Facsimiles are photographic copies of: manuscripts, early copies, or early printed editions. They can include an introduction and/or other critical commentary. Some just publishers just copy the score, others try to mimic the original’s size, colors, paper, binding, and/or physical condition. Facsimiles help to expand study of manuscripts beyond those able to travel to the holding library to look at the original.
Facsimile Editions offer many of the same benefits and drawbacks as a manuscript: they provide a glimpse of the composer's process and personality, the broader musical context and culture, and a moment in the development of a musical work/music history; but, they are sometimes hard to read and not suitable for use in performance.
Finding Facsimile Editions
Where can I find a Facsimile Edition?
- If you're just browsing, you can find facsimiles on the third floor of Moody Library, in the ML96, ML96.4, and ML96.5 sections.
- *Recommended: Search the Baylor Library Advanced Search
- Run an advanced search, limit the material type to "Score" then search for the composer's name, the genre of the piece you are searching for, and "facsimile" (expert tip: if you're searching for a German-speaking composer's work, you should type in "facsimile OR faksimile").
- For example, if you're looking for a facsimile edition of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, you would run an advanced search, limit the material type to "score," and search for "Beethoven" and "Symphonies" and “facsimile OR faksimile" (try it out by following the link below!).
- You can also try searching in Advanced Search by scores, publisher name, and "facsimile" -- common publishers of facsimiles are: Editions Minkoff, Fuzeau, Broude Brothers Performers’ Facsimiles (note: these publishers don’t only publish facsimile copies, but facsimiles are often published by them.)
- And finally, you can search by subject: “Music -- Manuscripts -- Facsimiles”
- Run an advanced search, limit the material type to "Score" then search for the composer's name, the genre of the piece you are searching for, and "facsimile" (expert tip: if you're searching for a German-speaking composer's work, you should type in "facsimile OR faksimile").
- Baylor Libraries Advanced SearchAdvanced search will help you limit by material type, creator, language, etc. This is especially helpful for music students locating musical materials.
