The State of the Art of Orchestration

A Critical Review of Treatises and Contemporary Challenges

Abstract

This article examines the state of the art of orchestration based on a literature review that spans from historical treatises to recent publications. The investigation highlights the absence of a systematized theory and the prevalence of subjective descriptions of timbre, associated with a heterogeneous and unstandardized vocabulary. It also observes the scarcity of references to contemporary instrumental techniques, which creates a gap between the most recent treatises and the consolidated repertoire of Western concert music from the second half of the twentieth century onwards. We argue that recent research in sound perception, extended techniques, and compositional practices may contribute to the development of more consistent approaches, better aligned with current musical demands, thus outlining a promising field for future investigations.