Can you name a famous orchestral piece of music that shares its name with the planets?

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Answer:

Perhaps the most famous classical composition to honour astronomy, Holst's monumental masterpiece, The Planets, was written between 1914-1916 – and 15 years before Pluto was discovered.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are orchestra members paid?

Major orchestra salaries range by the orchestra from a little over $100,000 to a little over $150,000. Principals, the ranking member of each orchestra section, can make a great deal more, in some instances more than $400,000. And most major orchestras play for a season lasting only about nine- months a year.

What instruments did Beethoven introduce to the standard orchestra during the fourth movement of his Symphony No 5?

Instrumentation. The symphony is scored for piccolo (fourth movement only), 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B flat and C, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon (fourth movement only), 2 horns in E flat and C, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones (alto, tenor, and bass, fourth movement only), timpani (in G-C) and strings.

What is the role of the string family in the orchestra?

If the string section is the most defining of the orchestra, the violins are generally the most defining members of the string family (don't tell the cellists). The violins carry the melody, particularly the first violins. The second violins will often support the first violins' harmony by playing it in a lower pitch.

How many percussions are in the orchestra?

Put simply, percussion instruments are any instruments you strike, whether with sticks or with your hands. At least 500 instruments are considered percussion instruments – and new ones appear all the time!

Where do the brass family sit in an orchestra?

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How many sections does an orchestra have?

Four

What is collective noun of orchestra?

Symphony orchestra: This collective noun is given to the group that concerns the symphony part of the orchestra.

15 Related Question Answers Found:

What is a philharmonic orchestra vs symphony?

“Philharmonic puts the emphasis on the organizers and the audience, whereas symphony places it on sound and the actual music-making.” Another example close to home: The Philharmonic Society of New York was founded in 1799.

Where are instruments placed in an orchestra?

The first violins are on the conductor's left, then come the second violins, then the violas and then the cellos. The double basses are behind the cellos. Some conductors prefer to have the second violins on their right and the cellos between the first violins and violas (see image of the Dohnanyi Orchestra).

Why do orchestras sound so good?

A great orchestra can produce a rich, full, sumptuous, well blended sound . A great orchestra plays with clear balance of the different sections, strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion . The brass and percussion do not drown out the rest of the orchestra . of course, the conductor is important in this, too .

What instruments are in a Baroque orchestra?

Baroque orchestra instruments usually included:strings - violins, violas, cellos and double basses. woodwind - recorders or wooden flutes, oboes and bassoon. brass - sometimes trumpets and/or horns (without valves)timpani (kettledrums)continuo - harpsichord or organ.

What is a double orchestra?

The term can also refer to the use of a double orchestral body where a work is in concerto grosso form; for example, Martinů's Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani is commonly known by the title "Double Concerto," where the word "double" refers to the two string bodies rather than to the piano ...

What is a xylophones role in an orchestra?

The xylophone is a popular solo instrument as well as being used in symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles and film scores. Xylophones are noted for their bright and penetrating sound.

How much do orchestra musicians earn UK?

In fact, even with salaried, full-time employment, many British orchestral musicians are struggling to pay their bills. On Wednesday, the Musicians' Union (MU) in the U. K. published research showing that orchestral players — including those holding full-time jobs as ensemble musicians — on average earn under $30,000.

Are center orchestra seats good?

Orchestra. People assume that center orchestra seats are the only good ones, but it depends on how deep the orchestra is and how far back you are. ... Also, side orchestra seats aren't necessarily bad. It depends on how far to the side you are, as well as how close to the stage.

Does an orchestra conductor really do anything?

Most importantly a conductor serves as a messenger for the composer. It is their responsibility to understand the music and convey it through gesture so transparently that the musicians in the orchestra understand it perfectly. Those musicians can then transmit a unified vision of the music out to the audience.

Is Symphony the same as orchestra?

A symphony is a large-scale musical composition, usually with three or four movements. An orchestra is a group of musicians with a variety of instruments, which usually includes the violin family.

Which note does an orchestra tune to?

Orchestras always tune to 'A', because every string instrument has an 'A' string. The standard pitch is A=440 Hertz (440 vibrations per second). Some orchestras favor a slightly higher pitch, like A=442 or higher, which some believe results in a brighter sound.

Where do orchestras perform?

An orchestra pit is the area in a theater (usually located in a lowered area in front of the stage) in which musicians perform. Orchestral pits are utilized in forms of theatre that require music (such as opera and ballet) or in cases when incidental music is required.

Is the saxophone often used in a symphony orchestra?

The most commonly given reason for why saxophones are rarely used in orchestral pieces is because they were invented much later than the standard orchestra. This argument doesn't hold up though, because tuba was invented around the same time and is now a staple instrument of the brass section.