Customer Reviews

Orchestral Combinations: The Science and Art of Instrumental Tone-Color

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NB: from an unqualified amateur cf. professional orchestrator etc

I loaned a copy of this from the British library on the strength of the title, however, the content of the book is not at all represented by this title - emphasis on the word Science might logically lead one to think that the book contains a significant content in the areas of musical acoustics or perceptual psychology etc. related to instrument combinations. However, as the author himself states (paraphrase) the book is nothing more than a compendium/reference of instrument combinations (usually doublings) from the 'classical repertoire'. eg. Instrument X is octave doubled with Instrument Y in the work Z. Hundreds of such combinations are cited but in many cases the accompanying comments are no more than a couple of qualitative descriptive sentences. In many cases then to really appreciate the character of the cited combination it becomes essential to access a recording/score - this makes the book's utility then to a significant degree exclusively for those with access to a major university library etc. (although you could listen to samples on Amazon I suppose) If you read the book from cover to cover and made notes some general principles of instrument combination could be constructed from these, however, the main function of the book would seem to be as a reference of illustrative/quintessential example works for 'professional'(ie. those with the time to both seek out and listen to all these) composers and orchestrators and concert programmers etc.

This is a much needed compendium of instrumental combinations that composers should have in mind when writing for orchestra. The only thing missing here -for teaching purposes that is- is a CD with the aural illustration of the examples given in the book. I truly value this book.

This book seems to be the latest complementary text to this amazing and prolific author's encyclopedic output of musical reference materials. It sets out in detailed and clear sections examples of important classical (up through the late 20th century) repertoire featuring two-or-more-instrument "orchestral combinations" of interest - i.e., anything from violin and viola to cello and contrabassoon. The most useful examples that Read provides, I feel, are the ones with his comments and insights, which are right on the mark; otherwise, this text is a very valuable cross-referencing resource for the aspiring orchestrator. The only (very slight) disappointment I had regarding this book was that it only deals with orchestral doublings at the unison and at the octave (or multiple-octave), although I suppose that trying to do even more would have required an immensely larger text. In any case, well worth the investment for someone who spends a lot of time writing or analyzing orchestral music.

Sure... it's a great compendium of instrument doublings through the 20th century... but has relatively little information about what is promised in the title -- which is "art of instrumental tone-color".

I would've found the reference actually "use-able" if the author actually would have described what "tonal colors" are created by combining the said instruments. Instead, he just mentions that these instruments have been used in the past, and usually an example or two (which I love... and IS valuable) -- but then leaves it up to me to dig-up the music example. A reference CD would be a wonderful companion product.

Having harped on it... I will say it must have taken YEARS to compile such a resource, and am grateful that someone has. I would just like to see it taken to the next level, which involves two things I was hoping for:

1) a reference CD library of all the examples sited so I could HEAR the combinations referred to
2) a more useful resource which included recommendations or starting points for the art of tone-color (i.e. If your song needs dark overtones, here are several historical combinations that have worked well in the past).

Although I may refer to this encyclopedia reference in the coming years -- I feel mislead by the title, and would prefer not to even have spent the $80. Kudos to Mr. Read for compiling such a reference... I just wish it were more practical.