What is the largest kind of orchestra?

Answer:

The world has its largest orchestra: here's the record-breaking symphonic cacophony from the Commerzbank Arena stadium in Frankfurt. In July 2016, 7,548 musicians assembled in a Frankfurt sports stadium to smash the world record for the largest musical ensemble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did orchestras used to be all men?

Entire sections of the orchestra remained male because their instruments were considered unladylike. The cello was deemed indecorous because it had to be placed between a player's legs. Flutes and horns were thought to make a woman's face look funny; percussion instruments were viewed as exclusively male.

What instruments are not part of an orchestra?

8 Instruments Rarely Used In OrchestraHarp – Although the harp is one of the most common instruments in the history of music, it is not always used in most classical compositions. ... Glass Armonica – ... Saxophone – ... Wagner Tuba – ... Alto Flute – ... Sarrusophone – ... Theremin – ... Organ –

What is the stick used by an orchestra conductor called?

Baton

How does conducting an orchestra work?

Conductors act as guides to the orchestras or choirs they conduct. They choose the works to be performed and study their scores, to which they may make certain adjustments (such as in tempo, articulation, phrasing, repetitions of sections), work out their interpretation, and relay their vision to the performers.

What does the orchestra perform?

Orchestras play a wide range of repertoire, including symphonies, opera and ballet overtures, concertos for solo instruments, and as pit ensembles for operas, ballets, and some types of musical theatre (e.g., Gilbert and Sullivan operettas).

What qualifications do you need to play in an orchestra?

The path to obtaining a job in an orchestra is somewhat straightforward. First, you nearly always have to attend a great music school, at least at the Master's degree level. ... Secondly, study with a teacher who either has experience playing in an orchestra OR has had students get placed in an orchestra.

15 Related Question Answers Found:

Why do symphony orchestras tune to an a played by the oboe?

The penetrating sound of the oboe stands out from the orchestra, so it's easy for all the musicians to hear. Its pitch is also steadier than strings, so it's a more reliable tuning source. ... “Therefore the other instruments in a performance must be made to match, and that is why the oboe is the standard for tuning.”

What is Trans Siberian Orchestra's most famous song?

Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Best SongsChristmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... Wizards in Winter Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... Carol of the Bells Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... A Mad Russian's Christmas Trans Siberian Orchestra. ... Christmas Canon Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... Christmas Eve in Sarajevo Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Why is there no saxophone in the orchestra?

Being relatively easy for beginner musicians, the saxophone is popular for both learning and listening. However, we rarely see it in orchestra concerts. Why? Many believe that the saxophone's timbre is hard to blend, out-of-tune, and simply too loud.

Do orchestras have tenor saxophones?

While there are many varieties of saxophone, such as the soprano and bass, it is the tenor and the alto that are the most widely used. These two types of saxophone play a similar role in music, having been used by professional bands and orchestras alike.

Is Ride of the Valkyries an orchestra?

Even if you have never seen one of the operas by Richard Wagner (1813-1883), you will know this brilliant composition. ... “Ride of the Valkyries” is from the second opera in Wagner's Ring Cycle, Die Walküre or The Valkyries, and is the orchestral introduction to the third act.

How important is the double bass in the orchestra?

The double bass provides a unique sound in classical music. The instrument can play much lower than anyone can sing, and it provides the foundation for the orchestra's sound. ... In an orchestra, basses are almost always way over on the right side of the stage.

How was Duke Ellington's orchestra innovative?

The Duke's jazz was innovative with arrangements that featured his piano playing against a rich, deep sound played by the brilliant musicians that he always had in his orchestra. Over five hundred of the best jazz musicians in the world passed through his ranks; rarely was anyone fired because he hired the best.

Is it better to sit in the balcony or orchestra?

The word "balcony" has a certain nose-bleed connotation, and ticket buyers are less spooked by the word "mezzanine." Front mezzanine seats are usually as good as orchestra seats, sometimes better, depending on the show. For a show with a visual sweep or intricate choreography, you might be better off in the mezzanine.

Why do oboes tune the orchestra?

The penetrating sound of the oboe stands out from the orchestra, so it's easy for all the musicians to hear. Its pitch is also steadier than strings, so it's a more reliable tuning source. ... “Therefore the other instruments in a performance must be made to match, and that is why the oboe is the standard for tuning.”