Catalogue FAQs

Q: When will the catalogue be complete?

A: We will have catalogued all manuscript sources for both the juvenilia and the mature works by Britten's centenary in 2013.  We also will aim to provide incipits and details of publications for all works by that date. During this time we plan to experiment with additional resources for catalogue works, such as links to correspondence, photographs and diary entries. As the catalogue is an online resource, it is almost infinitely extendible.

Q: Why are there incipits for some records and not others?

A: Each incipit requires typesetting into music software, and then performers to record it. As the majority of Britten's juvenilia is unpublished and unrecorded this means that over 600 works need to be typeset and recorded, which is a major project in itself, and which requires both time and financial resources.  We have recently begun collaborating with various groups of musicians who are keen to be involved in the project and will be able to add more incipits in due course. By 2013 we aim to provide incipits for all works.

Q: Why is the catalogue sometimes unavailable?

A: The beta version is still in its ‘test' phase. On occasion we need to remove the catalogue for editing or for technical adjustments. The aim is to remove it only for short periods of no more than a few days.

Q: Why have you included some works which are only a few bars long - or only a few notes long?!

A: Although we have made a rigorous study of the juvenilia manuscripts, in some cases we have not finally established whether a small scrap of music is a failed attempt at a piece or a sketched idea for a work which did come to fruition.  On several occasions a bar or two of notes have turned out to be preliminary thoughts for a large-scale piece. During the ‘down-time' periods, we will make final decisions regarding these very short ‘pieces'. 

Q: When will records for the mature works be available?

A: A complete list of published mature works will be available from November 2009, and the list also includes Britten's incidental music for film, radio and theatre. Other unpublished and/or incomplete material will be added to the list during the early part of 2010.  The manuscript sources for these works will be catalogued between 2009-2013 and by 2013 all catalogue records will include incipits and details of manuscript sources and publications.

Q: When will the advanced search function be working?

A: Hopefully by June 2010. However, a basic search will be able to find keywords which may assist your search. For example, if you wish to find which works are for violin, keying ‘violin' into the basic search box will return all works which are for violin. The results list gives details in the left hand side showing which results relate specifically to works. In this way you can also search for titles, authors, or works in a particular key.

Q: I'm having technical problems: what can I do?

A: Please click on the Technical FAQs link here.

Q: How can I find out more about the project?

A: See the Project Pages here for background, project team and further information.

Q: Is there any further information on the structure of the catalogue?

A: See Organisation of Catalogue here.

Q: Can I see a chronological list of works?

A: From the beta version home page (here) choose 'Browse works list'.

Q: How can I get in touch with the project team?

A: You can email us on: btcfeedback@brittenproject.org

If your question has not been answered above please email us