Orchestra(from Greek orchestra) - a large group of instrumental musicians. Unlike chamber ensembles, in an orchestra some of its musicians form groups that play in unison, that is, they play the same parts.
The very idea of simultaneous music playing by a group of instrumental performers goes back to ancient times: back in Ancient Egypt small groups of musicians played together at various holidays and funerals.
The word “orchestra” (“orchestra”) comes from the name of the round platform in front of the stage in the ancient Greek theater, which housed the ancient Greek choir, a participant in any tragedy or comedy. During the Renaissance and beyond XVII century the orchestra transformed into orchestra pit and, accordingly, gave the name to the group of musicians housed in it.
There are many different types of orchestra: military orchestra consisting of brass and woodwind instruments, orchestras folk instruments, string orchestras. The largest in composition and richest in its capabilities is the symphony orchestra.
Symphoniccalled an orchestra composed of several heterogeneous groups of instruments - families of strings, winds and percussion. The principle of such unification developed in Europe in XVIII century. Initially, the symphony orchestra included groups bowed instruments, wood and brass instruments, to which were attached a few percussion musical instruments. Subsequently, the composition of each of these groups expanded and diversified. Currently, among a number of varieties of symphony orchestras, it is customary to distinguish between a small and a large symphony orchestra. A small symphony orchestra is an orchestra of predominantly classical composition (playing music of the late 18th - early 19th centuries, or modern stylizations). It consists of 2 flutes (rarely a small flute), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 (rarely 4) horns, sometimes 2 trumpets and timpani, a string group of no more than 20 instruments (5 first and 4 second violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos, 2 double basses). The Big Symphony Orchestra (BSO) includes obligatory trombones in the brass group and can have any composition. Often wooden instruments (flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons) reach up to 5 instruments of each family (sometimes there are more clarinets) and include varieties (small and alto flutes, Cupid oboe and English oboe, small, alto and bass clarinets, contrabassoon). Copper group may include up to 8 horns (including special Wagner tubas), 5 trumpets (including snare, alto, bass), 3-5 trombones (tenor and tenorbass) and tuba. Saxophones are used very often (in a jazz orchestra, all 4 types). The string group reaches 60 or more instruments. There are numerous percussion instruments (although timpani, bells, small and large drums, triangle, cymbals and the Indian tom-tom form their backbone), the harp, piano, and harpsichord are often used.
To illustrate the sound of the orchestra, I will use the recording of the final concert of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. The concert took place in 2011 in the Australian city of Sydney. It was watched live on television by millions of people around the world. The YouTube Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to fostering a love of music and showcasing the vast creative diversity of humanity.
The concert program included well-known and little-known works by famous and little-known composers.
Here is his program:
Hector Berlioz - Roman Carnival - Overture, Op. 9 (featuring Android Jones - digital artist)
Meet Maria Chiossi - Harp
Percy Grainger - Arrival on a Platform Humlet from in a Nutshell - Suite
Johan Sebastian Bach - Toccata in F major for organ (featuring Cameron Carpenter)
Meet Paulo Calligopoulos - Electric Guitar and violin
Alberto Ginastera - Danza del trigo (Wheat Dance) and Danza final (Malambo) from the ballet Estancia (conducted by Ilyich Rivas)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - "Caro" bell"idol mio" - Canon in three voices, K562 (featuring the Sydney Children's Choir and soprano Renee Fleming via video)
Meet Xiomara Mass - Oboe
Benjamin Britten - The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34
William Barton - Kalkadunga (featuring William Barton - Didgeridoo)
Timothy Constable - Suna
Meet Roman Riedel - Trombone
Richard Strauss - Fanfare for the Vienna Philharmonic (featuring Sarah Willis, Horn, Berlin Philharmoniker and conducted by Edwin Outwater)
*PREMIERE* Mason Bates - Mothership (specially composed for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011)
