I just was taking a stroll across the garritan website (www.garritan.com) and noticed that they had Rimsky-Korsakov's "Priciples of Orchestration" on the site forums. As they put it, "Rimsky-Korsakov's genius for orchestration is unsurpassed and there may be no better source to learn about orchestration than to learn from what the great Russian master himself taught". After skimming through the 10 lessons they have posted, I realized there is a lot of great stuff there, (which is why many colleges use it). Some of it is basic, but there is also a lot of advanced material. I'm sure everyone could pick up a thing or two from these lessons. The folks at Garritan have put it together very well, and also made it interactive, so you don't have to download any clips, just press a play button. Rimsky-Korsakov's Priciples of Orchestration [Edited by - LessBread on August 2, 2006 12:56:20 PM]

Awesome find and a great reference! Thanks!

Tony

yeah it's a good reference I have used it a few times...I found it somewhat annoying though when information was outdated and they had to mention "this rule is no longer followed so strictly" and things like that.

Thanks much!

Ryan

That is a great book, I managed to pick up a 1903 printing of it as my first copy. The garritan presentation of it is great, and I would stress to anyone who's planning to pick up the book, that while there is great material, a lot of it trly is outdated, principally in respect to what R-K considered to be the quality and capability of different instruments(example, that trombones cannot double-tongue.)

Quote: Original post by krikkit
That is a great book, I managed to pick up a 1903 printing of it as my first copy. The garritan presentation of it is great, and I would stress to anyone who's planning to pick up the book, that while there is great material, a lot of it trly is outdated, principally in respect to what R-K considered to be the quality and capability of different instruments(example, that trombones cannot double-tongue.)

There are several professors who have left commentary after each lesson the garritan website that address some of the facts that are outdated. Although it doesn't solve the fact that the book is showing it's age, it does bring many of the outdated issues to the reader's attention.

Ryan,

You're welcome!

Oh, yeah, the Garritan presentation is awesome for updating. I was thinking of folks like me, who might want to have printing of the book.

Quote: Original post by JimWelch
yeah it's a good reference I have used it a few times...I found it somewhat annoying though when information was outdated and they had to mention "this rule is no longer followed so strictly" and things like that.

The RK Principles of Orchestration book is not the best reference for learning how instruments function or current playing techniques. It's definitely dated in that regard.

However, it is still an excellent treatise to learn how RK approached orchestral balance, textures, and colors. If you have the basics of instrumentation under your belt, the book is definitely a worthwhile study! [cool]

Now I'll have to check out that site as well...

There are many other better reference books about orchestration.

Instead of books I think the best is to use your ear, after some 3-5 years having composition classes with top level composers.

If anyone is based (or can get to) LA, Scott Smalley (the guy who orchestrated films like "Mission Impossible" and "Batman") does a fantastic weekend course on orchestrating for films, specifically on how to get that big, Hollywood style. I can't quite remember the price (I think it's something like USD $180 or so) but that includes 2 very thick A4 pads of actual scores from films, and a couple of CDs. Definitely worth a go - I went last October from the UK, and learnt soooo much from that course.

That's not to say that RK doesn't have a lot to offer. :)