Transcriptions

[Horse Opera]

Who here has done a transcription of a composer's piano or chamber piece to a large orchestra with VSL? This is something I'm thinking of doing as an excercise in orchestration and in order to learn VSL more.

That being said, has anybody ever heard an Orchestrated version of Chopin's "Raindrop Suite"?

-BW

[plowman]

I imagine many of us here have done transcriptions.

There is an older book called "Orchestration, a Practical Handbook." I doubt that it's still being published, but you may find it in a library or used book store. The entire book is nothing but piano scores translated to orchestra. It works as a primer.

Chopin would be a worthy challenge as he wrote idiomatically for piano. Many of his figurations would need to be revisited for orchestra.

Also, Sibelius noted that, contrary to the piano, the orchestra has no pedal.

Another great study score is Ravel's orchestration of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." You can find scores that have the original piano at the bottom, below Ravel's orchestration.

Cheers.

[rawmusic]

Much of Mozart's solo piano compositions translate almost automatically for string quartet and classical orchestra (I know from having to do several at university). I do feel, along with several much better pianists than I, that Mozart's piano writing is very orchestral anyway, and by imagining how you might arrange it for orchestra, you can bring the piece alive to a greater degree. I wonder if he wrote such music with orchestral sounds in his mind.

As an arranger myself, I have had the opportunity of arranging piano music for ensembles from school orchestras to small professional ensembles, with varying degrees of success. It is the imposition of the parameters in terms of the forces available that makes arranging often slightly a chore rather than an out and out pleasure. I once had to arrange the wedding march from Lohengrin and a few hymns for descant recorder, oboe, classical guitar and french horn. Sounded ok, but not my first choice of instruments.

[Horse Opera]

@Plowman said:

There is an older book called "Orchestration, a Practical Handbook." I doubt that it's still being published, but you may find it in a library or used book store. The entire book is nothing but piano scores translated to orchestra. It works as a primer.

Sounds perfect, thanks!

-BW

[Horse Opera]

@rawmusic said:

It is the imposition of the parameters in terms of the forces available that makes arranging often slightly a chore rather than an out and out pleasure..

I am starting to realize this, I wrote a piece with just a piano, and I'm having a hard time arranging it. I think maybe before I tackle Chopin I should try transcribing myself first!

-BW

[Horse Opera]

@Plowman said:

Another great study score is Ravel's orchestration of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." You can find scores that have the original piano at the bottom, below Ravel's orchestration.

Just relistened to this, didn't quite like it the first time, but I don't know why, it's pretty darn awesome.

-BW

[plowman]

http://www.alexanderpublishing.com/music/orchestration/practicalhandbook.shtml

I just remembered that Peter Alexander has the Joesph Wagner book for sale as a PDF. I hope it is of value to you. Be advised that it can be a bit formulaic at times. But if you feel drawn to transcribing piano specifically to larger orchestra settings, you may find it helpful.

I'm glad you like "Pictures." For your purpose, the real value comes when you get the score with the piano version at the bottom. Boosey and Hawkes publishes a miniature score like this. And it likely can be found in a larger version.

Regards.

[Horse Opera]

Thanks again Plowman!

I also forgot, Balakirev's "Chopin Suite"!

-BW