Instrumentation and Classical Arranging

Learning Objective
The students are capable of:

  1. producing musically sound instrumentations on the basis of their insight and skill, and
  2. assessing existing instrumentations expertly.

Course Description
The course is designed to teach instrumentation for small and large ensembles. Students will learn to write their own scores for historically valid ensembles. The style aspect is an important criterion for the evaluation of these scores.
Every aspect of score-writing will be covered, including knowledge of instruments, notation conventions and creative strategies. Creating a dynamic balance and organizing the playing in the ensemble through the score are important factors alongside the choice of instruments. Students will will also study the instrumentation of existing works and look into the history of instrumentation.

Course details

teachers Michael Langemann
term September 2023-April 2024
method of instruction Weekly classes
readings Adler, S.,The Study of Orchestration. New York: W.W. Norton, 1982.
  Berlioz, H. Treatise on Instrumentation. Enl. and rev. by R. Strauss, transl. by Theodore Front. New York: E.F. Kalmus, 1948.
  Rimsky-Korsakov: Principles of Orchestration, Trans. Edward Agate. Editions Russe de Musique, 1922; Reprint: Dover, 1964
  Sadie, S. ed. The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments. New York: Grove's Dictionaries of Music, Inc., 1984.
assessment A portfolio of instrumentation projects.
credits 10
related electivesBuilding a Successful Professional Practice
  Electronic Music
  Harmony and Analysis Practicum
  Musical Texture
  Technological Strategies in Performing and Composing
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