The Oberlin Conservatory Library's Special Collections has an impressive collection of historical musical treatises. Drawn primarily from the Frederick R. Selch Collection of American Music History, and the The Violin Society of America / H. K. Goodkind Collection, 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, important works on the philosophy and iconography of music, and historical treatises pertaining to specific instrument types.
Many of the texts included here have been digitized and can be read online in full. Each title's link will take you to the catalog record, and from there you can click on the "Connect to resource" link; you can also browse all the digitized books from the Selch and VSA Collections on the Internet Archive's Oberlin Conservatory Library Special Collections page.
Special Collections
Oberlin Conservatory Library
77 West College Street Oberlin
OH 44074-1588
Reading Room Hours: by appointment
Email: con.special@oberlin.edu