INTRODUCTION TO THE M CLASS

In the M class the number usually indicates medium or, in some cases, form or genre. One important exception is M3, the class number for complete editions of the works of individual composers. For example, to find the new complete edition of the works of J.S. Bach look under M3, then under B for Bach.

In the M class, instrumental music is numbered first, followed by secular vocal music, then sacred. Within instrumental music, solo and chamber music come first, followed by music for larger instrumental groups: full orchestra, then string orchestra, then band. Solo music for one instrument alone without accompaniment is numbered up to M179. Duets are mostly in the M200s, trios in the M300s, quartets M400s, etc. up to orchestral music beginning with M1000. Concertos are included in the M1000s (full orchestra) and M1100s (string orchestra). For most instruments the class number for full scores of concertos is followed by the number for scores with the orchestra parts reduced for piano. For example, violin concertos in full score are classed M1012, followed by violin concertos with piano reduction under M1013 (or M1112 and M1113 respectively for string orchestra). Consequently, one does not have to search in two different places to find full and reduced scores of concertos for a particular instrument, since they are together on the shelf.

Vocal music is unfortunately not ordered as neatly as instrumental. The class numbers begin approximately with M1500 for full scores of operas. Sacred vocal music follows secular, beginning approximately with M2000 for full scores of oratorios (notice that both secular and sacred begin in parallel with large dramatic works). The class for vocal scores of operas is M1503, and for oratorios, M2003. Solo songs, secular and sacred, do not have parallel numbers: the former begin with M1611, the latter with M2102. Collected songs of individual composers are under M1620. Song cycles are under M1621.4.

Each class number is arranged on the shelf alphabetically by composer. For example, if you are looking for a vocal score of an opera by Puccini, look in the M1503s under P. If you are looking for a collection of solo songs by Schubert, look in the M1620s under S. For symphonies by Mozart, look in the M1001s under M.

For more detail on the M class, see the Guide to the Library of Congress M Classification, available in the Media Center (ask at the service counter). Or see M class numbers for brass, guitar, organ, percussion, piano, strings, vocal music, woodwinds.

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rev. 29-Sept-98