Music in Micro-Formats

In addition to its printed scores, books, and recordings, Western Libraries holds significant microform collections of both printed and manuscript music, opera libretti, music periodicals, method books, instrumental tutors, and catalogues - on microfilm, microfiche, and microcard.

Click on the titles to view the bibliographic record and find the call number(s):

Of the major collections offered through GALE/CENGAGE, particularly their Primary Source Microfilms series [the former Harvester Microfilms, Reading, UK; subsequently acquired by Research Publications - Woodbridge, CT], we hold the complete "run" (1,875 reels =100%) of each of the below-named series (and have done, since 2008):

We have begun to acquire GALE/CENGAGE's European Music Manuscripts - Series 2 - Section B - Music. Units 2 - 8 inclusive, offering access to the holdings of Lisbon's Biblioteca da Ajuda (Portugal) and, as of 2011, European Music Manuscripts - Series 3 - Unit 1 - Music, which features the music library of the Fundação Braganca, the Biblioteca da Paco Ducal de Vila Vicosa.

Additional collections (from other publishers) available for consultation at the Music Library include:

While microformats may not be the most convenient for performing purposes, they represent a major scholarly research resource for both performers and scholars alike. The Music Library has a self-service Canon Micro-Reader onsite to facilitate viewing from either microfilm or microfiche.

Western's Music Library also has a micro-opaque reader for viewing microcards, however there are no facilities for copying microcards on the premises (nor are there any Canadian sites offering this service).

European Music Manuscripts

Published by Primary Source Microfilm / GALE-CENGAGE.

Series One: The British Library, London

Austrian, French, German, Russian, Spanish and other European Music, c. 1640 - 1820
Unit Number Call Number Finding Aid
Unit One: reels 1-18 M2.3.G7B7494 1998 ML136.L6B7424 1998 unit 1, PDF,
Unit Two: reels 19-33 ML136.L6B7424 1998 unit 2, PDF

Series Two: In the Biblioteca da Ajuda, Lisbon, 395 Reels

Section A: Music Before 1740 and Sacred Music
Unit Number Call Number Finding Aid
Unit One Not yet ordered Not yet ordered, PDF
Unit Two ? ? PDF
Section B: Music 1740-1770
Unit Number Call Number Finding Aid
Unit Three - reels 1-33 M2.3.P68L5A43 2000 ML136.P67A63 2000, PDF
Unit Four - reels 34-66 M2.3.P68L5A44 2000 ML136.P67A64 2000, PDF
Unit Five - reels 67-98 M2.3.P68L5A45 2000 ML136.P67A65 2000, PDF
Unit Six - reels 99-132 M2.3.P68L5A46 2000 ML136.P67A66 2000, PDF
Unit Seven - reels 133-165 M2.3.P68L5A47 2001 ML136.P67A67 2001, PDF
Unit Eight - reels 166-197 M2.3.P68L5A48 2001 ML136.P67A68 2001, PDF
Section C: Music 1770-1820
Unit Number Call Number Finding Aid
Unit Nine - reels 1-29 M2.3.P68L5A49 2001 ML136.P67A69 2001, PDF
Unit Ten - reels 30-59 (?) M2.3.P68L5A5 2002 ML136.P67A7 2002, PDF
Unit Eleven - reels 60-86 (?) M2.3.P68L5A51 2002 ML136.P67A71 2002, PDF
Unit Twelve - reels 87-118 M2.3.P68L5A52 2002 ML136.P67A72 2002  PDF
Unit 13 - reels 119-149 Not yet ordered Not yet ordered  PDF

From the Biblioteca da Paco Ducal de Vila Vicosa, Portugal

Series Three: Music from the Royal Theatres
Unit Number Call Number Finding Aid
Unit One - reels 1-60 M2.3.P68V5P33 2004 ML136.P67P33 2004, PDF


