Orchestration II ( 07:700:342 )
Spring 2020
REPERTOIRE (PDF)
CLASS SCHEDULE & TOPICS
subject to modification or reordering
1. Two representations of water
Wagner: Prelude to Das Rheingold / score / recording (1854)
John Luther Adams: Become Ocean / score / recording (2013)
+ John Luther Adams: Become Desert / score / recording (2019) - optional
2. Color and contrast
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker / score (1892)
3. Rhythm and weight
Stravinsky: Le Sacre de Printemps / score (1913)
Anna Clyne: This Midnight Hour / score / recording (2015)
+ Nathan Shields: Commedia (2019) / score / recording
4. Pathos
Raminta Šerkšnytė: De Profundis / recording (1998) - no score available
Mahler: Symphony No. 9, I / score (1909)
5. Continuity
David Hertzberg: Spectre of the Spheres / score / recording (2013)
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 / score (1924)
6. Smaller orchestras
Benjamin Krause: Pathways for Chamber Orchestra / score via Sakai / recording (2015)
Schoenberg: Kammersymphonie Nr. 2, second movement (1939) / score / recording
7. Color and transformation
John Adams: Harmonielehre, III / recording / score (1985)
Wagner: Prelude to Act I of Parsifal (1882) / score
8. Symphonic music of breadth and depth
Einojuani Rautavaara: Symphony No. 8 (1999) / recording / score - on request from library
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8, II (1890)
9. Solo voice and orchestra
Strauss: Vier Letze Lieder (1948) / score
Hans Abrahamsen: let me tell you (2013)/ score
10. Professional practices
The pathway to orchestral composition: university, local, regional, national, professional
Materials workshop
11. Concertos
Augusta Read Thomas: Cello Concerto No. 3 / score / recording (2012)
Jennifer Higdon: Violin Concerto / score on reserve in library / recording (2008)
Gabriela Lena Frank: Walkabout: Concerto for Orchestra (2016) / score / recording (2016)
12. Textural composition
Ashley Fure: Bound to the Bow / score and recording available via composer website (2016)
Ligeti: Atmosphères / score on reserve in library / graphic analysis video (1961)
13. String Orchestra
Arvo Pärt: Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten (1977)
Andrew Norman: The Companion Guide to Rome (2010)
14. No class
Prepare final projects
RESOURCES
General
Boosey & Hawkes: http://www.boosey.com/
G. Shirmer / Music Sales Classical: http://www.musicsalesclassical.com/
League of American Orchestras: https://americanorchestras.org/
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra “Stories”: https://www.bsomusic.org/stories/
Engraving & Notation
Mostly Modern Festival - Music Preparation Guidelines for Composers
Indiana University Style Guide
MOLA Guidelines
COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor
Dr. Scott Ordway (scott.ordway@rutgers.edu)
Schedule
Tuesday & Friday 9:15–10:35am
Location
ARH-201
Office Hour
Tuesday 11 AM–12 PM
Office Location
Graduate Music House Room 200-F
Prerequisite
Orchestration I ( 07:700:341 )
Overview
This is the second semester of a two-part orchestration sequence for composers. The course has two main foci: contemporary approaches to orchestral composition and current professional practices in the field of orchestral music. Each week, we will study canonical and/or contemporary repertoire for orchestra. Students will respond to that repertoire both through written analysis and model composition. In addition, we will consider various practical aspects of composing for the modern symphony orchestra: preparation of physical performance materials, engraving challenges specific to very large ensembles, and the professional field of orchestral composition.
Required Text
Adler, Samuel. The Study of Orchestration (4th ed.)
E-mail
E-mail is the primary communication method for the class. Please do feel free to write with any questions, concerns, or suggestions for future class discussion. I do request, though, that you allow 24 hours for response.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and absences will be excused only in case of documented illness or other emergency. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Grading
Weekly Assignments 70% (14 @ 100 points each)
Final Project 20% (400 points)
Attendance & Preparation 10% (200 points)
Attendance
Maximum of 4 absences. More than 4 absences will result in zero credit for the Attendance portion of the final grade (10%).
Homework
Homework is due in hard copy at the beginning of class. If you are absent, homework may be emailed to me by 9:15 AM on the due date, and it will be considered on time.
Late Homework
If the lateness is due to documented illness or family emergency, the homework will be accepted at the next class meeting. In all other cases, late homework will receive a zero. Students should obtain any assignments, handouts, and other materials for missed classes. Assignments and materials will usually be available on Sakai. If not, check with classmates or with me. It is recommended that you get notes from a classmate.
Email
Students are responsible for any information sent from me by email. Try to check your email at least once every day. In return, I am available by email for any questions or concerns.
File Naming
All material submitted by email must be sent as an attachment (not as a link to Google Drive, Dropbox, Outlook, or other platforms) and in PDF form (not as a Sibelius or Finale notation file). Each file must be labeled in the following format: lastname_firstname_orch_#.pdf, where # is the assignment number. Assignments that do not adhere to this policy will not be accepted.
Accommodation
Students should register with the Office of Disability Services in order to receive reasonable accommodations. Visit https://ods.rutgers.edu/ or call 848-445- 6800 for more information.
Etiquette
No food or drink in class, please (water or coffee is fine).
Integrity
Violations of academic integrity are very serious and subject to sanctions. Some examples related to this class are:
• Copying another student’s homework
• Allowing another student to copy your homework
• Working together on homework
• Cheating on quizzes or exams
The first-time penalty for any of these offenses is an F for both students on the homework, quiz, or exam. A second offense will result in an F for the course. For more on the Rutgers policy, please go to http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu.