Grand traité d’instrumentation et d’orchestration modernes, abbreviated inEnglish as theTreatise on Instrumentation (sometimesTreatise on Orchestration) is a technical study ofWesternmusical instruments written byHector Berlioz. It was first published in 1844 after being serialised in many parts prior to this date and had a chapter added by Berlioz onconducting 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 updatedTreatise 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 chromaticrange,tone quality, and limitations. An explanation of the role of particular instruments within theorchestra is also provided. The book also provides orchestral excerpts fromclassicalscores to give examples of techniques discussed. These examples are sometimes of works by Berlioz himself, whileMozart,Wagner,Beethoven, andGluck are also frequently cited.[2]
Many composers studied the work closely, such asModest Mussorgsky,Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, andNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
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]
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.
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