Skip to Main Content

Music Theory

Historic Treatises at Oberlin

The Conservatory Library's special collections include a number of rare printed items from the 16th and 17th centuries. Drawn primarily from the Frederick R. Selch Collection of American Music History, the materials highlighted here represent some of the most influential writings in the history of Western musical thought.

They include foundational texts relating to organology and music theory, along with important works on the philosophy and iconography of music. Topic guides include:

Theory-Specific Resources to Expand the Canon

Music Analysis

Bibliographies