008/18-19 (006/01-02) Music: Form of composition

Character position definition and scope:

A two-character alphabetic code that indicates the form of composition. Codes are based on Library of Congress subject headings. If more than one code is appropriate, the code mu (Multiple forms) is used in 008/18-19 and all appropriate specific codes are given in field 047 (Form of Musical Composition Code). Code mu (Multiple forms) may also signify that field 047 (Form of Musical Composition Code) contains non-MARC composition codes.

Form of composition code is based on the terminology in the work itself and is intended to provide a coded approach to the content of the work. In addition to codes for forms, the list also includes codes for musical genres (e.g., Ragtime music).

Codes should be assigned when they apply to the item as a whole (for example, if the item is a symphony and one of the movements is in sonata form, only the code for symphonies is used).

Codes for which special information is needed for proper application are described below. Other codes are described in music reference sources. Non-music sound recordings do not have a form of composition and are coded nn (Not applicable).

Two fill characters ( || ) are used when no attempt has been made to code these character positions.

Record requirements for National-level and Minimal-level records: Optional.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

Code:	Description:
an	Anthems
bd	Ballads
bt	Ballets
bg	Bluegrass music
bl	Blues
cn	Canons and rounds Used for canons and rounds (i.e., compositions employing strict imitation throughout).
ct	Cantatas
cz	Canzonas Used for instrumental music that is designated as a canzona.
cr	Carols
ca	Chaconnes
cs	Chance compositions
cp	Chansons, polyphonic
cc	Chant, Christian
cb	Chants, Other religions
cl	Chorale preludes
ch	Chorales
cg	Concerti grossi
co	Concertos
cy	Country music
df	Dance forms Includes music for individual dances except for mazurkas, minuets, pavans, polonaises, and waltzes, which have separate codes.
dv	Divertimentos, serenades, cassations, divertissements, and notturni Instrumental music designated as a divertimento, serenade, cassation, divertissement, or notturno.
ft	Fantasias Includes instrumental music designated as fantasia, fancies, fantasies, etc.
fl	Flamenco Generic term which refers to all the Flamenco styles, or "palos", and to other forms of song and dance coming from the folkloric tradition of Spanish gypsies.
fm	Folk music Used for folk music and includes folk songs, etc.
fg	Fugues
gm	Gospel music
hy	Hymns
jz	Jazz
md	Madrigals
mr	Marches
ms	Masses
mz	Mazurkas
mi	Minuets
mo	Motets
mp	Motion picture music
mu	Multiple forms
mc	Musical revues and comedies
nc	Nocturnes
nn	Not applicable Indicates that form of composition is not applicable to the item. Used for any item that is a non-music sound recording.
op	Operas
or	Oratorios
ov	Overtures
pt	Part-songs
ps	Passacaglias Includes all types of ostinato basses.
pm	Passion music
pv	Pavans
po	Polonaises
pp	Popular music
pr	Preludes
pg	Program music
rg	Ragtime music
rq	Requiems
rp	Rhapsodies
ri	Ricercars
rc	Rock music
rd	Rondos
sd	Square dance music
sn	Sonatas
sg	Songs
st	Studies and exercises Used only when the work is intended for teaching purposes (usually entitled Studies, Etudes, etc.).
su	Suites
sp	Symphonic poems
sy	Symphonies
tl	Teatro lirico Used for a large number of more specific terms which describe Spanish and Spanish American theatre music: "tonadilla escénica", "fiestas de música", "sainetes líricos", "entremeses cómico-lírico", etc.
tc	Toccatas
ts	Trio-sonatas
uu	Unknown Indicates that the form of composition of an item is unknown. Used when the only indication given is the number of instruments and the medium of performance. No structure or genre is given, although they may be implied or understood.
vr	Variations
vi	Villancicos Characteristic form of Spanish polyphony, religious or secular, from the 16th to 18th centuries. Religious villancicos were usually sung in important ceremonies (including Christmas, when these songs were sometimes called "pastoradas").
wz	Waltzes
za	Zarzuelas Term applicable to all musical plays taking that name, from the "fiestas de zarzuela" of the 17th/18th-centuries to the so-called "zarzuela moderna" ("modern zarzuela") from the mid 19th to the mid 20th-century.
zz	Other Indicates a form of composition for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate (e.g., incidental music, electronic music, etc.).
\|\|	No attempt to code

Content designator history:

Prior to the definition of code bd (Ballads) in 1997, ballads were identified with code fm (Folk music). [USMARC only]

In 2006, code mu was redefined to signify that either multiple MARC codes or non-MARC codes are contained in field 047 (Form of Musical Composition Code).

fl - Flamenco [new, 2009]

tl - Teatro lirico [new, 2009]

vi - Villancicos [new, 2009]

za - Zarzuelas [new, 2009]

zz - Other [redefined, 2009]

Code zz (Other) was redefined to remove the term villancicos, which was defined in 2009.