Article
Urtext Editions? (What is an authentic and honest original manuscript?)
Article
(2020)
Abstract
Musicians, musicologists, educators and conductors searching for original material that is considered authentic should consider looking for an Urtext Edition. Publishers create and publish works by the masters that are considered to be original compositions based upon the composer’s first edition. These editions are not arrangements and do not include alterations such as dynamic markings, accents, bow and breathe marks or other markings of expression that can complicate a work. Many of these elements are added after the first edition removing originality from the composers’ original score. This paper describes the various types of ‘editions’ publishers use and create over a works lifetime.
The types of editions discussed in this paper include Urtext Editions, Complete Editions, Critical Edition and Facsimile and Interpretive Editions. Each has its own set of rules and interpretation based upon the publishers’ ideology.
Keywords
- Urtext Editions,
- Complete Editions,
- Critical Edition and Facsimile and Interpretive Editions
Disciplines
Publication Date
January 17, 2020
Citation Information
Dan Rager. "Urtext Editions? (What is an authentic and honest original manuscript?)" Article (2020) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/daniel_rager/45/