Music Manuscripts from the Great English Collections

Microfilm series - 994 reels - PRINT GUIDE TO SERIES: 1-10 (plus others - see below)
Originating Library Series / Part / Reels Finding Aids
Bodleian Library, Oxford UK 1 / 1 Unpublished Music mss. 16th/17th c. , Oxford Music School Collection, 19 reels
Bodleian Library, Oxford UK 1 / 2 Court Odes - William Boyce, 20 reels
Bodleian Library, Oxford UK 1 / 3 Music mss. - Maurice Greene and William Boyce, 17 reels
Bodleian Library, Oxford Music School Collection, Oxford UK 1 / 4 Unpublished English Music mss., pre-1850, Section A, 19 reels
Bodleian Library, Oxford Music School Collection, Oxford UK 1 / 5 Unpublished English Music mss., pre-1850, Section B, 23 reels
Bodleian Library, Oxford Music School Collection, Oxford UK 1 / 6 Unpublished Continental Music mss. 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, 15 reels
Collection of St. Michael's College, Tenbury, Bodleian Library, Oxford UK 2 / 1 Unpublished English and Continental Music mss. before 1650, 14 reels
Collection of St. Michael's College, Tenbury, Bodleian Library, Oxford UK 2 / 2 Unpublished English and Continental music mss. before 1650, 19 reels
Collection of St. Michael's College, Tenbury, Bodleian Library, Oxford UK 2 / 3-4 Unpublished English Music mss. before 1650, 44 reels
Collection of St. Michael's College, Tenbury, Bodleian Library, Oxford UK 2 / 5 Unpublished English Music mss., 1650 -1800, 10 reels
Christ Church, Oxford UK 3 / 1 Unpublished English Music mss. of the 16th and 17th centuries, 21 reels
Christ Church, Oxford UK 3 / 2 Unpublished English Music mss. of the 16th and 17th centuries, 24 reels
Christ Church, Oxford UK 3 / 3 Unpublished Continental Music mss. of the 16th and 17th centuries, 15 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 1 Part One: Polyphonic Music Before c.1640, Section A, 19 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 2 Part Two: Polyphonic Music Before c.1640, Section B, 22 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 3-4 English Music Manuscripts c.1640-1714, Sections A and B, 18 + 17 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 5 The Chapel Royal Part-Books in the British Library Royal Music Collection, c.1670-1850, 19 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 6 Handel manuscripts - Section A: Operas, Serenades and Odes, 23 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 7 Handel manuscripts - Section B: Oratorios and Church Music, 22 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 8 Handel manuscripts - Section C: Instrumental Music, Cantatas and Other Music, 17 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 9 English Music Manuscripts, c.1714-1810, Section A, 22 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 10 English Music Manuscripts, c.1714-1810, Section B, 24 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 11 British Music Manuscripts, c.1810 - c.1900 from the Egerton and Additional Manuscripts 19648-30925, 30 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 12 British Music Manuscripts, c.1810 - c.1900 from the Additional Manuscripts 31415-35120, 31 reels
British Library, London UK 4 / 13 British Music Manuscripts, c.1810 - c.1900 from the Additional Manuscripts 36524-60495 and Royal Music, 27 reels
Royal College of Music, London, UK 5 / 1-2 English Music Manuscripts Before c.1800, Sections A and B, 20 + 16 reels
Royal College of Music, London, UK 5 / 3-6 Continental Music Manuscripts before 1850, 17 + 17 + 17 + 17 reels
Royal College of Music, London, UK 5 / 7-8 English Music Manuscripts c.1800-c.1870, Sections A and B, 16 + 16 reels
Royal College of Music, London, UK 5 / 9 English Music Manuscripts, c.1870-1930, Sections A and B, 23 reels
Cambridge Libraries, Cambridge, UK 6 / 1 Music Manuscripts before 1850 from Cambridge University Library and Ely Cathedral, 11 reels
Cambridge Libraries, Cambridge, UK 6 / 2 Music Manuscripts in the Rowe Music Library, King's College, 37 reels
Cambridge Libraries, Cambridge, UK 6 / 3 Handel Manuscripts in the Fitzwilliam Museum, 18 reels
Cambridge Libraries, Cambridge, UK 6 / 4 English Music Manuscripts before c.1880 in the Fitzwilliam Museum, 21 reels
Cambridge Libraries, Cambridge, UK 6 / 5 Continental Music Manuscripts from the Fitzwilliam Museum; Section A, 27 reels
Cambridge Libraries, Cambridge, UK 6 / 6 Continental Music Manuscripts from the Fitzwilliam Museum; Section B, 28 reels
Royal Academy of Music, London UK 7 / 1 Part One: British and Continental Music Manuscripts; Section A, 24 reels
Royal Academy of Music, London UK 7 / 2 Part Two: British and Continental Music Manuscripts; Section B, 23 reels
Royal Academy of Music, London UK 7 / 3 Part Three: Previously Uncatalogued Music Manuscripts, 19 reels
Gerald Coke Handel Collection 8 / 1 Manuscripts. of individual works, 21 reels
Gerald Coke Handel Collection 8 / 2 Composite volumes and miscellanies; additional printed and manuscript items, 13 reels
Gerald Coke Handel Collection 8 / 3 Shaftesbury manuscripts, 19 reels
St. George's Chapel - Windsor 9 / 1 Music Mss. from Chapel and Cathedral Libraries, 23 reels