Meet Su Chang - Guzheng
Felix Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 (Finale) (featuring Stefan Jackiw and conducted by Ilyich Rivas)
Meet Ozgur Baskin - Violin
Colin Jacobsen and Siamak Aghaei - Ascending Bird - Suite for string orchestra (featuring Colin Jacobsen, violin, and Richard Tognetti, violin, and Kseniya Simonova - sand artist)
Meet Stepan Grytsay - Violin
Igor Stravinsky - The Firebird (Infernal Dance - Berceuse - Finale)
*ENCORE* Franz Schubert - Rosamunde (featuring Eugene Izotov - oboe, and Andrew Mariner - clarinet)
History of the symphony orchestra
The symphony orchestra has been formed over the centuries. Its development for a long time took place in the bowels of opera and church ensembles. Such groups in XV - XVII centuries were small and heterogeneous. They included lutes, viols, flutes and oboes, trombones, harps, and drums. Gradually, bowed string instruments gained a dominant position. Violins took the place of viols with their richer and more melodious sound. Back to top XVIII V. they already reigned supreme in the orchestra. A separate group and wind instruments (flutes, oboes, bassoons) also united. Trumpets and timpani moved from the church orchestra to the symphony. An indispensable participant instrumental ensembles there was a harpsichord.
This composition was typical for J. S. Bach, G. Handel, A. Vivaldi.
From the middle XVIII V. The genres of symphony and instrumental concert begin to develop. The departure from the polyphonic style led to the desire of composers for timbre diversity and the distinct identification of orchestral voices.
The functions of new tools are changing. The harpsichord, with its weak sound, gradually loses its leading role. Soon composers abandoned it altogether, relying mainly on the string and wind section. By the end XVIII V. The so-called classical composition of the orchestra was formed: about 30 strings, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 trumpets, 2-3 horns and timpani. Soon the clarinet joined the winds. J. Haydn and W. Mozart wrote for such a composition. Such is the orchestra in early works L. Beethoven. IN XIX V.
The development of the orchestra proceeded mainly in two directions. On the one hand, increasing in composition, it was enriched with instruments of many types (this is a great merit romantic composers, primarily Berlioz, Liszt, Wagner), on the other hand, the internal capabilities of the orchestra developed: sound colors became cleaner, texture became clearer, expressive resources became more economical (such is the orchestra of Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov). The orchestral palette was also significantly enriched by many composers of the late XIX - 1st half of XX V. (R. Strauss, Mahler, Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky, Bartok, Shostakovich, etc.).
Composition of the symphony orchestra
A modern symphony orchestra consists of 4 main groups. The foundation of the orchestra is a string group (violins, violas, cellos, double basses). In most cases, strings are the main carriers of the melodic principle in the orchestra. The number of musicians playing strings is approximately 2/3 of the entire ensemble. The group of woodwind instruments includes flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. Each of them usually has an independent party. Inferior to bowed ones in timbre richness, dynamic properties and variety of playing techniques, wind instruments have great strength, compact sound, bright colorful shades. The third group of orchestra instruments is brass (horn, trumpet, trombone, trumpet). They bring new bright colors to the orchestra, enriching its dynamic capabilities, adding power and brilliance to the sound, and also serving as bass and rhythmic support.
All higher value acquire percussion instruments from a symphony orchestra. Their main function is rhythmic. In addition, they create a special sound and noise background, complement and decorate the orchestral palette with color effects. According to the nature of their sound, drums are divided into 2 types: some have a certain pitch (timpani, bells, xylophone, bells, etc.), others do not have a precise pitch (triangle, tambourine, snare and bass drum, cymbals). Of the instruments not included in the main groups, the role of the harp is most significant. Occasionally, composers include celesta, piano, saxophone, organ and other instruments in the orchestra.
You can read more about the instruments of a symphony orchestra - string section, woodwinds, brass and percussion at website.
