Learn About the Orchestra
What is an orchestra?
An orchestra is an instrumental ensemble that can vary in size and instrumentation. There are Western and non-Western orchestras, but we typically refer to the orchestra in the Western sense. The term “Orchestra” comes from the Greek word “orchēstra.” It was a term for the part of the theater where dancers and instrumentalists performed.
Meet the Sections of the Orchestra
Strings
The string section has always been a dominant section of the orchestra. During the late 18th and 19th centuries, the first violinist or concertmaster led the orchestra. As orchestras grew larger and music became more complex, the role of the conductor became increasingly important.
Brass
The brass section of an orchestra developed over time as innovations and new instruments were created. Cornets, sackbuts, and trumpets were the first brass instruments to be included in the orchestra.
Woodwinds
The recorder was the first common woodwind in the orchestra. Eventually, the clarinet, bassoon, oboe, flute, and piccolo became standard.
Percussion
Percussion was not always part of the orchestra. Percussion became more important as the need for grand gestures and complex rhythms in music grew. The timpani is a common orchestral percussion instrument. Now, many different percussion instruments can be found in the orchestra from all around the world.
Where Do Orchestra Instruments Sit?
Orchestra seating is carefully arranged so musicians can hear one another and the conductor can communicate with every section. The brass section is very loud, so it usually sits toward the back of the orchestra so the other instruments can still be heard.
Travel Through Orchestra History with Winnie
How Has the Orchestra Changed Over Time?
Consorts
Orchestras have changed a lot over time. Before the orchestra was considered an “orchestra,” there were consorts. A consort was an instrumental ensemble popular in the 16th and 17th centuries in the Renaissance era. A “broken consort” consisted of mixed instruments, and a “whole consort” included only one kind of instrument.
Monteverdi and the Early Orchestra
Claudio Monteverdi’s opera L’Orfeo was first performed in 1607 in Mantua, Italy. Its large and varied instrumental ensemble gives us an important early example of the development of the orchestra. The instruments consisted of (strings) violins, violas, bass violins, harpsichords, lutes or theorbos, double harps, bass viola de gamba, small pipe organs, a regal, (woodwinds) recorders, and (brass) cornets, sackbuts, and trumpets. Some of the instruments Monteverdi used were the ancestors of modern instruments or are no longer commonly used today.
Johann Stamitz (1717-1757)
Johann Stamitz was a Bohemian composer and violinist who had a major influence on the orchestra, orchestral music forms, and compositional techniques. Stamitz’s innovations even influenced composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn.
Stamitz founded the Mannheim School and turned the Mannheim court orchestra into one of the most renowned ensembles of that time.
How Did Johann Stamitz Influence the Orchestra?
- Sections: Stamitz’s symphonies were scored for eight parts in sections: four strings, two oboes, and two horns.
- Horn and Woodwinds: Stamitz was one of the first composers to write independent lines for horns and oboes in the orchestra.
- Music Form: Stamitz was the first composer to consistently compose a four-movement symphony and also helped develop the Sonata form.
- Compositional Techniques: Stamitz used extended crescendos, simple tutti chord textures, and slow harmonic rhythm in his compositions.
- Clarinet: Johann Stamitz wrote an important early concerto for B-flat clarinet, helping establish the instrument as an important part of Classical-era orchestral music.
The Classical Orchestra
During the Classical era, timpani, brass, and woodwinds became more common in the orchestra. The orchestra grew in size to 30-45 musicians. Instruments included 10-12 first violins, 8-10 second violins, 6-8 violas, 5-8 cellos, 3-6 double basses, and a pair of oboes, flutes, clarinets, bassoons, trumpets, French horns, and timpani.
The Romantic Orchestra and Today
During the Romantic era, composer Hector Berlioz used even larger orchestras and instruments like the tuba, English horn, and Eb clarinet. Standard Romantic era orchestras had between 80 and 100 players. Today, orchestras incorporate many different percussion instruments and can even include electronic instruments.
The orchestra moved away from the improvisational and casual court to the theater, where more attention was paid to the written work of composers and to what expressions were on the page. Also, audiences stopped dancing and became passive listeners.
Winnie Discovers How an Orchestra Works Together
The leader of the orchestra, called the conductor, helps the orchestra stay together. It is important for the many instruments to blend their sound in a balanced way in the music. Musicians are trained to let the melody line be louder than the rest of the orchestra. It’s these subtle nuances in the music that make listening to an orchestra so incredible.
Blending Activity
Take turns singing a simple tune like “Happy Birthday” while everyone else sings “la, la, la” on a single note. Can you adjust the volume so the melody is louder?
What Does the Conductor Do?
A conductor leads the orchestra to keep it in time. A conductor also guides instrumentalists in interpreting dynamics, tempo changes, and other musical articulations. Conductors are very important leaders of the orchestra. A conductor helps a large orchestra play together and make coordinated musical choices. Orchestras have to work together as one team.
During the Baroque and Classical eras, the conductor would often lead the orchestra from a harpsichord or organ located in the center. In the Romantic era, orchestras had grown too large, and the conductor began to stand in front. His body was turned towards the audience, unlike today when the conductor faces the orchestra.
The Baton
The baton is used to show the beat from a distance. Conductors use their facial expressions and the movement of the baton or hand gestures to show the emotion and dynamics of the music.
The Composer as Conductor
At the beginning of the 18th century, the first violinist or concertmaster led the orchestra. However, conductors still sometimes conducted. During the Baroque era, composers typically were the conductors of their own music. Today, conductors are known specifically for conducting, although composers can still conduct their own music if they want to.
Activity
Help Winnie Rat conduct! Try conducting these patterns.
What About the Harp?
Claudio Monteverdi used a harp in his opera L’Orfeo. The harp didn’t play a huge role and was typically located in the theater pit. Classical composers didn’t use the harp very often either. This is because, up until 1810, the harp could not easily change keys. But in 1810, Sebastien Erard made a double action pedal mechanism that allowed the harpist to easily change keys. Today, the harp is a standard instrument in a large orchestra.
Test Your Orchestra Knowledge
Play Winnie’s Orchestra Game
Help Winnie Rat organize the orchestra.
Explore Orchestra Instruments
Read the Story
“Winnie Rat and the Big Orchestra”
Winnie Rat can hardly wait for his class field trip to hear a live orchestra. But when he accidentally gets separated from his classmates, his unexpected adventure becomes an incredible journey through the orchestra. Along the way, Winnie meets musicians, explores the string, woodwind, brass, and percussion families, and learns what makes each instrument unique. By the end of his adventure, Winnie discovers the instrument that is just right for him.
Meet Winnie’s Friends
