Add a work
English «
Note: the ability to add classical works to the database is currently limited to a small group of people while we finalize the database standards for how works should be entered. If you need to add a work but do not currently have the ability to do so yourself, please post a request in the on the RYM forum.
Before adding a work to the database, please make sure to search for it to make sure it hasn't already been submitted by someone else. You can find works in one of two ways:
- Searching "artists" for the composer and browse their Works list
- Searching "classical works" for the work name
Note: When searching classical works, you can include the name of the composer to narrow the search, which is essential when searching for works with generic titles.
Contents |
Title
In general, a classical work will have many titles, which represent translations and variations of those translations. These rules are designed to make entering works as easy as possible while avoiding duplicates.
Works with generic titles
Works that have generic titles, such as "symphony", "sonata", "concerto", "string quartet", and "suite" should have their main title entered in English. If you are entering a work identified by a number or a key, it probably falls into this category.
For example:
"Symphony No. 5 in C minor" (Beethoven)
"Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor" (Chopin)
"String Quartet in G minor" (Debussy)
Concertos should be named in the form "Violin Concerto in D major", not "Concerto for violin and orchestra in D major". If you do not know how to handle the title in English, then enter it in its original language.
All other works
Any works where the above does not apply should have their main title entered in the original language. This will normally mean the title under which the work was first published or performed. This will usually, but not always, be the composer's native language. Any subtitles should be included.
For example:
"Ein deutsches Requiem" not "A German Requiem" (Brahms)
"Le nozze di Figaro, ossia la folle giornata" not "The Marriage of Figaro" (Mozart)
"Лебединое озеро" not "Swan Lake" (Tchaikovsky)
This also applies to works and movements which are known by a tempo indication, such as "Allegro molto", "Sehr lebhaft" or "Très vif". Do not translate these.
If you cannot find out the original title, then enter it in English, or in a version by which the work is commonly known. Add translations if you know them under Alternate titles.
Note that specifying the language of the title is mandatory (you cannot submit a work without it).
Work type
In general, works and movements fall into one of a small number of work types, such as Solo Instrument, Orchestral, Choral, etc..
Choose the appropriate work type from the dropdown list. If you're unsure what the most appropriate work type is it's acceptable to leave the field empty.
Credits
In this section, only composition-based credits should be entered, such as composer, songwriter, lyricist, etc.
Parent works
This is only used when adding movements. See the Add the movements section below for information on how to fill this section.
Composition date
If only a single composition date is known, enter it in the "from" field and leave the "to" field blank.
Opus number
Enter the opus number here, without the "Op." prefix.
Catalog numbers
Up to three catalog numbers can be entered here. When entering them on RYM, place a space between the prefix and the number, e.g. "BWV 1020" or "K. 220".
A Catalogue of classical compositions aims to be a comprehensive list of all works presently, or previously, attributed to a composer. Once adopted, by common consent, it can become the standard reference point for identifying works. The purpose for its creation ranges from the scholarly to the financial. Often catalogues are either updated by others or replaced and discarded. The catalogues can be chronological, thematic or neither. As a rule of thumb the first letter or letters refer to the catalogue's creator and are followed by a number.
Common catalogue abbreviations
Bach: BWV
Bartók: Sz. and BB
Beethoven: WoO and H.
Brahms: WoO
Chopin: KK and CT
Debussy: L.
Dvorak: B.
Franck: M.
Händel: HWV
Haydn: Hob.
Janáček: JW
Liszt: S.
Mozart: K. (see below)
Scarlatti: K., F. and L.
Schubert: D.
Schumann: WoO
Vivaldi: RV
Wagner: WWW
Weber: J.
Some works by Mozart are identified by two different numbers depending on whether the first or sixth edition of the Köchel catalogue is used. If you know both, list them separated by a slash, for example: K. 333/315c
Alternate titles
Enter any alternate titles for this work in this section. Specifying the type and language for alternate names is mandatory.
- Translation
The title by which a piece is usually known in another language.
Examples: "Christ on the Mount of Olives" is a translation of Beethoven's "Christus am Ölberge". "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is a translation of Dukas's "L'apprenti sorcier".
- Nickname
A short name popularly used to identify a piece.
Examples: "Moonlight Sonata" is a nickname for Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2. "Enigma Variations" is a nickname for Elgar's Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36. "Symphony of a Thousand" is a nickname for Mahler's Symphony No. 8.
- Alternative Title
A full title sometimes used as an alternative in the same language.
Examples: Schnittke's Symphony No. 5 is also known as his Concerto Grosso No. 4.
Meta-comments
Enter supporting sources and/or websites which prove the existence of this work.
Add the movements
Once you've added a work, you can add the individual movements that make up the work
Parent works section
When entering a movement of a larger work, this section is used to link the movement to that parent work. Once you've entered the credits of the movement, the parent work should appear in the list on the right. Choose the parent work.
The "work order" field represents the order that the movement you're entering should be listed under the parent. That means that you should enter 1 if you're entering the first movement of the parent, 2 for the second movement, etc.
Once you've entered a work and its movements into the database, you can Add Classical releases that contain performances of those works.