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{{Short description|Book by Hector Berlioz}}
The ''Treatise on Instrumentation'' (Sometimes ''Treatise on Orchestration'') is a technical study of Western [[musical instruments]], written by [[Hector Berlioz]]. The text was later revised by [[Richard Strauss]] in [[1904]] to include more modern instruments. The book discusses the various technical aspects of instruments, such as chromatic range, tone quality, and limitations. It further explains what the particular instruemnts role within the [[orchestra]] is.
[[File:Berlioz - Page de titre du traité d'instrumentation.JPG|thumb|Treatise on Instrumentation]]
{{Italic title}}
'''''Grand traité d’instrumentation et d’orchestration modernes''''', abbreviated in [[English language|English]] as the '''''Treatise on Instrumentation''''' (sometimes '''''Treatise on Orchestration''''') is a technical study of [[Western culture|Western]] [[musical instrument]]s written by [[Hector Berlioz]]. It was first published in 1844 after being serialised in many parts prior to this date and had a chapter added by Berlioz on [[conducting]] in 1855.

In 1904, [[Richard Strauss]] was asked to update the text to include some modern instruments and added musical examples from Wagner, and in 1905 the updated ''Treatise'' with a new preface by Strauss was published in German.<ref>''Instrumentationslehre'', Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss, CF Peters, Edition Peters 3120, Leipzig 1905</ref> The 1905 edition was translated into English in 1948.<ref name="its" />

The book discusses the various technical aspects of instruments, such as chromatic [[Range (music)|range]], [[Timbre|tone quality]], and limitations. An explanation of the role of particular instruments within the [[orchestra]] is also provided. The book also provides orchestral excerpts from [[classical music|classical]] [[Sheet music|scores]] to give examples of techniques discussed. These examples are sometimes of works by Berlioz himself, while [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]], [[Richard Wagner|Wagner]], [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]], and [[Christoph Willibald Gluck|Gluck]] are also frequently cited.<ref name="its" />

Many composers studied the work closely, such as [[Modest Mussorgsky]], [[Gustav Mahler]], Richard Strauss, and [[Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov]].


==Instruments discussed==
==Instruments discussed==
The following musical instruments are discussed in the Treatise.<ref name="its">''Treatise on Instrumentation'' by Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss, translated by Theodore Front, published by Edwin F. Kalmus, NY, NY 1948</ref>


'''Strings:'''
'''Strings:'''
*[[Violin]]
*[[Violin]]
*[[Viola]]
*[[Viola]]
*[[Viola d'Amore]]
*[[Viola d'amore]]
*[[Viola da Gamba]]
*[[Viol|Viola da gamba]]
*[[Violincello]]
*[[Cello]]
*[[Double-Bass]]
*[[Double bass]]

Plucked Strings:
'''Plucked strings:'''
*[[Harp]]
*[[Harp]]
*[[Guitar]]
*[[Guitar]]
*[[Mandolin]]
*[[Mandolin]]

Keyboards:
'''Keyboards:'''
*[[Pianoforte]]
*[[Organ]]
*[[Piano]]
*[[Organ (music)|Organ]]
⚫
'''Wind Instruments:'''

⚫
'''Wind instruments:'''
*[[Oboe]]
*[[Oboe]]
*[[Oboe d'Amore]]
*[[Oboe d'amore]]
*[[English Horn]]
*[[Cor anglais|English horn]]
*[[Bassoon]]
*[[Bassoon]]
*[[Tenoroon]] (Bassoon Quinte)
*[[Tenoroon]] (Bassoon Quinte)
*[[Clarinets]] (including Alto and Bass clarinets)
*[[Clarinet]]s (including Alto and Bass clarinets)
*[[Basset-Horn]]
*[[Basset-horn]]
*[[Flute]] (alto flute)
*[[Western concert flute|Flute]] ([[alto flute]])
*[[Piccolo]]
*[[Piccolo]]
*[[Serpent]]
*[[Serpent (instrument)|Serpent]]
*[[Russian Bassoon]]
*[[Russian bassoon]]

'''Brass Instruments:'''
'''Brass instruments:'''
*[[French Horn]]
*[[Valve Horn]]
*[[French horn]]
*Valve horn
*[[Trumpet]]
*[[Trumpet]]
*[[Cornet]]
*[[Cornet]]
*[[Trombones]]
*[[Trombone]]s
*[[Tubas]] (bass tuba)
*[[Tuba]]s (bass tuba)
*[[Bugle]]
*[[Bugle (instrument)|Bugle]]
*[[Key Bugle]]
*[[Keyed bugle]]
*[[Valve Bugle]]
*Valve bugle
*[[Ophicleide]] (Bass, Alto, Double-Bass
*[[Ophicleide]] (Bass, Alto, Double-Bass)
*[[Bombardon]]
*[[Bombardon]]

