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Principles of Orchestration (Dover Books on Music) [Paperback]

Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 1, 1964 Dover Books on Music
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.

Frequently Bought Together

Principles of Orchestration (Dover Books on Music) + Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus Ad Parnassum + Modulation (Dover Books on Music)
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 489 pages
  • Publisher: Dover Publications; New edition edition (June 1, 1964)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0486212661
  • ISBN-13: 978-0486212661
  • Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1 x 9.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

I always keep this book close by. fjuma@yahoo.com  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
It is very useful for any orchestrators to understand the principles the author said. Chui Koon Sang Samuel  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
I would recomend it to every serious composer. CBP  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 60 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic in Orchestration February 2, 2003
Format:Paperback
I own some of the great books of orchestration, say, those by Pistons, Adler and Forsyth, but this book certainly is the best of the best. This is not a book about instrumentation (general information as range, articulations, characteristics, notation), rather it concentrates aspects such as resonance, register, doublings, combination of instrumental colors, as well as information about the chorus. These are the points that need to be considered in the course of orchestration. A well-organized book, with many orchestral excerpts drawn from Korsakov's own works. It is very useful for any orchestrators to understand the principles the author said.
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47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work but not for the dilletante December 18, 2005
Format:Paperback
I suppose it would be redundant for me to praise the work of Rimsky-Korsakov like so many have before, and besides it seems above me to judge such an authoritative book. I do wish, however, that Rimsky-Korsakov would have used examples that were not only from his own works.

The format of this book is difficult since all of the musical examples are located in the back--rebinding it into two volumes would be advisable.

Anyone who studies this book should be familiar with the works of Rimsky-Korsakov, as all of the examples come from his orchestral works. It is also advisable to have at least rudimentary skills in sight-reading scores and/or to have recordings readily available so you can listen to the examples he cites.

You will benefit most from this book if you are able to devote a significant amount of time to listening to the examples given for each concept and composing practice sketches based on the principles Rimsky-Korsakov outlines.

The writing is rather dense and requires time to understand; therefore I would not recommend it to someone for whom composition or arranging is simply a hobby.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book August 26, 1998
Format:Paperback
One of the few Orchestration books that not only discusses the technique of the art, but also the emotional and psychological effect of instrumentation. The translation of the original text is well done. I always keep this book close by.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Good book. Very interesting and easy to understand. Book was in good condition and I would recommend it very highly.
Published 4 months ago by ciaofiggy
4.0 out of 5 stars Technical and informative
As a person with no prior education on the topic I have found this book quite informative. The only thing I did not enjoy as much was the fact that the first quarter of the book... Read more
Published 9 months ago by ILIKETURTLES
5.0 out of 5 stars Best tome of orchestration there could be!
This book has it all! From the sections, to differentiation the sections, to instrumentation, to how to build your sections by instrument choice, what to do with each and every... Read more
Published 23 months ago by McBass23
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read, but...
I purchased and read this book because of many recommendations from very different people, so clearly this is considered to be something of a cornerstone work in the world of... Read more
Published on November 16, 2010 by Edi Martinovic
5.0 out of 5 stars Scheherazade Full Score
I had first ordered "Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade: Get to Know Classical Masterpieces by Hans-Gunter Heumann", thinking I was getting the full score. It was not. Read more
Published on May 7, 2010 by Ruffo
5.0 out of 5 stars A Musician's View
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a consummate master of his art. He was both a musician and composer extraordinaire. Read more
Published on March 10, 2009 by Scott Lyle
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource
Rimsky-Korsakov does an excellent job describing instrumental qualities within a section of an orchestra in "Principles of Orchestration. Read more
Published on February 9, 2008 by recapixevolobition
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for who wants to wirte music. Most practical book
I don't think any book can come close to this book. In terms of the organization and practicallity. RK is the most famous for its colorful and decent orchestration. Read more
Published on December 20, 2007 by Chekad Sarami
3.0 out of 5 stars 19th century Orchestration
Rimsky-Korsakov's treatise deals with many of the common issues of orchestration but is steeped in the music of the 19th century when it was written. Read more
Published on January 11, 2007 by Peter J. Marshall
3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't cover the "Principles" or basics.
This book should be entitled "Tasteful Orchestration" or something similar. Despite the title, the book assumes that the student is well beyond the developmental stage of learning... Read more
Published on April 30, 2006 by Steven B. Dunn
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