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

by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

with florid embellishment.

[No. 13.] The Golden Cockerel 170.—Vns I + II muted.

b) Violins + Violas.—The combination of violins and violas presents no special characteristics, as in the preceding case. The violins remain predominant, and the resonance is rich and full.

Examples:

[No. 14.] Sadko 208.—Vns I + II + Violas (G string). Quiet cantabile melody pp, in unison with the altos and tenors of the chorus.

The Golden Cockerel 142.—Same combination.

c) Violas + 'Cellos.—Produces a rich full resonance, the 'cello quality predominating.

Examples:

[No. 15.] Snegourotchka 5.—Apparition of Spring. Violas + 'Cellos + Eng. horn. The same melody, mezzo-forte cantabile as in [Ex. 9]; but in a brighter key, a third higher, its resonance is more brilliant and tense. The addition of the Eng. horn makes no essential difference to the compound tone; the 'cellos stand out above the rest.

[No. 16.] The Golden Cockerel 71. Violas + 'Cellos muted.