What is the best orchestra in America?

Answer:

An Inside Look at Five of America's Best OrchestrasChicago Symphony Orchestra. Ranked at number five on the list, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the highest ranked American orchestra on the list. ... Cleveland Orchestra. ... Los Angeles Philharmonic. ... Boston Symphony Orchestra. ... New York Philharmonic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the woodwind family sit in the orchestra?

The woodwind family sits together in the middle of the orchestra, behind the violins and violas. The name “woodwind” originated because the instruments were once made of wood and are played using wind (by blowing).

What does a conductor do Orchestra?

The primary responsibilities of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble, and to control the interpretation and pacing of the music.

What era was the orchestra invented?

The first semblance of a modern orchestra came in the early 17th century when the Italian opera composer Claudio Monteverdi formally assigned specific instruments to perform his music.

Why are guitars not in orchestras?

Anyway, the guitar section would hardly blend into the orchestra. ... That's because guitars have strong attack. The sound of the guitar section would be too sharp to blend it with the other sections. That's why you can only see a solo guitar playing in some orchestral pieces.

What string instrument has the least number of players in the orchestra?

The lowest string instrument in the world plays some very low, very mellow Mozart, thanks to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra has just become the only ensemble in the world to employ an octobass in its ensemble.

What is the biggest difference between a concert band and an orchestra?

Q: What is the difference between an orchestra and a concert band? A: The most obvious difference between the ensembles is the instruments that call the ensemble home. Violins, violas, cellos and basses make up the majority of an orchestra, while a concert band is made up of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

What does the conductor do in an orchestra?

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.

17 Related Question Answers Found:

What are the 3 types of orchestra?

Three distinct types of orchestra--symphony, chamber and string--expose audiences around the world to new cultural and musical experiences each year.

Why do the string instruments sit at the front of the orchestra?

Also, the string section usually has the most notes and highest percentage of melody, so it would make sense to put them in front, where they are visible–both to the audience and to each other–and have the best chance of being heard. ... Absil, so for the most precise ensemble playing, the strings need to be in the front.

What is the function of string instruments in an 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.

When was the modern orchestra developed?

The word derives from the ancient Greek part of a stage where instruments and the chorus combined music and drama to create theater. The first semblance of a modern orchestra came in the early 17th century when the Italian opera composer Claudio Monteverdi formally assigned specific instruments to perform his music.

Are recorders used in orchestras?

In time, the recorder was replaced in the orchestra by woodwind instruments that were newer or being enhanced, such as the oboe and flute. Our contemporary interest in historically informed performance has returned the recorder to the concert stage.

Which family consists of the largest number of players in an orchestra?

The string family contains the largest number of musicians in an orchestra. Because the sound that just one string instrument makes is much quieter than, for example, the sound that one brass instrument makes, more strings are needed to play their parts and be heard with the other instrument families.

What is the difference between an orchestra and a philharmonic?

An orchestra is a group of musicians with a variety of instruments, which usually includes the violin family. ... And philharmonic just means “music-loving” and is often used to differentiate between two orchestras in the same city (e.g. the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra).

What are the differences between a concert band and a symphony orchestra?

Q: What is the difference between an orchestra and a concert band? A: The most obvious difference between the ensembles is the instruments that call the ensemble home. Violins, violas, cellos and basses make up the majority of an orchestra, while a concert band is made up of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

How hard is it to win an orchestra job?

Trying to win an orchestra job is extremely competitive as conservatories churn out exceptional musicians, year after year. And the audition isn't the end. There will be about two weeks of “tryout,” followed by a year or more of probation before a musician is finally accepted as a member of the orchestra.

How big is a large orchestra?

A smaller-sized orchestra (forty to fifty musicians or fewer) is called a chamber orchestra. A full-size orchestra (eighty to one hundred musicians or more) may be called a symphony orchestra.

Where are orchestras played?

Today orchestras can usually be heard in concert halls. They also play in opera houses for opera and ballet, or in a large stadium for huge open-air concerts.