The Cambridge Companion to the Orchestra

This guide to the orchestra and orchestral life is unique in its breadth of coverage.

Colin Lawson (Edited by)

9780521806589, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 April 2003

312 pages, 9 b/w illus. 30 music examples
25.6 x 18 x 2.4 cm, 0.76 kg

'Colin Lawson's book provides both a fascinating introduction to orchestra's many facets and a stimulating set of diverse essays … this book is a stimulating resource, and will provide an excellent addition to any bookshelf … I should be surprised if even those who live and breathe orchestras do not find thought-provoking material here, as well as anecdotes to delight in.' British Journal of Music Education

This guide to the orchestra and orchestral life is unique in the breadth of its coverage. It combines orchestral history and orchestral repertory with a practical bias offering critical thought about the past, present and future of the orchestra as a sociological and as an artistic phenomenon. This approach reflects many of the current global discussions about the orchestra's continued role in a changing society. Other topics discussed include the art of orchestration, scorereading, conductors and conducting, international orchestras, recording, as well as consideration of what it means to be an orchestral musician, an educator, or an informed listener. Written by experts in the field, the book will be of academic and practical interest to a wide-ranging readership of music historians and professional or amateur musicians as well as an invaluable resource for all those contemplating a career in the performing arts.

1. The history of the orchestra Tim Carter and Erik Levi
2. The development of musical instruments Robert Barclay
3. The orchestral repertory Peter Laki
4. From notation to sound Richard Rastall
5. The art of orchestration Julian Rushton
6. The history of direction and conducting Jeremy Siepman
7. International case studies Jon Tolanski
8. The revival of historical instruments Colin Lawson
9. Recording the orchestra John Rushby-Smith
10. Training the orchestral musician Simon Channing
11. The life of an orchestral musician Clive Gillinson and Jonathan Vaughan
12. Historical recordings of orchestras Robert Philip
13. The orchestral composer Robert Saxton
14. Educational programmes Sue Knussen
15. The future of the orchestra Stephen Cottrell. Appendix 1. The constitution of selected orchestras
Appendix 2. Orchestras founded in the nineteenth century
Appendix 3. Orchestras founded in the twentieth century.

Subject Areas: Techniques of music / music tutorials [AVS], Theory of music & musicology [AVA]