Principles of Orchestration

Principles of Orchestration By Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov Edited by Maximilian Steinberg English Translation by Edward Agate A Treatise on Orchestration Volume I Orchestration is the study or practice of writing music for an orchestra or of adapting music composed for another medium for an orchestra. For example, a work for solo piano could be adapted and orchestrated so that an orchestra could perform the piece. As regards orchestration it has been my good fortune to belong to a first-rate school, and I have acquired the most varied experience. In the first place I have had the opportunity of hearing all my works performed by the excellent orchestra of the St. Petersburgh Opera. Secondly, having experienced leanings towards different directions, I have scored for orchestras of different sizes, beginning with simple combinations (my opera The May Night is written for natural horns and trumpets), and ending with the most advanced. In the third place, I conducted the choir of the Military Marine for several years and was therefore able to study wind-instruments. Finally I formed an orchestra of very young pupils, and succeeded in teaching them to play, quite competently, the works of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Glinka, etc. All this has enabled me to present this work to the public as the result of long experience.