Principles of Orchestration (Dover Books On Music: Analysis)

This book is an essential guide for music majors looking to develop their orchestration skills and create imaginative and brilliant orchestral compositions.
 
"To orchestrate is to create, and this cannot be taught," wrote Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, the great Russian composer whose genius for brilliant, highly colored orchestration is unsurpassed. In this affordable paperback reprint of an influential work of music theory, Rimsky-Korsakov, the great classical orchestrator, provides fundamentals of tonal resonance, progression of parts, voice and orchestra, tutti effects, and much more. This major document includes 330 pages of musical excerpts and extracts from Rimsky-Korsakov's 1891 draft and final versions of his Preface.
 

• Comprehensive Learning: Principles of Orchestration provides a comprehensive exploration of orchestration principles, covering topics such as tonal resonance, orchestral combination, and achieving specific tone qualities/instrument timbres.
• Practical Illustrations: The book includes over 330 pages of musical examples and exercises from Rimsky-Korsakov's own works, allowing students to see practical applications of the discussed techniques and concepts.
• Historical Perspective: Rimsky-Korsakov draws on his experience as a composer and conductor to provide historical context and insights into the evolution of orchestral techniques.
• Systematic Arrangement: The material in the book is systematically arranged according to each constituent of the orchestra, making it easy for students to study and understand the role of different instruments in orchestration.
• Chapter Topics: Inside, you'll find a general review of orchestral groups and musical instruments – string, wind, and percussion; the effect of harmony and melody on individual groups and their impact on different combinations of groups; the composition of the orchestra and other ways of orchestrating the same music; a supplement on voices: solo and combined with the orchestra; voices in duets, trios, quartets, chorus, and more.
• Technical Guidance: Rimsky-Korsakov offers technical guidance on various orchestration topics, including chord progression and achieving specific tone qualities, helping students develop their orchestration skills.
• Valuable Resource: "Principles of Orchestration" is invaluable for any music student looking to enhance their understanding of orchestration principles and techniques.
• Classic and Timeless: Written by a major composer, this book is considered a classic in orchestration and continues to be highly regarded for its wealth of musical examples and systematic approach.

Principles of Orchestration by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov is an invaluable resource for any music major. With its wealth of musical examples and systematic approach, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of orchestration principles, providing students with the knowledge and techniques necessary to create extraordinary orchestral compositions.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844–1908) was a prolific composer of orchestral works and many other forms of music, including chamber works and art songs. He also wrote many operas, excerpts from which are featured in this collection; most notably, "The Flight of the Bumblebee" from The Tale of Tsar Saltan.