Musical referencing will generally require you to use Chicago Style, due to the complex possibilities for citation. The particular aspect of the performance or recording that you want to reference determines the format.
In summary:
Focus on Performers
Footnote:
Performer(s), "Title of Song," recorded date, track # on Title of Album, Label, year of release, format.
1 Prince, “Purple Rain,” track B4 on Purple Rain, Warner Bros Records 92 51101, 1984, vinyl.
2 Murdo MacLeod and John Murray, “Fiollaigean,” track 5 on Music from the Western Isles, ed. Peter Cooke, Greentrax Records CTRAX 9002, 1992, compact disc, originally released in 1971.
3 Slowakische Philharmonie, with Stefan Jeschko (klavier/piano), Peer Gynt Suites I & II, conducted by Libor Pesek, Point Productions 2666682, 1991, compact disc.
Bibliographic Entry:
Performer(s). "Title of Song." Recorded date. Track # on Title of Album. Label, year of release, format.
Prince. “Purple Rain.” Track B4 on Purple Rain. Warner Bros Records 92 51101, 1984, vinyl.
MacLeod, Murdo, and John Murray. “Fiollaigean.” Track 5 on Music from the Western Isles. Edited by Peter Cooke. Greentrax Records CTRAX 9002, 1992, compact disc. Originally released in 1971.
Slowakische Philharmonie, with Stefan Jeschko (klavier/piano). Peer Gynt Suites I & II. Libor Pesek. Point Productions 2666682, 1991, compact disc.
Focus on Composer
Footnote:
Composer, Title of Album, with Performer/Ensemble, conducted by Conductor, recorded date, Label Label #, year of release, format.
4 Edvard Grieg, Peer Gynt Suites I & II, with the Slowakische Philharmonie and Stefan Jeschko (klavier/piano), conducted by Libor Pesek, Point Productions 2666682, 1991, compact disc.
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. Title of Album. With Performer/Ensemble. Conducted by Conductor. Recorded date. Label Label #, year of release, format.
Grieg, Edvard. Peer Gynt Suites I & II. With the Slowakische Philharmonie and Stefan Jeschko (klavier/piano). Conducted by Libor Pesek. Point Productions 2666682, 1991, compact disc.
Music Dictionary (New Grove / Oxford)
Footnote:
Contributor(s), “Entry Title,” in Grove Music Online, ed., accessed date, Year, http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.
5 Edward Strickland, "Glass, Philip," Grove Music Online, ed. Deane Root, accessed June 30, 2016, http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com
6 Nicholas Temperley, “Atwood, Thomas,” in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, eds. Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell (London: Macmillan, 2001), ii: 151.
Bibliographic Entry:
Contributor(s). “Entry Title.” In Grove Music Online, edited by. Accessed date. http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.
Strickland, Edward. "Glass, Philip." Grove Music Online. Edited by Deane Root. Accessed June 30, 2016. http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com
Temperley, Nicholas. “Atwood, Thomas.” In The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell. London: Macmillan, 2001. ii: 150-152.
Physical Media Audio - full recordings
Footnote:
Composer/Performer(s), Recording Title, Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s), recorded date, Label Label #, release year, format.
7 W.A. Mozart, The Complete Mozart Symphonies, The English Consort, cond. Trevor Pinnock, recorded 1993-1995, Archive Production 471 666-2, 2002, compact disc.
8 The Fireside Treasury of Folk Songs, vol. 1, orchestra and chorus dir. Mitch Miller, Golden Record A198:17A–B, 1958, 33⅓ rpm.
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer/Performer. Title of Recording. Performer/Ensemble. Conductor. Label Label #, date, format.
Mozart, W.A. The Complete Mozart Symphonies. The English Consort, Trevor Pinnock, conductor. Recorded 1993-1995. Archive Production 471 666-2, 2002. 11 CDs.
Physical Media Audio - individual tracks
Footnote:
Performer/Group/Conductor, “Track Title,” by Composer, on Recording Title, Additional Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s), recorded date, Label Label #, release year, format.
9 Billie Holiday, vocalist, “I’m a Fool to Want You,” by Joel Herron, Frank Sinatra, and Jack Wolf, recorded February 20, 1958, with Ray Ellis, track 1 on Lady in Satin, Columbia CL 1157, 33⅓ rpm.
