- Treatise on Instrumentation
Grand Traité d’Instrumentation et d’Orchestration Modernes, abbreviated in English as the Treatise on Instrumentation (sometimes "Treatise on Orchestration") is a technical study of Western
musical instrument s, written byHector Berlioz . It was first published in 1844 after being serialised in many parts prior to this date, and had a chapter added by Berlioz onconducting in 1855. The text was later revised byRichard Strauss in 1904 to include more modern instruments. The book discusses the various technical aspects of instruments, such as chromatic range, tone quality, and limitations. An explanation of the role of particular instruments within theorchestra is also provided. The book also provides orchestral excerpts from classicalscores to give examples of techniques discussed. These examples are often of works by Berlioz himself, while Mozart, Wagner, Beethoven, and Gluck are also frequently cited. [Treatise on Instrumentation by Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss, translated by Theodore Front, published by Edwin F. Kalmus, NY, NY 1948]Many composers studied the work closely, such as Mussorgsky, Mahler, R. Strauss, and Rimsky-Korsakov.
=Instruments discussedTreatise on Instrumentation by Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss, translated by Theodore Front, published by Edwin F. Kalmus, NY, NY 1948] =Strings:
*Violin
*Viola
*Viola d'amore
*Viola da gamba
*Violoncello
*Double bass Plucked strings:
*Harp
*Guitar
*Mandolin Keyboards:
*Pianoforte
*OrganWind instruments:
*Oboe
*Oboe d'amore
*English horn
*Bassoon
*Tenoroon (Bassoon Quinte)
*Clarinet s (including Alto and Bass clarinets)
*Basset-horn
*Flute (alto flute)
*Piccolo
*Serpent
*Russian Bassoon Brass instruments:
*French horn
*Valve horn
*Trumpet
*Cornet
*Trombone s
*Tuba s (bass tuba)
*Bugle
*Key bugle
*Valve bugle
*Ophicleide (Bass, Alto, Double-Bass)
*Bombardon Voices: (
Soprano ,Alto ,Tenor , Bass etc.)Percussion:
*Timpani (Kettle drums)
*Bells
*Glockenspiel
*Glass harmonica
*Ancient cymbals
*Bass drum
*Gong
*Tambourine
*side drum
*Tenor drum
*Triangle
*CrescentOther topics discussed
The orchestra - an overview of how the orchestra functions as a whole, and its development throughout history.
On conducting - a brief discussion of conducting practices in Europe during Berlioz's day. It should be noted that Berlioz was also known as a great conductor in his time, in addition to a composer.
References
External links
* [http://www.hberlioz.com/Scores/BerliozTreatise.html Excerpts from the "Treatise on Instrumentation & Orchestration"]
* [http://imslp.org/wiki/Treatise_on_Instrumentation_%28Berlioz%2C_Louis_Hector%29 "Treatise on Instrumentation & Orchestration" complete, with additions by Richard Strauss, in English, on IMSLP.org]
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