What is the origin of orchestra?

Answer:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do musicians in orchestras get 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 low brass instrument was added to the orchestra in the Romantic period?

The contrabassoon gained importance as the most effective wind double bass and the lowest instrument of the orchestra. Little needs to be added about the trumpet and horn.

What is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States?

The New York Philharmonic

How many strings are in a classical orchestra?

String orchestras can be of chamber orchestra size ranging from between 12 (4 first violins, 3 second violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos and 1 bass = 12) and 21 musicians (6 first violins, 5 second violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos and 2 double basses= 21) sometimes performing without a conductor.

Are instruments that are plucked or bowed and are often referred to as the backbone of the orchestra?

String Bass It is often played while standing up or sitting on a tall stool. A lot of the music for string bass requires the rhythmic plucking of the strings, but a bow is used too. The string bass is the backbone of the orchestra, helping to keep everyone playing together.

Why is the string family sat 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.

19 Related Question Answers Found:

What instruments are in middle school orchestra?

Important information is provided (Beginning Instruments) for students who play or wish to play band instruments - flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, F horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion - or orchestral instruments - violin ...

What consists of an orchestra?

An orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string (violin, viola, cello, and double bass), brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.

Is a band and an orchestra the same thing?

A “band” includes brass, percussion, and woodwinds along with flutes, clarinets, and trumpets. An “orchestra” is composed of different string instruments like violins, basses, and violas.

How good do you have to be to play in a professional orchestra?

It's so hard to find work as a violinist, that usually the less talented people choose the viola, and as viola players they manage to find work playing or teaching the viola. Well, to be in a symphony orchestra, you have to be very good indeed, but to be a soloist, you really have to be absolutely brilliant.

Why are euphoniums not in orchestras?

There are many reasons. 1: The saxophone is a fairly new instrument. It was created in 1840, which was after most classical orchestra pieces had already been composed. So, the saxophone has no written part in many classical orchestra pieces.

How much does Trans-Siberian Orchestra make a year?

1-30, grossing $46.8 million and selling 706,000 tickets according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. The $66.8 million haul makes 2019 a record year for Trans-Siberian Orchestra, marking the biggest gross of its 20-year touring career.

What are the 5 orchestral string instruments?

Orchestras Typically Boast Five Different Types of String InstrumentsViolins are the sopranos. There's no doubt that the soprano is "the star" of the orchestra. ... Violas are the altos. ... Cellos form the tenor section. ... The Double Bass lives up to its name. ... The Harp is a celestial addition.

What are community orchestras?

Community orchestras—ensembles of musicians who are not paid to play—are an important part of this community music-making ecosystem in the U. S. These are small-budget organizations with free or low-cost performances, whose members come from different professions, educational backgrounds, ages, and political and ...

What does orchestrated mean in law?

Legal Dictionary, Thesaurus (orchestration) (n.) The arrangement of music for an orchestra; orchestral treatment of a composition; -- called also instrumentation. Related Terms: arrangement, chest, instrumentation, orchestra, orchestral, rangement, treatment.

What are the different kinds of orchestra?

The membership of the three different kinds of orchestras are the same: strings, winds, percussion. On any given night, however, depending on the demands of the music, even a symphony orchestra might appear in a smaller form.

What is a quintet in orchestra?

A string quintet is a musical composition for five string players. As an extension to the string quartet (two violins, a viola, and a cello), a string quintet includes a fifth string instrument, usually a second viola (a so-called "viola quintet") or a second cello (a "cello quintet"), or occasionally a double bass.

How many people are in a Chinese orchestra?

The China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO) (Chinese: 中国 中央 民族 乐团 or 中央 民族 乐团; also called China National Orchestra) is a 110-piece orchestra of traditional Chinese musical instruments with an accompanying folk choir.

How much do orchestral musicians earn?

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.