10 Aaron Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man; Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, by George Frideric Handel; Earle of Oxford’s March, by William Byrd; Adagio, by Samuel Barber; Queen of the Night, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Golyardes’ Grounde, by William Byrd; Canadian Brass, directed by Robert Moody, Opening Day Entertainment B0010557-02, 2009, compact disc.
11 New York Trumpet Ensemble, with Edward Carroll (trumpet) and Edward Brewer (organ), Art of the Trumpet, recorded at the Madeira Festival, June 1–2, 1981, Vox/Turnabout PVT 7183, 1982, compact disc.
12 Richard Strauss, Don Quixote, with Emanuel Feuermann (violoncello) and the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy, recorded February 24, 1940, Biddulph LAB 042, 1991, compact disc.
13 Gustav Mahler, Symphony no. 1 in D Major, Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein, Deutsche Grammophon 431 036-2, 1989, compact disc.
14 Linda Wetherill, flute, “Voice for Solo Flutist,” by Tōru Takemitsu, on Sound & Repercussion: New Music for Solo Flute, Furious Artisans FACD6804, 2000, compact disc.
Bibliographic Entry:
Performer/Conductor(s). “Track Title,” by Composer. On Recording Title. Additional Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s). Recorded date. Label Label #, release year, format.
Copland, Aaron. Fanfare for the Common Man; Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, by George Frideric Handel; Earle of Oxford’s March, by William Byrd; Adagio, by Samuel Barber; Queen of the Night, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Golyardes’ Grounde, by William Byrd. Canadian Brass, directed by Robert Moody. Opening Day Entertainment B0010557-02, 2009. Compact disc.
Mahler, Gustav. Symphony no. 1 in D Major, Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein. Deutsche Grammophon 431 036-2, 1989. Compact disc. [UWO MCD 6866]
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. Don Giovanni. Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Sir Colin Davis. With Ingvar Wixell, Luigi Roni, Martina Arroyo, Stuart Burrows, Kiri Te Kanawa, et al. Recorded May 1973. Philips 422 541-2, 1991, 3 compact discs.
Pink Floyd. Atom Heart Mother. Capitol CDP 7 46381 2, 1990, compact disc. Originally released in 1970.
Ravel, Maurice. Ravel: Volume Two. The Philharmonia Orchestra. Geoffrey Simon. Cala Records CACD 1005, 1991, compact disc.
Rubinstein, Artur, pianist. The Chopin Collection. Recorded 1946, 1958–67. RCA Victor / BMG 60822-2-RG, 1991, 11 compact discs.
Wetherill, Linda, flute, “Voice for Solo Flutist,” by Tōru Takemitsu. On Sound & Repercussion: New Music for Solo Flute. Furious Artisans FACD6804, 2000. CD.
Weingartner, Felix von, conductor. 150 Jahre Wiener Philharmoniker. Recorded in 1936. Preiser Records PR90113 (mono), 1992, compact disc. Includes Beethoven’s Symphony no. 3 in E-flat Major and Symphony no. 8 in F Major.
Physical Media Video
Footnote:
Composer/Director/Main Type of Contributor, Title, Other Contributors’ First Names Last Names (City of Publication: Publisher/Production Company, Year of Publication), format, duration.
15 Richard Strauss, Salome, Royal Opera Covent Garden, conducted by Bernard Haitink, directed by Derek Bailey and Peter Hall, Covent Garden Pioneer: Public Media Home Vision, SAL 090, ISBN 0-7800-1433-2, 1992, videocassette, 75 min.
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer/Director/Main Type of Contributor. Title. Other Contributors’. City of Publication: Publisher/Production Company, year of publication, format, duration.
Strauss, Richard. Salome, Royal Opera Covent Garden, conducted by Bernard Haitink, directed by Derek Bailey and Peter Hall. Covent Garden Pioneer: Public Media Home Vision, SAL 090, ISBN 0-7800-1433-2, 1992, videocassette, 75 min.
Digital Media Audio - full recordings
Footnote:
Composer/Performer, Recording Title, Performer/Group/Conductor(s), recorded date, Label Label #, release year, streaming audio, accessed date, Database.
16 Franz Joseph Haydn, HAYDN, J.: Trumpet Concerto, Hob.VIIe:1 / Horn Concerto No. 1 / Keyboard Concerto, Hob.XVIII:1, the Academy of Ancient Music, cond. Christopher Hogwood, Decca 417 610-2, 2014, streaming audio, accessed March 15, 2019, Naxos Music Library.
