The Frescobaldi Thematic Catalogue Online

Tips on Search Strategies

Starting your search

The search engine looks for records with a precise match of the phrase you entered in the search window (including spaces) to the title (or author or editor) in the database. Unlike some popular global search engines, it is unforgiving of even the smallest mismatch. Also, you cannot search for more than one phrase at the time. For example, if you are looking for a piece with the title “Toccata prima” in the database, you will find it if you enter any of these phrases:

Toccata prima
Toccata Prima
Toccata
Prima

However, if you enter any of the following, you will get the response “no results,” because they do not provide an exact match with the title in the database:

Prima Toccata
Toccata, Prima
Toccata and Prima
Toccata primo
etc.

Keep in mind that if you just enter Toccata, you will obtain the record of every piece in the database with toccata in the title.

Obtaining more details

To see the incipit of a composition or obtain more information, click anywhere within its displayed frame. To see a list of its sources, modern editions, or scholarly literature, click on + Sources, etc. To obtain more details on an item in the list., click on the [Full Record] link. Once you obtain the full record of a source, you can in the same manner obtain a list of the composition included in that source (limited to those contained in the catalogue), or of editions or literature pertaining to that source.

Navigating back

The link “Return to Search” or the “Reset” button allows you to start a new search. This will, however, wipe out entirely your previous search. If you just want to go back to the result from your original search, you need to click on the back button of your browser (usually shown as a left-pointing arrow on its toolbar). You may be prompted to confirm that you want to go back, which presumably is what you want. You can go back as many times as you wish.

Please let us know through the Contact page if you need further search instructions, or have suggestions for search strategies.