I can’t ignore another useful site, “For Children About Music,” which I discovered while preparing this post. There is no need to be intimidated by the fact that this is a site for children. There are some pretty serious things in it, just told in a simpler, more understandable language. Here link on him. By the way, it also contains a story about a symphony orchestra.
Historical sketch
The very idea of a group of instrumental performers simultaneously playing music goes back to ancient times: back in Ancient Egypt, small groups of musicians played together at various holidays and funerals.
The word “orchestra” (“orchestra”) comes from the name of the round platform in front of the stage in the ancient Greek theater, which housed the ancient Greek choir, a participant in any tragedy or comedy. During the Renaissance and further in the 17th century, the orchestra was transformed into an orchestra pit and, accordingly, gave its name to the group of musicians housed in it.
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony orchestra and choir
A symphonic orchestra is an orchestra made up of several different groups of instruments - a family of strings, winds and percussion. The principle of such unification developed in Europe in the 18th century. Initially, the symphony orchestra included groups of bowed instruments, woodwind and brass instruments, to which were attached a few percussion musical instruments. Subsequently, the composition of each of these groups expanded and diversified. Currently, among a number of varieties of symphony orchestras, it is customary to distinguish small And big Symphony Orchestra. A small symphony orchestra is an orchestra of predominantly classical composition (playing music of the late 18th - early 19th centuries, or modern stylizations). It consists of 2 flutes (rarely a small flute), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 (rarely 4) horns, sometimes 2 trumpets and timpani, a string group of no more than 20 instruments (5 first and 4 second violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos, 2 double basses). The Big Symphony Orchestra (BSO) includes obligatory trombones in the brass group and can have any composition. Often wooden instruments (flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons) reach up to 5 instruments of each family (sometimes there are more clarinets) and include varieties (small and alto flutes, Cupid oboe and English oboe, small, alto and bass clarinets, contrabassoon). The brass group can include up to 8 horns (including special Wagner tubas), 5 trumpets (including snare, alto, bass), 3-5 trombones (tenor and tenorbass) and tuba. Saxophones are used very often (all 4 types, see jazz orchestra). The string group reaches 60 or more instruments. There are numerous percussion instruments (although timpani, bells, small and large drums, triangle, cymbals and the Indian tom-tom form their backbone), the harp, piano, and harpsichord are often used.
Brass band
A brass band is an orchestra consisting exclusively of wind and percussion instruments. The basis of the brass band is made up of brass instruments, the leading role in the brass band among brass instruments is played by wide-bore brass wind instruments flugelhorn groups - soprano-flugelhorns, cornets, altohorns, tenorhorns, baritone euphoniums, bass and double bass tubas (note: in a symphony orchestra only one double bass tuba is used). Parts of narrow-bore brass instruments trumpets, horns, and trombones are superimposed on their basis. Woodwind instruments are also used in brass bands: flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and in larger ensembles - oboes and bassoons. In large brass bands, wooden instruments are repeatedly doubled (like strings in a symphony orchestra), varieties are used (especially small flutes and clarinets, English oboe, viola and bass clarinet, sometimes double bass clarinet and contrabassoon, alto flute and amour oboe are used quite rarely). The wooden group is divided into two subgroups, similar to the two subgroups of brass: clarinet-saxophone (bright-sounding single-reed instruments - there are slightly more of them in number) and a group of flutes, oboes and bassoons (weaker in sound than clarinets, double-reed and whistle instruments) . The group of horns, trumpets and trombones is often divided into ensembles; trumpets (small trumpets, rarely alto and bass) and trombones (bass) are used. Such orchestras have large group drums, the basis of which are the same timpani and the “Janissary group”: small, cylindrical and large drums, cymbals, a triangle, as well as a tambourine, castanets and tam-tam. Possible keyboard instruments- piano, harpsichord, synthesizer (or organ) and harp. A large brass band can play not only marches and waltzes, but also overtures, concertos, opera arias and even symphonies. The gigantic combined brass bands in parades are actually based on doubling all the instruments and their composition is very poor. These are just multiply enlarged small brass bands without oboes, bassoons and with a small number of saxophones. The brass band is distinguished by its powerful, bright sonority and therefore is often used not in closed spaces, but in the open air (for example, accompanying a procession). It is typical for a brass band to perform military music, as well as popular dances of European origin (so-called garden music) - waltzes, polkas, mazurkas. IN Lately brass bands of garden music change their composition by merging with orchestras of other genres. So, when performing Creole dances - tango, foxtrot, blues jive, rumba, salsa, elements of jazz are used: instead of a Janissary drum group, a jazz drum set (1 performer) and a number of Afro-Creole instruments (see jazz orchestra). In such cases, keyboard instruments (piano, organ) and harp are increasingly used.