Printed Music Before 1800 also known as British Printed Music

Microfilm series - 330 reels
Originating Library Section / Reels Finding Aids
British Library, London, UK UNIT ONE: Individual Composers, Pre-1650
UNIT TWO: Anthologies and Tract Volumes, Pre-1650,
24 + 14 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B747 pt.1-2 1986		 (pt.1 & pt.2)
ML136.L82B7354 pt.1-2 1987
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT THREE: 1650-1750 - Individual Composers A-H and Tract Volumes A-H
UNIT FOUR: 1650-1750 - Individual Composers I-S,
28 + 18 reels - Archives Storage
M2.3.G7B748 1990		 pt.1 = Unit 3
pt 2 = Unit 4
ML 136.L82B7355 1992
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT FIVE: 1650-1750 - Individual Composers T-Y Tract Volumes I-Y and Anthologies 1650-1700,
22 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B7482 1992		 ML 136.L82B7356 1992 -
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT SIX: 1650-1750 - Anthologies, 1700-1750,
25 reels - Archives Storage
M2.3.G7B7483 1992		 ML 136.L82B7357 1992
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT SEVEN: 1650-1750 Handel: Operas, Oratorios, Masques and Odes,
25 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B74837 1992		 ML 136.L82B73577 1992
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT EIGHT: 1650-1750 - Handel: Duets and Trios, Arias and Songs, Church Music and Instrumental Music,
21 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B74838 1993		 ML 136.L82B73578 1993
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT NINE: 1750-1800 Individual Composers A-B and Tract Volumes A-B,
33 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B7484 1997		 ML 136.L82B7358 1997
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT TEN: 1750-1800 Individual Composers C-E and Tract Volumes C-E,
20 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B7485 1999		 ML 136.L82B7359 1999
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT ELEVEN: 1750-1800 Individual Composers F-J and Tract Volumes,
32 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B7486 2000		 ML 136.L82B7361 2000
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT TWELVE: 1750-1800 Individual Composers K-Monroe and Tract Volumes K-Monroe,
20 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B7488 2001		 ML 136.L82B7362 2001
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT THIRTEEN: 1750-1800 Individual Composers Montlivault-Schmid and Tract Volumes Montlivault-Schmid,
20 reels - Archives Storage
M 2.3.G7B7488 2002		 ML 136.L82B7363 2002
Music Reference
British Library, London, UK UNIT FOURTEEN: 1750-1800 Individual Composers and Tract Volumes Schroeder-Z, 28 reels - Archives Storage 
M 2.3.G7B7489 2002		 ML 136.L82B7364 2002
Music Reference

Italian Music Manuscripts - c.1640 - c.1820

Microfilm series - 123 (? 125 ?) reels
Originating Library Section / Reels Finding Aids
British Library, London UK Section A: Italian Music Mss. c.1640 - c.1720, (pts. 1-3 on 46 reels)
British Library, London UK Section B: Italian Music Mss. c.1720 - c.1740, (pts. 1-4 on 79 reels - or 77 ??)
British Library, London UK Section C: Italian Music Mss. c.1740 - c.1770, (pts. 1-3 on 60 reels)
British Library, London UK Section D: Italian Music Mss. c.1770 - c.1820, (pts. 1-4) 100 reels

Venetian Opera Libretti

Microfilm series - 41 reels
Originating Library Reels Finding Aids
University of California, Los Angeles USA 41 reels containing 1,286 libretti printed in Venice, 1637 - 1769

Women Composers Collection

Microfilm series - 28 reels
Originating Library Reels Finding Aids
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor USA

28 reels Music, principally by European and North American women composers, originally published between ca. 1780 and 1950.

Also available via the HATHI TRUST