Music catalogers from MLA-BCC, the NACO Music Project, and the LC Music 
Division have proposed a new LC-PCC Policy Statement for RDA 6.28.1.9.1.  The 
PS has been approved and will be published in the October release of the RDA 
Toolkit.  It will also be available in pre-publication form at: 
http://www.loc.gov/aba/pcc/rda/PCC RDA guidelines/LC-PCC PS 6.28.1.9.1.docx 
<http://www.loc.gov/aba/pcc/rda/PCC%20RDA%20guidelines/LC-PCC%20PS%206.28.1.9.1.docx>
  

Normally, all PSs should only be followed after they are published.  In the 
case of the PS for RDA 6.28.1.9.1, MLA, NMP, LC, and PCC are recommending that 
music catalogers begin following this practice immediately.  This applies to 
new AAPs and revisions of existing ones in both bibliographic and authority 
records.  In authority records, such revisions have to be accompanied by any 
other changes needed for coding the record as RDA.

 

What does this mean in cataloging?

 

RDA 6.28.1.9.1 states:

Add the medium of performance...

Exception b) If there is more than one part for a particular instrument or 
voice, do not add the number of parts if the number is implicit in the 
preferred title.

 

The new LC-PCC PS for 6.28.1.9.1 instructs catalogers to disregard exception b) 
and to always add the number of parts in the authorized access point (AAP) when 
there is more than one part for a particular instrument or voice.

 

Text of the new policy statement:

LC-PCC PS for 6.28.1.9.1

ALTERNATIVE

LC practice/PCC practice for Alternative: Do not apply Exception b). Always 
supply the number of parts for a particular instrument or voice, even if the 
number of parts is implicit in the preferred title. Apply all other exceptions 
in 6.28.1.9.1.

 

Examples:

Previously: Boccherini, Luigi, 1743–1805. Duets, violins, G. 58, A major

Now: Boccherini, Luigi, 1743–1805. Duets, violins (2), G. 58, A major

 

Previously: Atterberg, Kurt, 1887–1974. Quartets, violins, viola, cello, no. 2, 
op. 11

Now: Atterberg, Kurt, 1887–1974. Quartets, violins (2), viola, cello, no. 2, 
op. 11

 

Previously: Rosetti, Antonio, approximately 1750–1792. Quartets, clarinets, 
horns, M. B17, E♭ major

Now: Rosetti, Antonio, approximately 1750–1792. Quartets, clarinets (2), horns 
(2), M. B17, E♭ major

 

The reason for this change has to do with recent changes to RDA.  In the April 
2014 Toolkit update, many of the prohibitions for recording medium of 
performance that had been in 6.15 (medium as an element) were moved to 
6.28.1.9.1 (medium in an access point) as exceptions.

 

With the removal of standard combinations of instruments from RDA (in the April 
2014 update), those standard combinations must now be listed as individual 
instruments in authorized access points. A project is currently underway to 
programmatically convert these headings to their new form.  The project is part 
of the RDA Authorities Phase 3 Task Group under the leadership of Gary Strawn.  
During discussions about this project, the utility of continuing the practice 
of implied numbering came up.  The consensus of the parties involved (MLA, NMP, 
LC, and PCC) was that continuing the practice of using implied numbering would 
be unhelpful to users and is an unnecessary layer of complexity when one is 
adding medium of performance to an access point.  It was therefore decided to 
propose a policy statement allowing catalogers to ignore Exception b) under RDA 
6.28.1.9.1.

 

Questions about this policy statement may be addressed to me.  Thanks to Paul 
Frank, Dave Reser, and Valerie Weinberg at the Library of Congress for 
facilitating the early implementation.

 

Mark Scharff

Coordinator, NACO-Music Project

[email protected] 

 

 

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