Orchestral Music (Hardcover)

by David Daniels (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Familiar to conductors, orchestra managers, and music librarians, this compact sourcebook provides information necessary to plan orchestral programs and organize rehearsals: instrumentation, duration, and source of performance materials. The new third edition features 4500 compositions that cover the standard repetoire for American orchestras (a 30% increase over the second edition), better intelligibility in individual entries, and a more useful system of appendixes. One series of appendixes presents categorical lists of various sorts -- solo voice, solo instrumentation, duration, and chorus -- aiding the user in finding pieces that conform to a desired characteristic. Another appendix lists composers grouped by their nationality, ethnicity, or other category useful in programming (e.g., women composers). Yet another appendix lists significant anniversaries of composers, which is useful for someone who wants to plan an orchestra program to celebrate a composer's birth or death. Finally, the handbook provides addresses and phone numbers for publishers and additional information resources.

About the Author
David Daniels, formerly Professor of Music at Oakland University, is Music Director of the Warren Symphony.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 632 pages
• Publisher: The Scarecrow Press, Inc.; 3rd edition (November 21, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810832283
• ISBN-13: 978-0810832282
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,246,458 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WARNING - Not a textbook!, June 5, 2000

By A Customer

Daniels has gone out of his way to create a comprehensive account of a massive and constantly expanding repertoire. This book, however is NOT intended to give program notes or an overview of the pieces. Rather, it's a barebones account of the basic information one would need to know in order to program or perform a piece. An example entry:

Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai Russian Easter overture, op. 36 (Grand Paque russe) *3 2 2 2--4 2 3 1--tmp+4--hp--str Belaieff Kalmus

While this is superb information to know as a conductor trying to develop a program, it will not be able to teach you anything about the piece.

The book is comprehensive and impressive. Buy it, keep it on your shelf.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth twice the price, December 8, 1998

By	Mr. Biscuit (MA USA) - See all my reviews

Any conductor needing information about the enormous repretoire available for orchestra must have this reference book. Many, many works are detailed in these pages - organized by composer, instrumentation, title. Also, handy index of composers by nationality and birthday/death anniversaries. If you wonder how many horns are needed to perform some symphony, or wonder if a work can be played without hiring extra percussionists, or just want ideas for future concerts, this book is a priceless resource. I think about how lucky I am to have come across this tome of information each time I open its pages - undoubtedly you will as well.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Orchestra Conductors!, August 6, 2001

By	maestradiva (Macon, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This is a great book and a must have for all orchestral conductors. It lists instrumentation, timings, publishers, and other very important information for programming. It includes not only standard repertoire, but works by living composers as well. There is no other book like this I know of.