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Instruments of the Orchestra

Fellow classical music buffs, can any of you recommend a CD (or couple of CDs) that provide a good introduction to the instruments of the orchestra? What I have in mind would be a well-recorded demonstration of each instrument, from its highest to its lowest pitch, and possibly a brief musical example. Doesn't need to be long or elaborate. Also, here's a related question: can any of you recommend a musical reference book that gives the full frequency range of the fundamental tones of each instrument of the orchestra? Thanks.
texasdave

Showing 2 responses by rushton

rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Dave, I assume you're familiar with the 7-CD Naxos "Instruments of the Orchestra" set:
http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/NaxosCat/Naxos_Cat.asp?item_code=8.558040-46
I don't know anything about it other than what I've stumbled across on the Naxos web site, but it looks like it might contain some of what you're looking for.
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rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Hi Aroc, I'm an example of a classical music lover and audiophile who has no formal musical training whatever (totally self-educated through listening and reading), has never learned to play an instrument let alone plya in a group, and cannot read a musical score. Yet I have a passion for classical music of all genre, an extensive classical music collection and attend live classical music concerts regularly.

Also, I enjoy introducing others to classical music and the sounds of different instruments that make up the range and variety found in classical music. I do this with various music selections, have used Howard Hanson's Mercury LPs "The Composer and his orchestra," Britten's "Young Person's Guide..." but a simple resource like the one Texasdave has found has eluded me.
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