The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians: A Comprehensive History
For over a century, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians has served as one of the world's most authoritative reference works on the history and theory of music. Alongside the German-language Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart, it stands as a titan of musicology—the scholarly study of music—providing an exhaustive record of composers, performers, and musical concepts.
From its humble beginnings as a four-volume set in the late 19th century to its current status as a massive digital resource, the dictionary has evolved to reflect the expanding scope of musical knowledge, incorporating everything from ancient church music to modern jazz.
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Key Facts
- First Published: 1878–1889 by George Grove.
- Current Publisher: Oxford University Press (acquired in 2004).
- Digital Presence: Available as Grove Music Online via Oxford Music Online.
- Scale: The 2001 print edition contains nearly 30,000 articles and over 20,000 biographies.
- Scope: Covers music history, theory, ethnomusicology, and instrument performance.
The Evolution of the Dictionary
The Early Editions (1878–1954)
The work began as A Dictionary of Music and Musicians, first published in London by Macmillan and Co. between 1879 and 1889. Edited by George Grove, the original edition focused on the period from 1450 up to the late 19th century. By 1900, the series was reissued with minor corrections.
The second edition, renamed Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, was published between 1904 and 1910. It removed the 1450 start date, though some early theorists remained absent. This was followed by a third edition in 1927 and a supplementary fourth edition in 1940. The fifth edition, published in 1954 and edited by Eric Blom, represented the most significant revision of the era, modernizing the writing style and adding numerous new articles.
The Transition to "The New Grove"
In 1980, the publication underwent a massive expansion and was rebranded as The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Under the leadership of senior editor Stanley Sadie and Nigel Fortune, the work grew to 20 volumes, featuring 22,500 articles and 16,500 biographies.
The second edition of The New Grove (the seventh overall) arrived in 2001. Spanning 29 volumes and edited by Sadie and John Tyrrell, this version significantly expanded its coverage of 20th-century composers. While it faced some criticism for typographical errors, it remains a landmark of musical scholarship.
Specialized Spin-offs
To provide deeper insight into specific niches, several specialized dictionaries were released as spin-offs from the main text. These include:
- Dictionary of American Music: Originally 4 volumes (1984), revised to 8 volumes (2013).
- Dictionary of Musical Instruments: A 3-volume set published in 1984.
- Dictionary of Opera: A 4-volume set published in 1992.
- Dictionary of Women Composers: Published in 1994.
- Dictionary of Jazz: A 3-volume set edited by Barry Kernfeld (2002).
The Digital Era: Grove Music Online
Today, the dictionary exists primarily as Grove Music Online, a subscription-based electronic resource that is part of the larger Oxford Music Online gateway. This digital version is considered the eighth edition of the work.
Managed by editor-in-chief Deane Root since 2009, the online platform integrates the 29 volumes of the second edition along with the specialized dictionaries of Jazz, Opera, American Music, and Musical Instruments. In total, the digital resource hosts more than 50,000 articles.
| Category | Number of Articles |
|---|---|
| Total Articles | 29,499 |
| Biographies (Composers, Performers, Writers) | 20,374 |
| Instruments and Performance Practice | 2,261 |
| World Musics | 1,327 |
| Popular Music, Light Music, and Jazz | 1,221 |
| Styles, Terms, and Genres | 1,465 |
| Ancient and Church Music | 580 |
Curiosities: Hoaxes and Parodies
Despite its academic rigor, the 1980 edition famously included two hoax entries. Dag Henrik Esrum-Hellerup and Guglielmo Baldini were non-existent composers whose entries were successfully inserted into the first printing. Both were quickly exposed and removed in subsequent printings.
Additionally, contributors wrote seven parody entries filled with musical puns—such as "Verdi, Lasagne"—which were published in The Musical Times in 1981 but never appeared in the official dictionary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Grove's Dictionary and The New Grove?
Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians refers to the earlier editions (1st through 5th) published between 1878 and 1961. The New Grove refers to the vastly expanded and modernized editions published from 1980 onwards.
How can I access Grove Music Online?
Grove Music Online is a subscription-based service available through Oxford Music Online. It is commonly accessible via individual subscriptions or through institutional access at many public and university libraries worldwide.
Who currently edits the Grove music resources?
Since 2009, the editor-in-chief of the complete slate of print and online resources under the Grove brand has been Professor Deane Root of the University of Pittsburgh.
Is the original 19th-century edition still available?
Yes, the original edition and its 1900 reprint are now freely available online through platforms such as Wikisource, Google Books, and IMSLP.