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Frequently asked questions
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 As the majority of Britten's juvenilia is unpublished and unrecorded this means that over 600 works need to be typeset and recorded, which is a major project in itself, and which requires both time and financial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 the advanced search function be working?
A: Hopefully by late 2011. 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: 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 choose 'Browse'.
Q: How can I get in touch with the project team?
A: You can email us
If your question has not been answered above please email us
Q: Why can’t I hear any audio on the incipits page?
A: Firefox users must have the latest version of Quicktime installed.
To download Quicktime please go to http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
If Quicktime is already installed then check that you have the latest version. PC users need to open Quicktime and select 'Update Existing Software' under the help menu. Mac users need to run 'Software Update' in system preferences.
Internet Explorer users must have Windows Media Player set as the default media player. To do this click 'Start' and then select 'Set Program Access and Defaults'. Select 'Custom' settings and under 'Choose a default media player' select 'Windows Media Player'.
Q: Why does the onscreen layout appear jumbled and messy?
A: Make sure your screen resolution is set to a minimum of 1024 x 768. This can be changed in the display settings in control panel.
If your question has not been answered above please email us
Frequently asked questions
Technical and general catalogue FAQs
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 the advanced search function be working?
A: Hopefully by late 2011. 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: 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 choose 'Browse'.
Q: How can I get in touch with the project team?
A: You can email us
If your question has not been answered above please email us
Technical FAQs
Q: Why can’t I hear any audio on the incipits page?
A: Firefox users must have the latest version of Quicktime installed.
To download Quicktime please go to http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
If Quicktime is already installed then check that you have the latest version. PC users need to open Quicktime and select 'Update Existing Software' under the help menu. Mac users need to run 'Software Update' in system preferences.
Internet Explorer users must have Windows Media Player set as the default media player. To do this click 'Start' and then select 'Set Program Access and Defaults'. Select 'Custom' settings and under 'Choose a default media player' select 'Windows Media Player'.
Q: Why does the onscreen layout appear jumbled and messy?
A: Make sure your screen resolution is set to a minimum of 1024 x 768. This can be changed in the display settings in control panel.
If your question has not been answered above please email us