Bibliographic Entry:
Performer/Conductor. Recording Title. Performer/Group/Conductor(s). Recorded. Label Label #, release year, streaming audio. Accessed Access Date. Database.
Haydn, Franz Joseph. HAYDN, J.: Trumpet Concerto, Hob.VIIe:1 / Horn Concerto No. 1 / Keyboard Concerto, Hob.XVIII:1. The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood, conductor. Decca 417 610-2, 2014, streaming audio. Accessed March 15, 2019. Naxos Music Library.
Morlock, J. Cobalt. Centrediscs CMCCD20014, 2014, Naxos Music Library. https://usask-nml3-naxosmusiclibrary-com.cyber.usask.ca/catalogue/item.asp?cid=CMCCD20014
Digital Media Audio - individual tracks
Footnote:
Performer/Group/Conductor(s), “Track Title,” by Composer, on Recording Title, Additional Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s), recorded date, Label Label #, release year, streaming audio, accessed date, Database.
17 Rihanna, “Umbrella,” featuring Jay-Z, MP3 audio, track 1 on Rihanna, Good Girl Gone Bad, Island Def Jam, 2007.
18 Chainsmokers, "Something Just Like This," featuring Coldplay, MP3 audio, track 5 on Chainsmokers, Memories...Do Not Open, Columbia, 2017.
Bibliographic Entry:
Performer/Conductor. “Track Title,” by Composer. On Recording Title. Additional Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s). Recorded date. Label Label #, release year, streaming audio. Accessed Date. Database.
Rihanna. “Umbrella.” Featuring Jay-Z. Spotify. Track 1 on Good Girl Gone Bad, Island Def Jam, 2007.
Digital Media Audio - streaming
Footnote:
Main Contributor(s), Title of Video, dir. Director, Production Company, year of publication, streaming video, timestamp for section cited, accessed date, year, Database.
19 Ravi Shankar, Between Two Worlds, dir. Mark Kidel, Opus Arte, 1996, streaming video, 1:08-2:50, accessed December 11, 2020, Classical Music in Video.
Bibliographic Entry:
Main Contributor(s). Title of Video. Director. Production Company, year of publication, streaming video, entire duration of video. Accessed date, year. Database.
Shankar, Ravi. Between Two Worlds. Mark Kidel, director. Opus Arte, 1996, streaming video, 1:29:14. Accessed December 11, 2020. Classical Music in Video.
Thomas, Michael Tilson. Michael Tilson Thomas: Music and Emotion Through Time. Filmed March 2012. TED Video, 20:13. Posted May 2012. https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_tilson_thomas_music_and_emotion_through_time
Digital Media Audio/Video - YouTube
Footnote:
Author, “Title,” YouTube video, starting and ending timestamp of the section you’re citing, https://youtu.be/XXXXXXXXXX.
20 Green Day, “iHeartRadio Album Release Party w/ Green Day,” streamed live on February 7, 2020, YouTube video, 1:28:42-1:30:06, https://youtu.be/hhY-7wtIICY.
21 Jimi Hendrix, “Little Wing (Live),” YouTube video, 2:00-3:52, https://youtu.be/0YDBdoWK2qU.
Bibliographical Entry:
Contributor. “Title.” YouTube video, Hrs:Mins:Secs. https://youtu.be/XXXXXXXXXX.
“iHeartRadio Album Release Party w/ Green Day.” Streamed live on February 7, 2020. YouTube video, 1:35:26. https://youtu.be/hhY-7wtIICY.
Hendrix, Jimi. “Little Wing (Live).” YouTube video, 3:52. https://youtu.be/0YDBdoWK2qU.
Accompanying Notes
Footnote:
Composer, "Track Title," in accompanying booklet, Recording Title, Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s), recorded date, Label Label #, year, format.
22 Humphrey Searle, "Anton Webern," in accompanying booklet, Webern: Complete Works Opp. 1-31 performed by the Juilliard String Quartet and the London Sinfonietta conducted by Pierre Boulez, SONY Classical S3K 45845, 1991, compact disc. [UWO MCD 6153]
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. "Track Title." Essay in accompanying booklet, Recording Title, Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s), recorded date. Label Label #, year, format.
