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 included musical examples from Wagner, and in 1905 the updated Treatise with a new preface by Strauss was published in German. The 1905 edition was translated into English in 1948. 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.
- Oboe d'amore
- English horn
- Tenoroon (Bassoon Quinte)
- Clarinets (including Alto and Bass clarinets)
- Flute (alto flute)
- Russian Bassoon
- French horn
- Valve horn
- Tubas (bass tuba)
- Key bugle
- Valve bugle
- Ophicleide (Bass, Alto, Double-Bass)
- Timpani (Kettle drums)
- Glass harmonica
- Ancient cymbals
- Bass drum
- side drum
- Tenor drum
- Melodium organ
- Pianos and Melodiums with prolonged sounds
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.
- Instrumentationslehre, Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss, CF Peters, Edition Peters 3120, Leipzig 1905
- Treatise on Instrumentation by Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss, translated by Theodore Front, published by Edwin F. Kalmus, NY, NY 1948
- Note: this refers to new instruments as of ca. 1850.
- Treatise on Instrumentation: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Excerpts from the Treatise on Instrumentation & Orchestration
- Treatise on Instrumentation & Orchestration complete, with additions by Richard Strauss, in English, on IMSLP.org
- Treatise on Instrumentation & Orchestration, English translation of the 1858 Novello edition at Google Books