orchestra
OR-ke-struh
[ English , from the Greek meaning dancing area ]
Definition
A group of musicians who perform on a variety of instruments. Within Western art, the term is most commonly applied to the symphony orchestra.
Modern Symphony Orchestra Instrumentation
| 18- 1st violins 14 - 2nd violins 12 - violas 12 - cellos 8 - double basses |
4 - flutes 3 - oboes 1 - English horn 3 - clarinets 1 - bass clarinet 3 - bassoons 1 - contrabassoon |
5 - horns 4 - trumpets 3 - trombones 1 - tuba |
2 - timpani 3 - untuned percussion 1 - tuned percussion 2 - harp |
The actual instrumentation of the symphony orchestra is dictated by the composer's indications in the score. In fact, on any given performance of a symphony orchestra, the instrumentation may change on every composition performed. The instrumentation shown above is the result of dramatic changes throughout the centuries. There has been a great expansion from the Baroque orchestra to the modern symphony orchestra.
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Last Updated: 2016-06-06 00:48:56