Searle, Humphrey. "Anton Webern." Essay in accompanying booklet, Webern: Complete Works Opp. 1-31 performed by the Juilliard String Quartet and the London Sinfonietta conducted by Pierre Boulez. SONY Classical S3K 45845, 1991, compact disc. [UWO MCD 6153].
Print Scores
Footnote:
Composer, Score Title, ed. or arr. Name (City of Publication, Country: Publisher, Year of Publication), Page Number, m. Measure Number.
23 Charles Ives, Twelve Easy Songs: For High Voice and Piano, ed. Neely Bruce and James B. Sinclair (New York: Peermusic Classical, 2019), m. 12-13.
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. Score Title. Edited or Arranged by Name. City of Publication, Country: Publisher, Year.
Ives, Charles. Twelve Easy Songs: For High Voice and Piano. Edited by Neely Bruce and James B. Sinclair. New York: Peermusic Classical, 2019.
Shostakovich, Dimitri. String Quartet No. 8, Opus 110. Edited by Hans Sikorski. New York: G. Schirmer, 1961.
Vocal Scores
Footnote:
Composer, Score Title, ed. or arr. by Name, vocal score (City of Publication, Country: Publisher, Year), Page Number, m. Measure Number.
24 W.A. Mozart, Don Giovanni, English version by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman, vocal score (New York: G. Schirmer, 1961), m. 8.
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. Score Title. Edited or Arranged by Name. Vocal score. City of Publication, Country: Publisher, Year.
Mozart, W.A. Don Giovanni. English version by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman. Vocal score. New York: G. Schirmer, 1961.
Reprint Scores
Footnote:
Composer, Score Title (Original Score Title, City of Original Publication, Country: Original Publisher, Original Year of Publication; repr. New Place of Publication, Country: Name of New Publisher, New Year of Publication), page #, m. Measure Number.
25 William Boyce, Lyra Britannica: being a Collection of Songs, Duets and Cantatas on Various Subjects (London: I. Walsh, [1745]; reprint, Cambridgeshire: King’s Music, n.d.), m. 8-9 (page citations are to the reprint edition).
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. Score Title. Original Score Title. Original City of Publication, Country: Name of Original Publisher, Original Year of Publication. Reprint, New City of Publication, Country: New Publisher, New Year.
Boyce, William. Lyra Britannica: being a Collection of Songs, Duets and Cantatas on Various Subjects. London: I. Walsh, [1745]. Reprint, Cambridgeshire: King’s Music, n.d.
Digital Scores
Footnote:
Composer, Score Title, in Database, ed. Editor, accessed date, URL, Page #, m. Measure Number.
26 Fanny Mendelssohn, Trio for Violin, Violoncello, and Piano, Op. 11, in A-R Music Anthology, ed. James L. Zychowicz, accessed October 14, 2020, www.armusicanthology.com, 2, m. 12.
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. Score Title. In Database. Edited by Editor. Accessed Date. URL.
Mendelssohn, Fanny. Trio for Violin, Violoncello, and Piano, Op. 11. In A-R Music Anthology. Edited by James L. Zychowicz. Accessed October 14, 2020. www.armusicanthology.com.
Part of a Score
Footnote:
Composer, “Song/Lied/Movement Title,” in Score Title, vol. #, ed. Editor (City of Publication, Country: Publisher, Year of Publication), Page Number, m. Measure Number.
27 Richard Strauss, “Morgen!,” in Lieder: Gesamtausgabe, vol. I, ed. Franz Trenner (London: Boosey & Hawkes, 1964), 143.
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. “Song/Lied/Movement Title.” In Score Title. Vol. #, edited by Editor, Song/Lied/Movement Starting Page #-Song/Movement Ending Page #. City of Publication, State or Country: Publisher, Year of Publication.
Strauss, Richard. “Morgen!” In Lieder: Gesamtausgabe. Vol. I, edited by Franz Trenner, 143-44. London: Boosey & Hawkes, 1964.
M3s, Monuments of Music
Footnote:
Composer. Title of Score Volume. Edited by Editor. Vol. (#) of Title of Series, edited by Editor. (City: Publisher, Year.)
28 Johann Hermann Schein, Cantional oder Gesangbuch Augsburgischer Konfession 1627/1645 Teil 1, ed. Adam Adrio, vol. 2 of Johann Hermann Schein neue Ausgabe samtlicher Werke, ed. Adam Adrio (Kassel: Barenreiter, 1965).
