Principles of Orchestration, with Musical Examples Drawn from His Own Works

"Principles of Orchestration, with Musical Examples Drawn from His Own Works" by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov is a guide that explores the art of writing music for orchestras, using the author’s experience to explain key ideas. Designed for music students and composers, the book looks at the different parts of an orchestra, starting with string instruments and explaining how each instrument can be used to create different sounds. It gives practical advice on combining instruments effectively, understanding their tonal qualities, and using them to express feelings, with the understanding that orchestration is fundamentally an artistic endeavor. The book emphasizes how important orchestration is to music composition, providing a foundation for musicians to creatively master this skill, while acknowledging that the true creativity cannot be learned solely by formulas.