the names of standard chamber combinations followed by the word "music"; e.g., Piano trio music, String quartet music.

AACR2:
RDA:

Trios, ‡m piano, strings
Trios, ‡m piano, violin, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Sonatas, ‡m piano trio
Sonatas, ‡m piano, violin, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Trios, ‡m strings
Trios, ‡m violin, viola, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Prelude, adagio and fugue, ‡m string trio
Prelude, adagio and fugue, ‡m violin, viola, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Quartets, ‡m strings
Quartets, ‡m violins (2), viola, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Variations, ‡m string quartet
Variations, ‡m violins (2), viola, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Pezzi, ‡m string quartet
Pieces, ‡m violins (2), viola, cello
The initial title element Pezzi was also changed to the preferred title Pieces as per 6.14.2.5.1.

AACR2:
RDA:

Pieces, ‡m woodwind quartet
Pieces, ‡m flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon

AACR2:
RDA:

Quintets, ‡m piano, strings
Quintets, ‡m piano, violins (2), viola, cello

AACR2:
RDA:

Pastorale, ‡m wind quintet
Pastorale, ‡m flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn

AACR2:
RDA:

Quintets, ‡m winds
Quintets, ‡m flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon

Vocal medium of performance

Solo voice(s)

AACR2:
RDA:

‡m voice
‡m singer
use "singer" when no type or range of voice or age or gender of the performer is specified

AACR2:
RDA:

‡m high voice
‡m high voice
     use when range, but not type of voice or age or gender of the performer is specified
‡m female voice
     use when gender (but not age) of the performer, but not range or type of voice, is specified
‡m child's voice
     use when the age (but not gender) of the performer, but not range or type of voice is specified
‡m soprano voice
     used when the type of voice is specified; note that the word "voice" is included

AACR2:
RDA:

‡m soprano, tenor
‡m soprano voice, tenor voice
note that the word "voice" is included

AACR2:
RDA:

‡m voices
‡m soprano voice, tenor voice
‡m soprano voices (2)
note that the word "voice(s)" is included

AACR2:
RDA:

‡m mixed solo voices
‡m singers (4)

Choruses

AACR2:
RDA:

‡m mixed voices, ‡m women's voices, ‡m men's voices, ‡m children's voices, ‡m unison voices
‡m mixed chorus, ‡m women's chorus, ‡m men's chorus, ‡m children's chorus, ‡m unison chorus
although it is not stated in RDA and it is not official LC policy, some preferred titles in the authority file include number of parts: ‡m mixed chorus (4 parts)
‡m equal voices was used in AACR2 and is still used in RDA for a chorus in which all the voices parts are for one type of voice

Song and choral accompaniment

AACR2:
RDA:

Songs, ‡m guitar acc.
Songs, ‡m guitar accompaniment

AACR2:
RDA:

Songs, ‡m oboe, horn, strings acc.
Songs, ‡m oboe, horn, violins (2), viola, cello accompaniment

AACR2:
RDA:

Songs, ‡m instrumental ensemble accompaniment
Songs, ‡m piano, flute, violin, cello accompaniment

AACR2:
RDA:

Cantata, ‡m soprano, instrumental ensemble
Cantata, ‡m soprano voice, piano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, glockenspiel

AACR2:
RDA:

Rhapsodies, ‡m soprano, tenor, instrumental ensemble
Rhapsodies, ‡m soprano voice, tenor voice, flute, clarinet, violins (2), viola, cello, double bass

AACR2:
RDA:

Vocalise, unacc.
Vocalise, unaccompanied

Adding medium of performance to resolve conflicts

In AACR2 (25.31B1), statements of medium of performance were added to identical distinctive uniform titles for two or more different works by the same composer, except when the works were all for the same medium of performance and medium of performance was insufficient to resolve the conflict. Some other element was added to render the uniform titles unique.
Some catalogers are interpreting RDA as saying medium of performance is included even when the works are all for the same medium.

