Meaning of Opus in Music
In music, the term "opus" refers to a musical composition or a set of compositions by a particular composer. The word "opus" is usually followed by a number, which indicates the order in which the piece was written or published. The use of opus numbers allows composers, performers, and scholars to identify and categorize compositions in a systematic way. Opus numbers are typically assigned by the composers themselves or their publishers.
Opus numbers serve as a way to organize and catalog a composer's works in chronological order. However, it's important to note that opus numbers do not always indicate the exact order of composition. Sometimes, they may reflect the order of publication instead. Additionally, opus numbers can also be assigned to compositions that were not published.
Opus numbers are commonly used in classical music to identify and refer to specific compositions. They provide a convenient way to locate and discuss works by composers, making it easier to navigate their extensive body of work
A term used to classify a composition in relation to the composer's other compositions. Abbreviated as "Op." (work) or "Opp." (works), compositions are typically given an opus number in chronological order (i.e. "Op. 1", "Op. 2", etc.). Because the opus numbers are often assigned by publishers, they are not always a reliable indication of the chronology of the composition.
Leave a Reply