Principles of Orchestration, with Musical Examples Drawn from His Own Works

audiobook

Principles of Orchestration, with Musical Examples Drawn from His Own Works

by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

EN·~5 hours·60 chapters

Chapters

60 total
1

Transcriber’s Notes

2:17
2

NIKOLAY RIMSKY-KORSAKOV - Principles of Orchestration - with musical examples drawn from his own works - Edited by MAXIMILIAN STEINBERG English translation by EDWARD AGATE - \[VOLUMES I and II\]

0:15
3

CONTENTS Volume I - Text

3:12
4

NIKOLAY RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Principles of Orchestration - with musical examples drawn from his own works - Edited by MAXIMILIAN STEINBERG English translation by EDWARD AGATE - \[VOLUME I\]

0:18
5

Editor’s Preface.

13:38
6

Extract from the Author’s Preface (1891).

8:16
7

Extract from the Preface to the last edition.

1:54
8

Chapter I.

0:03
9

A. Stringed Instruments.

10:53
10

B. Wind instruments. - Wood-wind.

26:20

Description

A thorough guide to the art of orchestration, this work walks listeners through every section of the orchestra, from strings and woodwinds to brass, percussion and keyboard instruments. Each chapter explains how to shape melody, harmony and texture, offering clear rules for grouping, doubling, and blending timbres. The author illustrates each principle with excerpts taken directly from his own compositions, letting readers hear the concepts in action.

The edition adds modern convenience: every musical example is linked to a short audio file, and the full scores are available as PDF and MusicXML for closer study. Practical notes describe how to manage dynamics, articulation and special effects, while technical tips on instrument range and resonance help users avoid common pitfalls. Whether you’re a student of composition or an inquisitive listener, the book provides a step‑by‑step look at how an orchestra can be shaped to serve a musical idea.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~5 hours (328K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2010-09-29

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

1844–1908

Best known for the glittering colors of Scheherazade and the famous "Flight of the Bumblebee," this Russian composer helped shape how orchestras could sound. His music is rich with legend, drama, and vivid atmosphere, which is why it still feels so alive today.

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