Orchestral sets

Catalogue of orchestral sets: Introduction

This catalogue lists the sets of orchestral parts available for loan at Westminster Music Library.

The sets are listed in an alphabetical sequence by composer, title of work and, if there is more than one edition of a particular work, by publisher.

Entries

Entries are grouped together under composer. Each entry consists of the following information:

• Title (including opus number, key and editor where applicable)
• Orchestration
• Duration (in minutes)
• Publisher

Score types

The type of score available in each set is indicated:

• (FS) Full score
• (MS) Miniature score
• (PC) Piano conductor
• (-) No score

Orchestration

Orchestration is shown by grouping instruments together as they would normally appear in the score:
wind/brass/percussion/strings/continuo.

Example:
Symphony no. 3, op. 55, E flat major 'Eroica'
Scoring: FS 2222 3200 T Str Duration: 48'-52' Publisher: Breitkopf

The entry would indicate that:

• a full score was included in the set
• the instrumentation consisted of:
• • - two flutes,
  • - two oboes,
  • - two clarinets,
  • - two bassoons,
  • - three horns,
  • - two trumpets,
  • - no trombones or tuba,
  • - timpani
  • - strings.

Non-standard instruments

Non-standard woodwind instruments are denoted by an asterisk (*) before the number of instruments, while non-standard brass instruments are listed separately at the end of the sequence.
Tuned percussion, harps and keyboard instruments required are listed separately after the percussion.

Example:
Romeo and Juliet : ballet. Suite no. 1, op. 64a
Scoring: FS *3*3*3*3 4331 T Perc Xyl Bells Hp Pf Str Sax Duration: 27' Publisher: Kalmus

This entry indicates that a full score is included in the set and that in addition to the basic double woodwind a piccolo, cor anglais, bass clarinet and contrabassoon are required. The brass section includes four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, one tuba and one saxophone. In addition to the timpani and untuned percussion a xylophone, bells, one harp and one piano are required.

Optional instruments

Any optional instruments are placed in brackets.

Strings

The usual breakdown of strings would be violin I, violin II, viola, cello and double bass. The absence of any of these would be noted (e.g. no vla).

Solo instruments

Solo instrumental parts which are not included in the title of the work are given in the orchestration. Most of the orchestral sets in Westminster Music Library’s collection include solo parts.

Loan of orchestral sets

• Orchestral sets may be borrowed from Westminster Music Library by any organisation based in the United Kingdom. An application form must be completed and signed by two officers of the organisation, each officer agreeing thereby to abide by the regulations for the loan of orchestral sets. Applications from organisations outside the U.K. will be considered.
• In the case of an orchestra attached to an educational institution, or consisting entirely or mainly of students undergoing an educational course at an institution, the application form must include the signature of a member of staff of the institution, who undertakes to act as a guarantor for the orchestra.
• Sets may be borrowed in person or by post for a period of up to six months and may be reserved up to twelve months in advance. (Orchestral sets are not available through the inter-library loan service.)
• A charge is made per calendar month for each set borrowed according to the length of the work.
• A copy of the full regulations and a list of charges can be obtained from the Library.

A copy of the application form and the hire regulations can be downloaded here. Please contact the library for a current list of hire charges.