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Principles of orchestration

with musical examples drawn from his own works
  
  
  
  
  

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C. Combination of the three groups.
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C. Combination of the three groups.

The combination of strings, wood-wind and brass instruments,
set side by side, produces a full, round and firm tone.

    Examples:

  • No. 172. The Tsar's Bride, before 145 — Ob., Fag. + Horns
                                  + Strings.
  •           "     "     "     final chord (cf. Table I of chords,
                                  Ex. 5).
  • * No. 173. Sadko, end of 1st tableau — short chords. Last chords
    of the 1st, 3rd and 7th tableaux (cf. Table I and III, Vol. II, Ex. 9,
    10, 18).
  • * No. 174. The Christmas Night 22 — Wind + Brass c. sord. +
    tremolo strings.
  • Legend of Kitesh 162 (cf. Ex. 250).
  • Snegourotchka — end of opera, (cf. Table III in Vol. II, Ex. 17)
    and a host of other examples.

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Page 96

General Observations. Balance and correct distribution of tone
is much more important in dealing with long sustained chords or
those of rhythmic design; in the case of short, disconnected chords
resonance is a minor consideration, but one which should not be
entirely neglected.

I have endeavoured to outline the general principles to be
followed, but I do not profess to deal with all the countless cases
which may arise in the course of orchestration. I have given a
few examples of well-sounding chords; for further information I
advise the reader to study full scores with care, as this is the
only method to acquire perfect knowledge of the distribution
and doubling of various instruments.

 
[2]

A splendid example of the combination of strings and brass may be
found in the introduction to the 2nd scene of the 4th act of "Khovanstchina"
by Moussorgsky, orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakov. (Editor's note.)