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Music /Composition and Orchestration |
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Compared
to the development of other areas in the various disciplines
of music of South Asia, orchestration, as we know it, is a latecomer.
In Pakistan it was, primarily, film music, which necessitated
the use of orchestra and large ensembles. To begin with, only
the violin and the piano were included as necessary accompanying
instruments, followed by the clarinet and some brass instruments.
The idea was to provide "richness" to the otherwise
plaintive background score. The practice that emerged was that
traditional instruments, supported by violins accompanied the
tragic songs and brass and cymbals backed light-hearted or hortative
numbers.
In the West, orchestration is now a most sophisticated and intricate
art. It is also highly individual, depending greatly on the
taste and even the prejudice of the composer or orchestrator.
Students who wish to study orchestration need to acquaint themselves
with the technique of writing for each instrument and listen
carefully to the various combinations.
In our country, the
composer or orchestrator is often called upon to do a "remix",
that is to say re-orchestrate certain works for the purpose
of updating the great melodies of yesteryears. During this course,
all these and other practical possibilities will be discussed.
It is hoped that the dissemination of this course will enable
a student to tackle any task that arises in the field of orchestration.
Special emphasis will be put on the orchestral instruments commonly
used in Pakistan. However, students will be introduced to some
of the other instruments being used today in a modern symphony
orchestra.
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