Belkin has a series of e-books on composition, which are available for free download on the internet, covering Form, Harmony, and Counterpoint. This particular book isn’t really a manual, nor is it essentially systematic. Rather, it’s a monograph in the old style, a collection of observations about a particular topic, that stretches out over 65 pages. What I really appreciate about Belkin is his approach to orchestration as a series of understandings about character and craft. It’s definitely worth a read, though as part of a reading list of many perspectives and approaches. Click through for a free download.
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