The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians: A History of the Definitive Reference
For scholars, musicians, and historians, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians stands as one of the most comprehensive resources in the field of musicology. Evolving from a traditional print encyclopedia into a digital powerhouse, this publication has meticulously documented the lives of composers and the evolution of musical theory and practice.
The First Edition of The New Grove
Published in 1980, the first edition of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians represented a massive leap in musical documentation. Under the leadership of senior editor Stanley Sadie and main editor Nigel Fortune, the work expanded to 20 volumes. This monumental set featured 22,500 articles and 16,500 biographies, providing an unprecedented depth of knowledge for the era.
The publication remained a staple of academic libraries, with reprints featuring minor corrections issued nearly every year between 1980 and 1995 (excluding 1982 and 1983). By the mid-1990s, the hardback set commanded a price of approximately $2,300, while a more accessible paperback edition released in 1995 sold for $500.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Specialized Spin-offs
To make the vast amount of information more accessible, certain sections of The New Grove were released as smaller, topic-specific sets. These spin-offs often included updated and expanded material. Notable examples include:
- Dictionary of American Music: Originally a four-volume set (1984), later revised into eight volumes in 2013.
- Dictionary of Musical Instruments: A three-volume set published in 1984.
- Dictionary of Opera: A four-volume set published in 1992.
- Women Composers: A dedicated volume published in 1994.
The Second Edition and the Digital Transition
In 2001, the second edition of The New Grove (the seventh overall edition of the original work) was released. This version expanded further to 29 volumes, edited by Stanley Sadie with John Tyrrell serving as executive editor. According to Sadie, the most significant expansion in this edition was the coverage of 20th-century composers.
This era marked a pivotal shift toward digital accessibility. The publication was launched as a subscription-based internet service known as Grove Music Online. While there were initial plans to release the content on CD-ROM, those plans were eventually abandoned.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Reception and Corrections
Despite its comprehensive nature, the second edition faced criticism for a significant number of factual and typographical errors. Some of these errors were severe enough to require the re-issuing of two volumes to correct omissions in Richard Wagner's bibliography and Igor Stravinsky's worklist. Similarly, the early version of Grove Music Online was criticized for its layout, specifically the decision to keep images separate from the main text rather than integrating them.
Key Facts
- First Edition (1980): 20 volumes, 22,500 articles, and 16,500 biographies.
- Second Edition (2001): 29 volumes with a major focus on 20th-century composers.
- Key Editors: Stanley Sadie (Senior Editor) and John Tyrrell (Executive Editor for the 2nd edition).
- Digital Evolution: Transitioned to a subscription web service called Grove Music Online.
- Specialized Works: Includes dedicated dictionaries for American music, opera, musical instruments, and women composers.
Reference Summary
| Feature | First Edition (1980) | Second Edition (2001) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Volumes | 20 | 29 |
| Primary Editor | Stanley Sadie | Stanley Sadie |
| Format | Hardback / Paperback | Hardback / Web-based |
| Key Focus | General Musicology | 20th-Century Composers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the primary editors of The New Grove?
Stanley Sadie served as the senior editor for both the first and second editions. Nigel Fortune was a main editor for the first edition, and John Tyrrell served as the executive editor for the second edition.
What is Grove Music Online?
Grove Music Online is the subscription-based web version of the second edition of The New Grove, providing digital access to its extensive musical encyclopedia.
How much did the first edition cost in the 1990s?
In the mid-1990s, the hardback set sold for approximately $2,300, while the paperback edition released in 1995 was priced at $500.
What were some of the specialized spin-off publications?
The New Grove produced several focused sets, including dictionaries on American music, musical instruments, opera, and a specific volume dedicated to women composers.
What were the main criticisms of the second edition?
The second edition was criticized for containing numerous typographical and factual errors, including omissions in the bibliographies of Richard Wagner and Igor Stravinsky. The online version was also criticized for not integrating images directly into the text.