What's the difference between composer and orchestrator?

[GreatWhiteWay]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 11:25am

One thing that has always confused me about the TONY awards is the different awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations.

I've always assumed that orchestrations meant the difference between the vocal notes of a song, and the specific part that each member of the orchestra has to play when accompanying the singer.

Does the composer of the score not write the instrumental parts?

I know Billy Joel won the TONY for Best Orchestrations rather than for Best Score, so I'm basically wondering what the difference is between composer and orchestrator.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 11:33am

i thought the composer comes up with the actual songs and the notes played and all, and the orchestrator comes up with what instruments will play what parts and in what key, and stuff....

not too sure, though, dont quote me on that

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 11:34am

Huge difference.

Composer writes the music. Orchestrator has to put together all the instruments for the score, and they do what they are called, they write the orchestrations.

[ALWrules]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 11:35am

Ok, so when a composer writes a score he writes the melodies and most of the basic harmonies and counter-melodies ususally on a piano score. Often he has some idea of what instruments he wants to play what, but doesn't have it figured out in full (like Sondheim knew he wanted predominantly strings and woodwinds to dominate Nigh t Music's orchestra. The orchestrator gets the completed score and goes through it, assigning instruments different parts, adding in little bits himself to the music, and often writing scene change stuff if it is required. So basically the composer writes the music, but the orchestrator determines who plays what part of the whole sum of the music.
I reccomend the Search function for this topic, as I believe it has been discussed before.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 11:52am

Haven't seen it in a while though. Although I think the person may have been better off using a dictionary. It does amount to some interesting conversation though.

The line between composer and orchestrator can sometimes be a little blurred since there are lots of cases where the orchestrator adds a significant amount to the music. But the composer is ultimately responsible for the meat, structure, bones, etc. of the score. The orchestrator is responsible for tricking it out. Sometimes the composer and orchestrator work together extensively. Sometimes they don't. It all depends on the composer in question. Some composers did their own orchestrations, but it has become rare since it is a lot of trouble to not only compose a score but then orchestrate it.

Does anybody know if JRB orchestrated Parade, or if it was somebody else? I know he writes orchestrations, but both L5Y and Songs for a New World (I think, I can't remember) have small orchestras.

I think the real strengths of a composer come to light when you take away the blaring trumpet or violin and all you have to listen to is the music, since sometimes it is the orchestrator's job to cover up glaring deficiencies.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 11:59am

Don Sebesky orchestrated Parade. JRB initially thought about doing it himself (he's one of the few composers who have the training to do his own), but he knew that Sebesky would be able to bring a certain sound to the score that he couldn't.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 12:01pm

Playing a score solely on the piano is a true test of the brilliance of it

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 12:10pm

Ah, okay. While I'm sure he has the ability to write poli instrument orchestrations, I can see why he would choose not to do it. I'm anxious to hear something from him he orchestrates though.

I would say that playing a score solely on the piano offers a good study of the way the score is put together, so for an academic that is a pretty true statement. Just listening to it being played on the piano can be off putting though, in my opinion. Often piano scores are different from what you're used to hearing on a CD. Especially in consideration for composers who work closely with their orchestrators or do it themselves or aquire a particularly clever orchestrator, brilliant points must go to the orchestrations too.

It's so hard because you never really know. There have been composers who didn't even do their own notation, don't play the piano well, etc... I read the other day (I think it may have been on here, but I can't remember) that Lionel Bart may or may not have written Oliver, and if he did he didn't do much of the writing. Something about singing into a tape recorder. I think we live in an age nowadays where at the very least you're responsible for most of the work of your own music, unless you're a pop star, and since Broadway isn't pop anymore you have to work harder!

Another curious question since I'm too lazy to google it: Did Richard Rodgers write his Carousel Waltz in full? Plus orchestrations and everything?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 12:18pm

Listen to the OBC of Sweeney then listen to the revival cast. You will understand pretty quickly what an orchestrator's power can do to a score. Same "songs" totally different feeling.