String orchestra
A string orchestra is essentially a group of bowed string instruments in a symphony orchestra. The string orchestra consists of two groups of violins ( first violins and second violins), as well as violas, cellos and double basses. This type of orchestra has been known since the 16th-17th centuries.
Folk Instruments Orchestra
IN various countries Orchestras made up of folk instruments became widespread, performing both transcriptions of works written for other ensembles and original compositions. As an example, we can name an orchestra of Russian folk instruments, which includes instruments of the domra and balalaika family, as well as gusli, accordion, zhaleika, rattles, whistles and other instruments. The idea to create such an orchestra was proposed at the end of the 19th century by the balalaika player Vasily Andreev. In some cases, such an orchestra additionally includes instruments that are actually not folk instruments: flutes, oboes, various bells and many percussion instruments.
Variety orchestra
Variety orchestra- a group of musicians performing pop and jazz music. A pop orchestra consists of strings, winds (including saxophones, which are usually not represented in the wind groups of symphony orchestras), keyboards, percussion and electric musical instruments.
Variety Symphony Orchestra - a large instrumental composition capable of uniting performing principles various types musical art. The variety part is represented in such compositions by a rhythm group (drum set, percussion, piano, synthesizer, guitar, bass guitar) and a full big band (groups of trumpets, trombones and saxophones); symphonic - large group stringed bowed instruments, a group of woodwinds, timpani, harp and others.
The predecessor of the pop symphony orchestra was symphonic jazz, which arose in the USA in the 20s. and created the concert style of popular-entertainment and dance-jazz music. In line with symphonic jazz, the domestic orchestras of L. Teplitsky (“Concert Jazz Band”, 1927) and the State Jazz Orchestra under the direction of V. Knushevitsky (1937) performed. The term “Variety Symphony Orchestra” appeared in 1954. This became the name of the Variety Orchestra of the All-Union Radio and Television under the direction of Y. Silantyev, created in 1945. In 1983, after the death of Silantyev, it was led by A. Petukhov, then M. Kazhlaev. The variety and symphony orchestras also included the orchestras of the Moscow Hermitage Theater, the Moscow and Leningrad Variety Theatres, the Blue Screen Orchestra (director B. Karamyshev), the Leningrad Concert Orchestra (director A. Badchen), the State Variety Orchestra of the Latvian SSR under the direction of Raymond Pauls, State Pop Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Presidential Orchestra Ukraine, etc.
Most often, pop symphony orchestras are used during song gala performances, television competitions, and less often for the performance of instrumental music. Studio work (recording music for radio and cinema, on sound media, creating phonograms) prevails over concert work. Pop symphony orchestras have become a kind of laboratory for domestic, light and jazz music.
Jazz orchestra
A jazz orchestra is one of the most interesting and unique phenomena of modern music. Having emerged later than all other orchestras, it began to influence other forms of music - chamber, symphonic, and brass band music. Jazz uses many of the instruments of a symphony orchestra, but has a quality that is radically different from all other forms of orchestral music.
