Orchestration Strategies in Simon Steen-Andersen’sDouble Up

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the orchestration strategies used in Simon Steen-AndersenDouble Upfor sampler and orchestra. The analysis examines the relation between the 121 samples that make up the work’s electronic soundtrack and the orchestral imitation of these samples. The relation between the concept of the piece and its orchestration is summed up in six strategies: scoring the audio recordings, supplements, additive orchestration, chamber music orchestration, anonymization, and pre-orchestration. These strategies are presented as a qualification of the word “satisfactory” inGrove Music Online’s definition of orchestration as the art of combining instruments “to form a satisfactory blend and balance.” Furthermore,Double Up’s contribution to the use of sampling in orchestral music is evaluated.