reading beautiful music, so why couldn't programmers write
software to produce elegant printed parts?
-The result is a system which frees musicians from the details of
-layout, allowing them to focus on making music. LilyPond works
-with them to create publication-quality parts, crafted in the best
-traditions of classical music engraving.
+The result is a program that creates beautiful sheet music
+following the best traditions of classical music engraving.
+It takes care of the details of layout programmatically,
+allowing composers, transcribers and publishers to focus
+on the @emph{music} instead of improving their software's
+default output. Performers will get parts that let them
+concentrate on @emph{playing} music instead of @emph{reading} it.
+
@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-top}
-@subheading Elegance
-@subsubheading Excellent classical engraving
+@subheading Excellent classical engraving
@imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}
@ref{Essay}.
+@divEnd
-@subsubheading Effective layout choices
+@divClass{column-center-top}
+@subheading Text input
+
+@subsubheading Everything is explicit
+
+LilyPond processes text input, which contains all information
+about the @emph{content} of your score and can easily be read
+by any human or another program. There are no obscure
+settings hidden behind menu items and binary file storage.
+
+Read more about this concept on @ref{Text input}.
-Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
-formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by
-itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
-layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
-and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!
+@subsubheading Tweaks are robust and traceable
+
+If you have to change anything in the layout this tweak will
+also be explicitly visible in the input file in human-readable
+form, so you will always be able to retrace what you've done.
+If you should accidentally break anything you can easily revert
+or modify any decision without being at the mercy of an
+@emph{Undo} function.
+
+
+@subsubheading Text files are failure- and future-proof
+
+Text files are very robust against file corruption. And as they are
+human-readable, you will always be able to interpret them even if
+you don't have access to the programs that created them.
+
+
+@subsubheading Manage your scores with version control
+
+Text files are applicable to be managed by version control. Go
+for it and experience infinite and selective undo/redo mechanisms
+and the full development history of your scores. Version control
+may also open up new (collaborative) workflows for you.
@divEnd
-@divClass{color2}
-@subheading Ease of use
+@divClass{column-center-top}
+@subheading Usability
@imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right}
-@subsubheading Text-based input
-LilyPond takes ASCII input, which you can produce in your favorite
-text editor, quickly and comfortably. The input contains all the
-information, so there is no need to remember complex command sequences:
-simply save a file for later reference.
+@subsubheading Effective layout choices
+
+Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
+formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by
+itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
+layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
+and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!
+
@subsubheading Mix music and text
Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting
pictures. Integrate music into @LaTeX{} or HTML seamlessly, or add
-music to OpenOffice.org with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are also available
-to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making online
-collaboration possible.
+music to OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are
+also available to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making
+online collaboration possible.
@subsubheading Accessibility
who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write
LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based
score-writing programs.
+You can see a spectacular score on @ref{Examples}.
+
+@subsubheading Editor diversity
+
+Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users,
+have written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
+LilyPond files faster and more effective; you are not tied to
+a single user interface but can use different tools for different tasks.
+You can even use a full-fledged LilyPond editor at home and use your
+mobile phone's notepad app to edit the files on the go. For some examples,
+see @ref{Easier editing}.
+@c TODO: Change this when the new pages have been written and pushed
+
+
+@divEnd
-@subsubheading Extensible design
+@divClass{column-center-top}
+
+@subheading Extensible design
+
+@subsubheading Easy management of style sheets
-All settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
-taste. If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
-scripting language Scheme, a dialect of the powerful language
-LISP. Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
+All layout settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
+taste. So you can easily write style sheets that change every aspect of
+LilyPond scores' default appearance. As these are also written as text
+and can be stored in separate files you can simply switch between two
+stylesheets to produce scores with a completely different appearance or
+layout.
+You want to print a score on A4 paper and project it with a beamer,
+one system per page? LilyPond's layout engine will effortlessly produce
+both from the same input.
+
+@subsubheading Add your own functions
+
+If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
+scripting language Scheme, which can access LilyPond's layout
+engine at the same level as LilyPond itself does, making it
+a @emph{very} powerful tool.
+Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
comprehensive program reference manual.
+@subsubheading Process scores programmatically
+
+LilyPond input files can fully be edited or even generated by programs
+and scripts. This can for example be used for algorithmical composition.
+But you can also access the musical content for analysis, or manage
+input fragments in a database. There are no limitations except your
+imagination.
+
+
+@subsubheading Create new tools using LilyPond
+
+As LilyPond isn't a monolithic GUI program but a command line tool it
+can be used from within other applications too. This way it is possible
+to equip tools like e.g. web applications with LilyPond's engraving
+power. There already exist several online tools using LilyPond.
+
+@c (TBD: Add a link to the new @ref{Applications} page.
+
+
@divEnd
-@divClass{color3}
+@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Environment
@imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right}
-@subsubheading Free software
-
-LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get
-it from the download page.
-
-It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source
-code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated
-by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
-pay someone else to do it.
@subsubheading Excellent support
LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and
Windows. LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds
of example files. There is an active user community answering
-questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, while the development
-team makes sure that problems are solved quickly.
+questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, offering you friendly
+help. The response time is usually very short, and often brillant
+solutions to reported problems are developed. Thanks to the close
+interaction with the development team such solutions are regularly
+included in LilyPond itself.
+Read more in @ref{Community}.
-@subsubheading Enhanced editors
+@subsubheading Free software
+LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get
+it from the download page.
-Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users, have also
-written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
-LilyPond files faster and more effective. For some examples, see
-@ref{Easier editing}.
+It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source
+code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated
+by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
+pay someone else to do it.
+Read more on @ref{Freedom}.
@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@node Examples
@unnumberedsec Examples
+@divClass{column-center-top}
+
+@subheading Beautiful examples
+
LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!
@exampleImage{bach-schenker}
@newsEnd
+@newsItem
+@subsubheading Customized Output
+
+A short excerpt from Stockhausen's Klavierstück II to demonstrate
+Lilypond's ability to provide customised output.
+
+@exampleImage{Stockhausen_Klavierstueck2}
+@newsEnd
+
@newsItem
@subsubheading Vocal Music
@exampleImage{orchestra}
@newsEnd
+@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?
We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics:
the art of creating beauty with a computer.
-If you just want a quick introduction to LilyPond, the essay might
-be too much material to read. If you would like to read it now,
-please progress to @ref{Essay}.
+This is interesting reading if you are interested in an in-depth
+discussion of our fundamental ideas. Due to its volume the
+essay is available as a "manual". If you would like to read
+it now, please progress to @ref{Essay}. However, if you just
+want a quick introduction to LilyPond, you might skip it for now.
@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@node Productions
@unnumberedsec Productions
+@divClass{column-center-top}
+
+@subheading Productions using LilyPond
+
+Here you can read about people who actually use LilyPond
+in their productions, be it for performances of their
+music or as published scores.
+
+@divEnd
+
@divClass{column-left-top}
@subheading Concerts
@divClass{keep-bullets}
@itemize
+@item
+@uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} has re-orchestrated
+@emph{Der Ring des Nibelungen} by Richard Wagner to a
+@uref{http://www.rsb-online.de/content/konzerte/wagnerzyklus-10-13/wagner-fuer-kinder/index_ger.html,100-minute version for children}.
+It has been written for a standard symphony orchestra but with a reduced
+cast of singers, and will be performed by the
+@emph{Radio-Sinfonieorchester Berlin} on the 5th and 6th April 2014 in
+the Atze Musiktheater, Berlin. The Conductor is Heiko Matthias Förster.
+
+@item
+Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee}
+(@emph{Sing along}) by Annie M.G. published by Querido -- ISBN
+9789045106205:
+@uref{http://www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl/web/Boek.htm?dbid=18954&typeofpage=134707, www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl}; choir
+rehearsal scores for the Dutch translation of Benjamin Britten's
+@emph{Saint Nicolas} performed by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep} in
+2011.
+@uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}; and is currently
+working on the score and parts for an arrangement of Moussurgsky's
+@emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and percussion. To be
+performed in 2014, again by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.
+
@item
A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four
@node Reviews
@unnumberedsec Reviews
+@divClass{column-center-top}
+@subheading What do people say about LilyPond?
+
+@divEnd
+
+
@divClass{column-left-top}
@subheading Published articles
The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
@uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg,
describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
-free (open source) software [..] The sheet music produced by
-LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [..] a very powerful system that
+free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by
+LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that
can do almost anything.}
@item
Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
@uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
-Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{... you can make lead sheets or full
+Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full
orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
@uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
issue CMS06.
work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
-application. [..] basically untweaked LilyPond output [..] looks
-better than most recent @q{professional} publications I've compared
-it to (q.v., just about any Warner Bros. score, and even many of
-the most recent by @q{the old houses}). [..]}
-
-@qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
+application. [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output
+[@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional}
+publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner
+Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old
+houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
@divEnd
@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra
-@qq{I think LilyPond is great [..] The more I learn about LilyPond
+@qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond
the more I like it!}
@divEnd
@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading Vaylor Trucks, Electric guitar player (Yes, @uref{http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=userpage&file=content&page_id=12, related to})
-@qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [..]}
+@qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]}
@qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}
@qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion
because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
-LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [..] as
+LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as
LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway,
what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
before they come up!
-Please read the Learning Manual before complaining about bugs!
-New users occasionally believe that LilyPond is not working
-correctly, when in fact it is working precisely as designed.
+Occasionally new users are unnecessarily confused by some aspects
+of LilyPond's behaviour. Please read this manual before doubting
+whether LilyPond is working correctly.
More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.
+Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of
+@uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials}
+on his blog and which are aimed at new users.
+
@subsubheading Easier editing environments
@uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
With tunefl you can typeset your scores directly online
-without needing to install lilypond locally. It allows
+without needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows
trying out all the program's features using a convenient
web interface.
@item
@uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical
note entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces
-lilypond notes.
+LilyPond notes.
@end itemize