The main quality that distinguishes jazz from European music- this is a greater role of rhythm (much greater than in a military march or waltz). In this regard, in any jazz orchestra there is a special group of instruments - the rhythm section. A jazz orchestra has one more feature - the predominant role of jazz improvisation leads to noticeable variability in its composition. However, there are several types of jazz orchestras (about 7-8): chamber combo (although this is the area of the ensemble, it must be indicated, since it is the essence of the rhythm section), Dixieland chamber ensemble, small jazz orchestra - small big band , large jazz orchestra without strings - big band, large jazz orchestra with strings (not symphonic type) - extended big band, symphonic jazz orchestra.
The rhythm section of all types of jazz orchestras usually includes drums, plucked strings, and keyboards. This is a jazz drum kit (1 player) consisting of several rhythm cymbals, several accent cymbals, several tom-toms (either Chinese or African), pedal cymbals, a snare drum and special type a large drum of African origin - “Ethiopian (Kenyan) barrel” (its sound is much softer than a Turkish bass drum). In many styles of southern jazz and Latin American music (rumba, salsa, tango, samba, cha-cha-cha, etc.), additional drums are used: a set of congo-bongo drums, maracas (chocalos, cabasas), bells, wooden boxes, Senegalese bells (agogo), clave, etc. Other instruments of the rhythm section that already hold the melodic-harmonic pulse: piano, guitar or banjo (a special type of North African guitar), acoustic bass guitar or double bass (played only by plucking). In large orchestras, sometimes there are several guitars, a guitar along with a banjo, both types of bass. The rarely used tuba is the rhythm section's wind bass instrument. In large orchestras (big bands of all 3 types and symphonic jazz) they often use vibraphone, marimba, flexatone, ukulele, blues guitar (both of the latter are slightly electrified, along with bass), but these instruments are no longer part of the rhythm section.
Other jazz orchestra groups depend on its type. The combo usually has 1-2 soloists (saxophone, trumpet or bow soloist: violin or viola). Examples: ModernJazzQuartet, JazzMessenjers.
Dixieland has 1-2 trumpets, 1 trombone, clarinet or soprano saxophone, sometimes alto or tenor saxophone, 1-2 violins. The Dixieland rhythm section uses the banjo more often than the guitar. Examples: Armstrong ensemble (USA), Tsfasman ensemble (USSR).
A small big band may have 3 trumpets, 1-2 trombones, 3-4 saxophones (soprano = tenor, alto, baritone, everyone also plays clarinets), 3-4 violins, sometimes a cello. Examples: Ellington's First Orchestra 29-35 (USA), Bratislava Hot Serenaders (Slovakia).
In a large big band there are usually 4 trumpets (1-2 play high soprano parts at the level of small ones with special mouthpieces), 3-4 trombones (4 trombone tenor-double bass or tenor bass, sometimes 3), 5 saxophones (2 altos, 2 tenors = soprano, baritone).
An extended big band can have up to 5 trumpets (with individual trumpets), up to 5 trombones, additional saxophones and clarinets (5-7 general saxophones and clarinets), bowed strings (no more than 4 - 6 violins, 2 violas, 3 cellos) , sometimes horn, flute, small flute (only in the USSR). Similar experiments in jazz were carried out in the USA by Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Stanley Kenton, Count Basie, in Cuba - Paquito d'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, in the USSR - Eddie Rosner, Leonid Utyosov.
A symphonic jazz orchestra includes a large string group (40-60 performers), and bowed double basses are possible (in a big band there can only be bowed cellos, the double bass is a member of the rhythm section). But the main thing is the use of flutes, rare for jazz (in all types from small to bass), oboes (all 3-4 types), horns and bassoons (and contrabassoon), which are not at all typical for jazz. Clarinets are complemented by bass, viola, and small clarinet. Such an orchestra can perform symphonies and concerts specially written for it, and participate in operas (Gershwin). Its peculiarity is a pronounced rhythmic pulse, which is not found in a regular symphony orchestra. What should be distinguished from a symphonic jazz orchestra is its complete aesthetic opposite - a pop orchestra, based not on jazz, but on beat music.