Voices ([[Saprano]], [[Alto]], [[Tenor]], [[Bass]] etc.)
'''Voices:''' ([[Soprano]], [[Alto]], [[Tenor]], [[Bass (vocal range)|Bass]] etc.)
⚫
'''Percussion'''

⚫
*[[Timpani]] (Kettle Drums)
⚫
'''Percussion:'''
*[[Bells]]
⚫
*[[Timpani]] (Kettle drums)
*[[Bell (instrument)|Bells]]
*[[Glockenspiel]]
*[[Glockenspiel]]
*[[Glass Harmonica]]
*[[Glass harmonica]]
*[[Ancient Cymbals]]
*[[Crotales|Ancient cymbals]]
*[[Bass Drum]]
*[[Bass drum]]
*[[Gong]]
*[[Gong]]
*[[Tambourine]]
*[[Tambourine]]
*[[Side Drum]]
*[[Snare drum|Side drum]]
*[[Tenor Drum]]
*[[Tenor drum]]
*[[Triangle]]
*[[Triangle (musical instrument)|Triangle]]
*[[Crescent]]
*[[Turkish crescent|Crescent]]

'''New Instruments''' (note, this refers to new instruments as of ca. 1850)
'''New instruments:'''<ref name="new">'''Note:''' this refers to new instruments as of ca. 1850.</ref>
*[[Saxophones]]
*[[Saxhorns]]
*[[Saxophone]]s
*[[Saxotrombas]]
*[[Saxhorn]]
*[[Saxtubas]]
*[[Saxotromba]]s
*[[Saxtuba]]s
*[[Concertina]]
*[[Concertina]]
*[[Melodium Organ]]
*Melodium organ
*[[Octobass]]
*[[Octobass]]
*[[Pianos]] and Melodiums with prolonged sounds
*[[Piano]]s and Melodiums with prolonged sounds

'''The Orchestra'''
==Other topics discussed==
'''The orchestra''': An overview of how the orchestra functions as a whole and its development throughout history.

'''On conducting''': A brief discussion of conducting practices in Europe during Berlioz's day. Berlioz was also known as a great conductor in his time, in addition to a composer.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMSLP2|work=Grand Treatise on Instrumentation and Modern Orchestration, Op.10 (Berlioz, Hector)|cname=''Treatise on Instrumentation''}}
* [http://www.hberlioz.com/Scores/BerliozTreatise.html Excerpts from the ''Treatise on Instrumentation and Orchestration'']
* [http://imslp.org/wiki/Treatise_on_Instrumentation_%28Berlioz%2C_Louis_Hector%29 ''Treatise on Instrumentation and Orchestration'' complete, with additions by Richard Strauss, in English, on IMSLP.org]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=YMg5AAAAIAAJ ''Treatise on Instrumentation and Orchestration'', English translation of the 1858 Novello edition at Google Books]

{{Berlioz compositions}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Books by Hector Berlioz]]
'''On Conducting'''
[[Category:Music theory]]
[[Category:Musicology]]
[[Category:1844 books]]
[[Category:Literature first published in serial form]]
[[Category:Richard Strauss]]
[[Category:Treatises]]

Latest revision as of 11:51, 18 November 2024

Treatise on Instrumentation

Grand traité d’instrumentation et d’orchestration modernes, abbreviated in English as the Treatise on Instrumentation (sometimes Treatise on Orchestration) is a technical study of Western musical instruments written by Hector Berlioz. It was first published in 1844 after being serialised in many parts prior to this date and had a chapter added by Berlioz on conducting in 1855.

In 1904, Richard Strauss was asked to update the text to include some modern instruments and added musical examples from Wagner, and in 1905 the updated Treatise with a new preface by Strauss was published in German.[1] The 1905 edition was translated into English in 1948.[2]

The book discusses the various technical aspects of instruments, such as chromatic range, tone quality, and limitations. An explanation of the role of particular instruments within the orchestra is also provided. The book also provides orchestral excerpts from classical scores to give examples of techniques discussed. These examples are sometimes of works by Berlioz himself, while Mozart, Wagner, Beethoven, and Gluck are also frequently cited.[2]

Many composers studied the work closely, such as Modest Mussorgsky, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Instruments discussed

[edit]

The following musical instruments are discussed in the Treatise.[2]

Strings:

Plucked strings:

Keyboards:

Wind instruments:

Brass instruments:

Voices: (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass etc.)

Percussion:

New instruments:[3]

Other topics discussed

[edit]

The orchestra: An overview of how the orchestra functions as a whole and its development throughout history.

On conducting: A brief discussion of conducting practices in Europe during Berlioz's day. Berlioz was also known as a great conductor in his time, in addition to a composer.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Instrumentationslehre, Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss, CF Peters, Edition Peters 3120, Leipzig 1905
  2. ^ a b c Treatise on Instrumentation by Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss, translated by Theodore Front, published by Edwin F. Kalmus, NY, NY 1948
  3. ^ Note: this refers to new instruments as of ca. 1850.
[edit]
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