AACR2:

RDA:

Petite suite ‡n (1889)
Petite suite ‡n (1890)
Petite suite ‡n (1889)
Petite suite ‡n (1890)
The AACR2 and RDA practices are the same in this example.

AACR2:

RDA:

Petite suite, ‡n op. 169
Petite suite, ‡n op. 189
Petite suite, ‡n op. 192
Petite suite, ‡n op. 198
Petite suite, ‡m guitar, ‡n op. 169
Petite suite, ‡m guitar, ‡n op. 189
Petite suite, ‡m guitar, ‡n op. 192
Petite suite, ‡m guitar, ‡n op. 198
The AACR2 and RDA practices differ in this example.

AACR2:

RDA:

Concert studies, ‡n op. 14, no. 1
Concert study, ‡n op. 48, no. 2
Concert studies, ‡m piano, ‡n op. 14, no. 1
Concert study, ‡m piano, ‡n op. 48, no. 2, ‡r E♭
In both AACR2 and RDA, when the only difference between two distinctive titles is that one is singular and the other is plural, they are considered to be identical.
Note that medium of performance as well as key was added to the second title

Further additions

The order of further subfields in an authorized access point has changed from AACR2 to RDA:
Damian Iseminger, MOUG-L, 10/8/2014:
"Since Selections is considered a work element in RDA, it should be with the work subfields.
For the remaining additions, RDA prescribes no order, but several of us have advocated for using AACR2 order. Thus:
   ° Sketches,
   ° Arrangement,
   ° Vocal score(s),
   ° Chorus score(s),
   ° Language."

In other words
° Work subfields: t, m, n, r, k
° Expression subfields: o, s, l

Selections

"Selections" is a work element and should always follow the work title.

AACR2:
RDA:

Médée. ‡l Italian. ‡k Selections
Médée. ‡k Selections. ‡l Italian

AACR2:
RDA:

Who wants a wife. ‡s Vocal score. ‡k Selections
Who wants a wife. ‡k Selections. ‡s Vocal score

AACR2:
RDA:

Ring des Nibelungen. ‡l Danish. ‡k Selections
Ring des Nibelungen. ‡k Selections. ‡l Danish

AACR2:
RDA:

Literary works. ‡l German. ‡k Selections
Literary works. ‡k Selections. ‡l German

Language of text

AACR2:

RDA:

Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht. ‡s Vocal score. ‡l English & German
In AACR2, two languages could be named, with the original language given second.
Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht. ‡s Vocal score [no language indicated because it is German, the original language]
Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht. ‡s Vocal score. ‡l English
In RDA, separate authorized access points are created for each language expression (definition of expression)

AACR2:

RDA:

Barnlige sange. ‡l Polyglot
In AACR2, Polyglot was used for three or more languages.
Barnlige sange. ‡l Norwegian
Barnlige sange. ‡l German
Barnlige sange. ‡l English
In RDA, separate authorized access points are created for each language expression (definition of expression)

Librettos

AACR2:
RDA:

Auber, D. F. E. ‡q (Daniel François Esprit), ‡d 1782-1871. ‡t Fra Diavolo. ‡l Libretto
Scribe, Eugène, ‡d 1791-1861. ‡t Fra Diavolo

See a list of authority records established in RDA for librettos

Arrangements

AACR2:
RDA:

Aria, ‡m organ; ‡o arr.
Aria, ‡m organ; ‡o arranged

Selections/arrangements/language

AACR2:
RDA:

English. ‡k Selections
Selections. ‡l English

AACR2:
RDA:

English. ‡k Selections; ‡o arr.
Selections; ‡o arranged. ‡l English

AACR2:
RDA:

Vocal score. ‡l English. ‡k Selections
Selections. ‡s Vocal score. ‡l English

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A comparison of uniform titles and preferred titles

A comparison of uniform titles (AACR2) and preferred titles (RDA) for musical works