Special types of jazz orchestras are the brass jazz band (a brass band with a jazz rhythm section, including a guitar group and with a reduced role of flugelhorns), a church jazz band ( currently exists only in Latin America, includes an organ, choir, church bells, the entire rhythm section, drums without bells and agogos, saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, bowed strings), a jazz-rock ensemble (the Miles Davis group, from the Soviets - “Arsenal”, etc. .).
Military band
Military band, brass band, which is a regular unit of a military unit.
School orchestra
A group of musicians consisting of school students, led, as a rule, by a primary teacher music education. For musicians it is often the starting point of their future musical career.
Notes
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Verges, Paul
See what “Orchestra” is in other dictionaries: ORCHESTRA - (Greek orchestra). 1) everything is connected. several instruments together. 2) a place in the theater where the musicians are located. Dictionary foreign words , included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. ORCHESTRA Greek. orchestra. a) The composition of the choir of musicians...
Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language orchestra - a, m. orchestra m., German. Orchester lat. orchestra gr. 1. Ensemble of musical instruments. BASS 1. Piece for string orchestra. BAS 1. 2. A group of musicians performing a piece of music together on different instruments . BAS 1.… …
Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language
Today, almost every musical theater on the planet has its own orchestra pit. But there were times when it simply did not exist. Having wondered about the history of its origin, this is what we managed to find out.
Is it true that the orchestra pit was invented by Richard Wagner? No. The great German composer Richard Wagner was indeed a reformer in the field of music, but he did not invent the orchestra pit. He only made some adjustments to its location, moving it deeper under the stage and hiding it with a special canopy. The pit itself appeared at a time when even the concept of “ conductor"didn't exist yet.
When did the concept of “pit” appear? During the Renaissance, a group of musicians of the European theater successfully found a language with the performers and without a special leader, being located on the same level with the audience of the lower tier until the third quarter of the 19th century. The place that we today call the ground floor began to be called the “pit” during the Renaissance. True, it did not have any signs of prestige, there were no chairs, the audience had to stand throughout the action, and the floor was often dirt, where the holders of the cheapest tickets threw everything they ate during the many-hour performances - nut shells and orange peels. And next to these " groundlings ", making up the audience of the "pit" for 1 penny (the cost of a portion of cheap beef), there were also musicians playing along with the artists performing on a high platform. It was only in 1702 that this place for musicians near the playing platform began to be called « ancient Greek word orchestra "(translated from Greek "»).
place for dancing
Pit at the stage of Shakespeare's Globe Theater
By the beginning of the 18th century, the number of participants in the orchestra continued to grow, revealing a great problem in maintaining tempo. This is why there was a need for a leader who could lead the team during the game. They often became a musician who performed one of the parts. His main task was to maintain a strong share.In the era of diversity of violin instruments (the last third of the 18th century), when viols of different sizes were replaced by viola, cello, and double bass, the leader of the orchestra was often the first violinist, using a sheet of white paper rolled into a tube for control. At the turn of the 18th - 19th centuries, the first conductors faced auditorium in the center of the orchestra on a small elevation. And the orchestra was still located at the ramp, on the same level as the stalls. However, by the end of the 19th century, his position had changed. He stood next to the row of first violins, with his back to the audience, and could see everything that was happening on stage. This innovation belongs to Richard Wagner.
Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883)
What else did Richard Wagner come up with?
In addition to a new instrument - the bass trumpet, moving the conductor's console and a number of reforms in composition, harmony, and action, he moved the orchestra to a special niche near the ramp, lowered below stage level and covered from above with a special device. Many researchers sacralize this act, seeing in it a manifestation of the will of the great Author to deal with the orchestra in the same way as with the Nibelungs, hiding them in the abyss of the dungeon. We'll leave the interpretation to fans of Wagner's talent, but we got real fact the disappearance of an obstacle that distracts from an interesting theatrical spectacle accompanied by magnificent music sounding from nowhere.What instruments does an orchestra usually consist of?