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. Title of Score Volume. Edited by Editor. Vol. (#) of Title of Series, edited by Editor. City: Publisher, Year.
Verdi, Giuseppe. Il Trovatore. Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano. Edited by David Lawton. Series 1, vol. 18a., Works of Giuseppe Verdi, edited by Philip Gossett. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992.
M2s, Monuments of Music Scores
Footnote:
Composer, Title of Score Volume, ed. Editor, Title of Series # (City: Publisher, Year).
29 Carlo Pallavicino, La Gerusalemme liberata, ed. Hermann Abert, Denkmäler deutscher Tonkunst 55 (Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, 1916).
Bibliographic Entry:
Composer. Title of Score Volume. Edited by Editor. Title of Series #. City: Publisher, Year.
Eccles, John. Semele: An Opera. Edited by Richard Platt. Music Brittanica: A National Collection of Music 76. London: Stainer and Bell, 2000.
Digital Liner Notes
Footnote:
Liner Notes Author, “Liner Notes or Section Title,” liner notes for Composer, Recording Title, Performer/Group/Conductor(s), recorded date, Label Label #, release year, streaming audio, accessed date, Database, page #.
30 Sergio Segalini, “The Romantic Dream of Lucie,” liner notes for Gaetano Donizetti, Lucie de Lammermoor (Lucia di Lammermoor) (1893 French version), Patrizia Ciofi, Alexandru Badea, Nicolas Rivenq, Gregory Bonfatti, Riccardo Botta, Jae-Jun Lee, Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia, Bratislawa Chamber Choir, cond. Maurizio Benini, recorded July 25-27, 1997, Dynamic CDS 204/1-2, 1998, streaming audio, accessed October 17, 2020, Naxos Music Library, 8.
Bibliographic Entry:
Liner Notes Author. “Liner Notes or Section Title.” Liner Notes for Composer. Recording Title. Performer/Group/Conductor Name(s). Recorded Month Day, Year. Record Label Name #, Release Year, streaming audio. Accessed Date. Database.
Segalini, Sergio. “The Romantic Dream of Lucie.” Liner Notes for Gaetano Donizetti. Lucie de Lammermoor (Lucia di Lammermoor) (1893 French version). Patrizia Ciofi, Alexandru Badea, Nicolas Rivenq, Gregory Bonfatti, Riccardo Botta, Jae-Jun Lee, Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia, Bratislawa Chamber Choir, Maurizio Benini, conductor. Recorded July 25-27, 1997. Dynamic CDS 204/1-2, 1998, streaming audio. Accessed October 17, 2020. Naxos Music Library.
Print Liner Notes
Footnote:
Liner Notes Author, “Liner Notes or Section Title,” liner notes for Composer, Recording Title, Performer(s), recorded date, Label Label #, release year, format, page number.
31 Tim Carter, “Mozart: Early Symphonies,” liner notes for W.A. Mozart, The Complete Mozart Symphonies, The English Consort, cond. Trevor Pinnock, recorded 1993-1995, Archiv Produktion 471 666-2, 2002, compact disc, 19.
Bibliographic Entry:
Liner Notes Author. “Liner Notes or Section Title.” Liner Notes for Composer. Recording Title. Performer(s). Recorded date. Label Label #, release year, format.
Carter, Tim. “Mozart: Early Symphonies.” Liner Notes for Mozart, W.A. The Complete Mozart Symphonies. The English Consort, Trevor Pinnock, conductor. Recorded 1993-1995. Archiv Produktion 471 666-2, 2002, 11 compact discs.
Johnson, Graham. “The Italian Songbook of Hugo Wolf.” Liner notes for Italienisches Liederbuch, by Hugo Wolf. Felicity Lott, Peter Schreier, Graham Johnson. Hyperion CDA66760S, 1994, compact disc.
Live Performances
Footnote:
Title of Performance, music and lyrics by Performer(s)/Director. Venue, location, date of performance.
32Hamilton, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, dir. Thomas Kail, chor. Andy Blakenbuehler, Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York, NY, February 2, 2016.
Please note that different citations styles may appear across different sub-disciplines within music. McGill University has provided a useful overview and additional links to the following citation resources broken down based on music discipline:
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