Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile of the Autograph These are hardcover, research-quality reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Hardcover Some publishers print a hardbound, linen-covered version in addition to the standard paperback. The music inside is identical. These editions are beautiful though rarely cheap.
Orchestral Parts Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score For chamber pieces, playing scores have all of the parts on one system. There are not separate parts for each player.
Score (Full Score) For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Set of Parts For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
VocalScore A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings) Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
From Schemelli Songbook BWV 439–507, the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach BWV 508, 509, 511–517 and the Five Hymns BWV 519–523 based on a manuscript by Johann Ludwig Krebs.
Ach, daß nicht die letzte Stunde BWV 439
Auf, auf! die rechte Zeit ist hier BWV 440
Auf, auf! mein Herz, mit Freuden BWV 441
Beglückter Stand getreuer Seelen BWV 442
Beschränkt, ihr Weisen dieser Welt BWV 443
Brich entzwei, mein armes Herze BWV 444
Brunnquell aller Güter BWV 445
Der lieben Sonnie Licht and Pracht BWV 446
Der Tag ist hin, die Sonne gehet nieder BWV 447
Der Tag mit seinem Lichte BWV 448
Dich bet' ich an, mein höchster Gott . BWV 449
Die bitt're Leidenszeit beginnet BWV 450
Die güldne Sonne, voll Freud' and Wonne BWV 451
Dir, dir, Jehova, will ich singen BWV 452
Eins ist not! ach Herr, dies Eine BWV 453
Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist BWV 454
Erwürgtes Lamm, das die verwahrten Siegel BWV 455
Es glänzet der Christen inwendiges Leben . BWV 456
Es ist nun aus mit meinem Leben BWV 457
Es ist vollbracht! Vergiß ja nicht dies Wort BWV 458
Es kostet viel, ein Christ zu sein BWV 459
Gib dich zufrieden and sei stille (1. Form) BWV 511
Gib dich zufrieden and sei stille (2. Form) BWV 512
Gib dich zufrieden and sei stille (3. Form) BWV 460
Gott lebet noch! Seele, was verzagst du doch? BWV 461
Gott, wie groß ist deine Güte BWV 462
Herr, nicht schicke deine Rache BWV 463
Ich bin ja, Herr, in deiner Macht BWV 464
Ich freue mich in dir BWV 465
Ich halte treulich still BWV 466
Ich laß dich nicht BWV 467
Ich liebe Jesum, alle Stund BWV 468
Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier BWV 469
Jesu, Jesu, du bist mein BWV 470
Jesu, deine Liebeswunden BWV 471
Jesu, meines Glaubens Zier BWV 472
Jesu, meines Herzens Freud BWV 473
Jesus ist das schönste Licht BWV 474
Jesus, unser Trost and Leben BWV 475
Ihr Gestirn', ihr hohen Lüfte BWV 476
Kein Stündlein geht dahin BWV 477
Komm, süßer Tod, komm, scl'ge Ruh'! BWV 478
Kommt, Seelen, dieser Tag BWV 479
Kommt wieder aus der finst'ren Gruft BWV 480
Lasset uns mit Jesu ziehen BWV 481
Liebes Herz, bedenke doch BWV 482
Liebster Gott, wann werd' ich sterben BWV 483
Liebster Herr Jesu, wo bleibst du so lange? BWV 484
Liebster Immanuel BWV 485
Mein Jesu, dem die Seraphinen BWV 486
Mein Jesu, was for Seelenweh BWV 487
Meines Lebens letzte Zeit BWV 488
Nicht so traurig, nicht so sehr BWV 489
Nur mein Jesus ist mein Leben BWV 490
O du Liebe meiner Liebe BWV 491
O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort BWV 513
O finstre Nacht, wann wirst du doch vergehen BWV 492
O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild BWV 493
O liebe Seele, zieh die Sinnen BWV 494
O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen BWV 495
Schaff's mit mir, Gott, nach deinem Willen BWV 514
Seelenbräutigam, Jesu, Gottes Lamm BWV 496
Seelenweide, meine Freude BWV 497
Selig, wer an Jesum denkt BWV 498
Sei gegrüßet, Jesu gütig BWV 499
So gehst du nun, mein Jesu, hin BWV 500
So gibst du nim, mein Jesu, gute Nacht BWV 501
So wünsch ich mir zu guter Letzt BWV 502
Steh ich bei meinem Gott BWV 503
Vergiß mein nicht, daß ich dein nicht vergess BWV 504