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Orchestration

By Walter Piston
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Orchestration by Walter Piston offers a thorough exploration of orchestral instrumentation grounded in the analysis of classical and modern scores. Drawing on his extensive experience as a composer and educator, Piston covers every practical aspect of orchestration, from the technicalities of individual instruments to the complexities of combining melodies, part-writing, chords and counterpoint within the orchestra. The book is extensively illustrated with musical examples and instrument diagrams to deepen understanding.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$15899
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This detailed and well-structured volume is ideal for composers, arrangers, music students, and conductors seeking a comprehensive and practical guide to orchestration grounded in classical traditions.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

In this book Walter Piston again displays those qualities that distinguished his earlier books, Harmony and Counterpoint.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Again he draws upon his own wide knowledge and experience as composer and teacher to present all phases of the subject. No practical aspect of instrumentation for the orchestra is neglected, and comprehensive treatment is given to each significant component.

The author approaches orchestration from the premise that the principles can best be presented by analysis of music as it has been written. The essentials of instrument combination discussed here are those which can be observed operating in the scores of great composers from Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven down to our own day.

Orchestration is notable for the clarity and logic of its organization. From a consideration of the individual instruments and their technical problems, the author skillfully develops his analysis of orchestration. He covers instrumentation of primary and secondary melodies, part-writing, chords, and contrapuntal techniques. Finally, he discusses typical problems in orchestration together with some examples of their solutions.

Orchestration is profusely illustrated with hundreds of musical examples and with drawings of the various musical instruments that make up the modern orchestra.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780393097405

Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 March 1955

Country: United States

Imprint: WW Norton & Co

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 157.0mm

Height: 236.0mm

Weight: 668g

Pages: 488

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Arts & Culture Non-Fiction Walter Piston

About the Author

Walter Piston was Professor of Music at Harvard University. An outstanding composer whose many works have been performed by leading orchestras and chamber ensembles both in the US and abroad, he received the Pulitzer Prize twice for distinguished musical composition.

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