Grand traité d’instrumentation et d’orchestration modernes, abbreviated in
English as the
Treatise on Instrumentation (sometimes
Treatise on Orchestration) is a technical study of
Western musical instruments, written by
Hector Berlioz. It was first published in 1844 after being serialised in many parts prior to this date, and had a chapter added by Berlioz on
conducting in 1855. In 1904
Richard Strauss was asked to update the text to include some modern instruments and included musical examples from Wagner, and in 1905 the updated
Treatise with a new preface by Strauss was published in German. The 1905 edition was translated into English in 1948. The book discusses the various technical aspects of instruments, such as chromatic range, tone quality, and limitations. An explanation of the role of particular instruments within the
orchestra is also provided. The book also provides orchestral excerpts from
classical scores to give examples of techniques discussed. These examples are sometimes of works by Berlioz himself, while
Mozart,
Wagner,
Beethoven, and
Gluck are also frequently cited.