The orchestra: a user's manual

Hugill, A (2004) The orchestra: a user's manual.

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Official URL: http://andrewhugill.com/manuals

Abstract

The Orchestra: A User's Manual is one element of The Sound Exchange, a pioneering web development by the Philharmonia Orchestra. The aim of the user's manual is to provide information about the orchestra, orchestration, composition and instruments, for the benefit of anybody with an interest in the subject. Unlike conventional text-based orchestration manuals, this features movies of players explaining relevant aspects of their instruments and technique, audio clips and samples of the instruments, and illustrative music from the repertoire drawn from the Philharmonia's postwar recorded archive. The Philharmonia is the most recorded orchestra in history and from its birth in 1945 has been associated with new technologies. This use of the internet to convey information is entirely consistent with its desire to open up access to all areas of orchestral life and music-making. The User's Manual will be useful to anyone with an interest in orchestras and orchestral music. It will also have a specific relevance to composers, orchestrators, students, and anyone learning to play an instrument. By asking players themselves to explain the nature and technical limitations of their instruments it is intended that a realistic picture of the orchestra will emerge. A recurring feature of the video clips is that, while certain techniques are a theoretical possibility, in practice they are often limited or even unsatisfactory. By acquainting the orchestrator with these, it is hoped that much time-wasting in rehearsal can be avoided! In addition, illustrative clips from the archive give actual sounding examples of good practice in orchestration.

Item Type: Other
Subjects: M Music and Books on Music > M Music
M Music and Books on Music > MT Musical instruction and study
Divisions: Bath School of Music and Performing Arts
Date Deposited: 27 May 2014 16:23
Last Modified: 15 Aug 2021 09:34
References: Blatter, A. (1997) Instrumentation and Orchestration New York: Schirmer Casella, A. and Mortari, V. (1958) La Technique de l'Orchestre Contemporain Paris: Ricordi Corder, F. (1894) The Orchestra and How to Write for It London: Curwen Peinkofer, K and Tannigel, F. (1969) Handbook of Percussion Instruments London: Schott Piston, W. (1958) Orchestration London: Gollancz Read, G. (1969) Thesaurus of Orchestral Devices New York: Greenwood Rimsky-Korsakov, N. (1891, first published 1922, reprinted 1964) Principles of Orchestration New York: Dover
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/1972
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