This comprehensive, exhaustively researched volume is the first to identify discographies in all fields of classical music published from 1976 to the present. Geographic coverage is worldwide--publications are included from the United States, Europe, South America, the Soviet Union, and Japan. In addition to covering discographies published as books, this indispensable reference contains entries for discographies published as supplements to books or as magazine articles, for record labels citing significant numbers of classical recordings, and for discographies appearing in dissertations, theses, or program notes. In gathering his material, Gray has relied almost exclusively on personal examination of the discographies, ensuring a high level of accuracy.

The bibliography is divided into two parts. The body of the volume contains entries listed alphabetically by name and subject. Each entry includes a numerical code which identifies elements, such as release dates and take numbers, likely to be important to discography users. Headings for names and subjects are based on Library of Congress standards and cross references link variant subjects or name forms. The index encompasses the names of compilers, editors, and authors, series titles, and distinctive discography titles. Care has been taken throughout to make the bibliography both comprehensive and easy to use. An essential acquisition for every public and research library with a music collection, this volume will become a standard reference for scholars and students of classical music.