Functional orchestration: principles, recent findings, prospects

Fabien Lévy, composer, professor for composition at the University of Music and Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig 

October 24, 2024, 12:00-14:00 (EDT), 18:00-20:00 (CET)

Zoom: Functional_orchestration_Zoom.url

An online lecture and discussion organized by the ACTOR Timbre and Orchestration Analysis Workgroup

Functional orchestration is an approach to orchestration (orchestration practice as well as music theory and orchestration analysis) that attempts to link orchestration techniques with perceptual effects by considering their musical and perceptual goals (functions). Although its origins date back to the 90s (Marc-André Dalbavie at the CNSMDP), the discipline has considerably evolved over the last ten years, thanks to exchanges between various ACTOR experts.

In this short session, I will take a quick look at the general principles underlying this approach, as well as recent findings (e.g. conceptualization and categorization of various known techniques such as doubling, coupling, texturing, “tree-logic,“ “rhizomatic“ orchestration, sound mastering techniques, etc.) and discuss still open research questions and possible future developments with other ACTOR researchers.