Research Guides: Music Bibliographies: RISM

RISM: Répertoire International des Sources Musicals

The RISM is an international collective undertaking with the aim of comprehensively documenting surviving music sources anywhere in the world.

The RISM keeps track of what is in existence and where it is kept.

Series A: inventories alphabetically by composer
Series B: bibliographies of materials organized by topic
Series C: directories of music research libraries

For a full overview, visit the RISM publications homepage

Manuscripts

RISM - Online Catalogue of Musical Sources
Formerly Series A/II. Over 1 million items, principally music manuscripts 1600-1800. Also incorporates individual prints from Series A/I and printed collections from Series B/I. Series A includes musical incipits.

RISM Series B IV, 1-2. Manuscripts of polyphonic music, 11th-early 14th century ; 1320-1400
Manuscripts of polyphonic music, 11th-early 14th century. Includes incipits
RISM Series B IV, 3-4. Handschriften mit mehrstimmiger Musik des 14., 15. und 16. Jahrhunderts
Manuscripts of polyphonic music, 14th-16th century. Italy to 1425
RISM Series B IV, 5. Manuscrits de musique polyphonique : XVe et XVIe siècles, Italie
Manuscripts of polyphonic music in Italy, 15th-16th century

Printed Music

RISM Series A/I. Einzeldrücke vor 1800
Catalog of printed music published ca. 1500-1800, limited to titles containing the works of a single composer. Incorporated into RISM online as of May 29, 2015. Print call no.: Ref ML113 .I6 v.A I
RISM Series B/I. Recueils imprimés: XVIe-XVIIe siècles
Printed music in collections, 1500-1699. Inventory of holding libraries, but not detailed contents
RISM Series B/II. Recueils imprimés: XVIIIe siècle
Printed music in collections, 1700-1799. Inventory of holding libraries but not detailed contents