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

by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

A. Close part-writing.

[[Listen]]

B. Widely-divided part-writing.

[[Listen]]

Note. In widely-spaced harmony only the soprano and alto parts may be doubled in octaves. Duplicating the tenor part is to be avoided, as close writing is thereby produced, and doubling the bass part creates an effect of heaviness. The bass part should never mix with the others:

Bad:
	[[Listen]]

On account of the distance between the bass and the three other parts, only partial duplication is possible.

Good:
	[[Listen]]