Whats the difference between an orchestra and a symphony?

A symphony is an extended, ambitious composition typically lasting between 20 and 45 minutes, exploiting the expanded range of tone color and dynamics of the classical orchestra. A classical symphony usually consists of four movements which evoke a wide range of emotions through contrasts of tempo and mood.

You may be surprised that the saxophone is not here. This is the one instrument that is always found in bands and wind ensembles, but only very rarely plays in the orchestra. Although flutes may be made of wood, the orchestral flute is usually made of metal. It also does not have a reed.

Every orchestra is different, but here are some instruments you're likely to see:String family. Violin. Viola [vee-OH-lah] Cello (violoncello) [CHEL-low] ... Woodwind family. Flute, Piccolo. Oboe, English horn. Clarinet, Bass clarinet. ... Brass family. Trumpet. Horn (French horn) ... Keyboards and Harp. Celesta [cheh-LESS-tah] Piano.

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.

It was founded in 1900 under the direction of Fritz Sheel, who served until 1907. Subsequent conductors were Carl Pohlig (1907–12), Leopold Stokowski (1912–36), Eugene Ormandy (1936–80; director laureate until 1985), Riccardo Muti (1980–92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993–2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003–08).

Balance, Blend, and Instrumentation As an orchestrator, finding balance and blend is the most important part of the job. After all, you're aiming for rich orchestral color. You don't want instruments competing against each other, or drowning out the vocal line in a muddy wash of sound.

17th century

Symphony

There are anywhere from 2 to 8 French horns in an orchestra, and they play both melody and harmony as well as rhythm.

The Sections of the Orchestra. The typical orchestra is divided into four groups of instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

When you press down on the valves, they open and close different parts of the pipe. You change the pitch and sound by pressing different valves and buzzing your lips harder or softer. The brass family members that are most commonly used in the orchestra include the trumpet, French horn, trombone, and the tuba.

The Bayreuth Festspielhaus or Bayreuth Festival Theatre (German: Bayreuther Festspielhaus, pronounced [baɪˈʁɔʏtɐ ˈfɛstʃpiːlˌhaʊs]) is an opera house north of Bayreuth, Germany, built by the 19th-century German composer Richard Wagner and dedicated solely to the performance of his stage works.

A Symphony Orchestra is defined as a large ensemble composed of wind, string, brass and percussion instruments and organized to perform classical music. Wind instruments include flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoons. String instruments include harp, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

Sir Thomas Beecham

Chamber orchestra

The Classical orchestra came to consist of strings (first and second violins, violas, violoncellos, and double basses), two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two or four horns, two trumpets, and two timpani.

The main floor of the theater is called the Orchestra. This can get confusing if you're going to an orchestra concert and your seat is in the Orchestra. That doesn't mean that you'll be seated onstage with an instrument in your hands! In some venues this area is called the Stalls.