Wells Music Publishers 

A comprehensive handy reference which has been specially compiled to provide the necessary information to support the study of music history, score reading and analysis at advanced level. The book serves to define and explain some of the most commonly used musical forms and terms from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Authentic musical extracts illustrate the ideas and concepts, while cross references make the reading and learning process a pro-active one.

Specifically compiled for diploma students, this book contains selected piano works that aim to help them acquire the skills needed to meet the basic requirements of Quick Study and to demonstrate the musicianship expected of a convincing performance. Informative study points are provided as a useful guide which may be referred to prior or after having played the pieces. Teachers and students will find the students musically interesting and technically adequate for the various levels, being chosen to present the various levels of difficulty.

The focus begins with understanding how composers orchestrate, their choice of instruments and combinations. A most comprehensive book for the study of melodic writing, orchestration, score reading and analysis. All instruments are characteristically presented on musical scores and orchestral extracts.
Organised in 2 parts, Part I presents important information about each instrument from the different orhestral grups. Each instrumental range, the mechanism, timbre, idiomatic features are discussed, accompanied with musical extracts
Part II, Understanding Orchestration, illustrates how sounds are combined and scores are laid. Various instrumental combinations are presented, with specific references to ensemble and orchestral scores from the different musical eras.