Finding correct names and dates for classical composers and classical works is often easier than finding them for other genres. If you are performing a famous work by a well-known composer, the needed information may be readily available from many sources. However, there can be complexities. This is especially true when you are dealing with cases such as personal names which have been transliterated, or titles of pieces which have been transliterated or are commonly known in more than one language. Here are reliable sources for finding correct information:

Grove Music Online and the print New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, on the music reference shelves under call number ML100 .N48 2001

MGG Online and its print version, Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart [Music in History and the Present], on the music reference shelves under call number ML100 .M92 1994   This encyclopedia is written in German, but even if you do not read German, dates are easy to find. Furthermore, the online version now has Google Translate embedded. 

The online catalog of the UNT Libraries: discover.library.unt.edu

Please note that catalogers have done extensive research to get personal names, birth and death dates, and titles of pieces right in our catalog. You can rely on the catalog for scholarly information.