Orchestration, which octaves?

• Jan 27, 2019 - 03:00

I am redoing my orchestration of the Pathetique Sonata. But unlike last time, I am finding difficulties orchestrating the melody.

Pathetique melody.png

This is the melody I am trying to orchestrate. It should be easy because it is chords. But the hard part of it is deciding on which octaves for which instruments. I mean if I have the oboe an octave up and the flute 2 octaves up, I will reach extremes of range and probably need the piccolo. On the other hand, the flute is quiet in its low register and would be drowned out by just the other woodwinds, not to mention the strings and brass.

Pathetique Orchestration.png

So what should I do? Should I copy the melody not only by pitch but also by octave? Should I go my normal 1 octave between instruments? Should I have the flute be within an octave of the oboe and have the top notes played by the piccolo an octave above the flute?

Here is the mscz file:

Pathetique Sonata.mscz


Comments

Is there some universal rule for this???

I guess... "NO"

If you think in the Maurice Ravel orchestration of Moussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" (a piano piece, originally), you can see that this is absolutely free!!!

Each arrangement man put the melodies/notes/chords into... whatever instruments he wants!!! Not necessarily in the original composer order.

So...

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