The tradition developed during the period of the so-called “Viennese classics” (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven), when the first symphonies were composed, which gave the name to its first performers - symphonic orchestras. Today there is such an orchestra to perform Western European music called " classic" or " Beethoven's"(as it was formed in the composer's scores) and consists of four instrumental groups: 1 ) string quintet (1st and 2nd violin, viola, cello, double bass); 2 ) paired woodwinds (pairs of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons); 3 ) brass horns (a couple of trumpets and 2-4 horns) and 4 ) percussion (represented by timpani, but today large and small drums, triangle, orchestral bells, xylophone and even tam-tams are additionally used). Occasionally attract harp and representatives 5 ) keyboards (organ, harpsichord, piano) and others. For some works of late composers, romantic era up to one hundred and fifty performers were required (Wagner, Bruckner, Mahler, Strauss, Scriabin). At the same time, they are still popular today thanks to their activities up to symphonic period(Monteverdi, Handel, etc.) chamber groups with a strength of 4 to 12 people that arose in the 17th century at the courts of royal and noble families. Sometimes they are not hidden in the orchestra pit, but are made into a stylish part of the stage action.
Are there any tools you can’t do without?
Each era had its own preferences, reflected in the composition of instruments and musical leaders. In Renaissance music it was impossible to do without keyboards - the organ and the harpsichord. Surprisingly, the exact composition of instruments in a musical work was first indicated in 1607 in the opera “ Orpheus» Claudio Monteverdi (15 viols of different sizes, 2 violins, 4 flutes - a pair of large and a pair of medium ones), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 4 trumpets, 5 trombones, a harp, 2 harpsichords and 3 mini-organs. In the middle of the 18th century, a clear division arose into chamber and orchestral music. Already at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, music composers reflected their instrumental preferences in their names. In the 19th century, the role of strings increased again and became a leading one. Composers began writing parts for each instrument, allowing one or the other to have a special sound.How does the orchestra “check” with what is happening on stage?
With one eye looking at the notes, with the other the musicians follow the conductor who is leading them. No squint by the way. None of them usually has any idea what is happening on stage. True, everyone hears perfectly. And an unexpected roar or a wrong note will be noticed in a timely manner, but due to excellent upbringing and strict discipline they will not show it.
Conductor of the orchestra of the Perm Opera and Ballet Theater. P. I. Tchaikovsky Teodor Currentzis
What is the “orchestra pit” today?
A recess in the dividing line between the audience and the stage action, intended to accommodate musicians whose accompaniment is necessary to accompany the plot.Why is it placed below, what does it give?
For the sake of saving spectator and stage space and so as not to interfere with the viewer’s eye to see everything that is happening on the stage plane.What are the standard dimensions?
A rectangular hole in the stage 1.2 to 1.8 meters wide, 6.1 to 12 meters long and 1.8 to 3.0 meters deep. This last value became the reason for the occasional injury to the public.What is it equipped with?
The pits have the following equipment systems:1 . A place for the conductor to face the stage space in order to see what is happening and organize a single musical organism.
2 . A backlight system that allows you to read notes from a sheet and see the conductor even in complete darkness.
3 . Acoustic protection of the box itself so that the musicians do not become deaf from each other, with a microphone system that transmits sound through translators located throughout the audience area.
4 . Hydraulic lift or screw jack, rack and pinion or scissor section raising and lowering system, or elevator.
5 . Covering - when the pit is not in use, it is covered with various kinds of materials.
James McBay. Violinist. 1932
Is it polite to look into the pit during intermission?
It is unlikely that you can see anything interesting there. The only known place where something extraordinary happens is the orchestra pit of the festival theater in Bayreuth (Germany), built during the life and under the direction of R. Wagner (1872-76) and annually celebrating his music in the summer opera festival. It is here that the pit is hidden by a canopy and descends in steps deep into the stage, so that it is completely invisible to the public. Because operas German composer are considered the longest in the world, almost all musicians in hot weather summer days Forums prefer light clothing - shorts and T-shirts. However, even those lucky ones who stood in a long line of ten years for tickets and got to see the festival performance will not see this. In all other cases, the dress code is mournful - everyone is in black, but there are situations when men are allowed to wear a white shirt under a jacket or tuxedo. During intermission, the musicians, like the audience, go to rest out of sight.What happens if one of the musicians gets sick?
Nothing noticeable. The ranks are growing stronger and united. And with a mass epidemic, some works also end faster. Looking at the history of symphonic music, when the orchestra consisted of a small number of instruments, you sometimes begin to miss the laconicism and obvious differences in timbres and shades of voices. Although there are those who like it “to be louder and noisier.” For them there is a special joy - the march genre. Some people like military ones, some like wedding ones, and some like mourning ones, which, however, is also a big, albeit sad, thing. The main thing is not to listen to them often at night.
Is it possible to throw flowers and gifts into the hole?
This is about the same as throwing bulls onto the balcony below. Except that such behavior does not cause embarrassment among the rare, literate Gopniks. In the theater, such a thrower will certainly be noticed and beaten and enveloped in a withering gaze. It’s still not worth playing bowling or small towns, throwing a bouquet at the head of a gifted orchestra member. No need! Use the services of a conductor who knows a non-traumatic way to get into the orchestra pit. He can send your flowers and gifts with a card included in them " On whose behalf” into the hands of exactly the musician whom you wanted to scare with offerings. There is a time and place for everything.The symphony orchestra consists of three groups of musical instruments: strings (violins, violas, cellos, double basses), winds (brass and wood) and a group of percussion instruments. The number of musicians in groups may vary, depending on performed work. Often the composition of a symphony orchestra is expanded, additional and atypical musical instruments are introduced: harp, celesta, saxophone, etc. The number of musicians in a symphony orchestra in some cases can exceed 200 musicians!
Depending on the number of musicians in the groups, there are small and large symphony orchestras; among the varieties of small ones there are theater orchestras that participate in musical accompaniment operas and ballets.
Chamber
Such an orchestra differs from a symphony orchestra by a significantly smaller composition of musicians and a smaller variety of groups of instruments. IN chamber orchestra The number of wind and percussion instruments has also been reduced.
String
This orchestra consists only of string instruments - violin, viola, cello, double bass.
Wind
The brass band consists of a variety of wind instruments - woodwind and brass, as well as a group of percussion instruments. The brass band includes, along with musical instruments characteristic of a symphony orchestra (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba), and specific instruments (wind alto, tenor, baritone, euphonium, flugelhorn, sousaphone and etc.), which are not found in other types of orchestras.
In our country, military brass bands are extremely popular, performing, along with pop and jazz compositions, special applied military music: fanfares, marches, anthems and the so-called gardening repertoire - waltzes and ancient marches. Brass orchestras are much more mobile than symphony and chamber orchestras; they can perform music while moving. There is a special genre of performance - an orchestral fashion show, in which the performance of music by a brass band is combined with the simultaneous performance of complex choreographic performances by musicians.
In large opera and ballet theaters you can find special brass bands - theatrical bands. The gangs participate directly in the stage production itself, where, according to the plot, the musicians are acting characters.
Pop
Typically this special composition small symphony orchestra (pop symphony orchestra), which contains, among other things, a group of saxophones, specific keyboards, electronic instruments(synthesizer, electric guitar, etc.) and pop rhythm section.
Jazz
A jazz orchestra (band) consists, as a rule, of a brass group, which includes groups of trumpets, trombones and saxophones expanded in comparison with other orchestras, a string group represented by violins and double bass, as well as a jazz rhythm section.
Folk Instruments Orchestra
One of the options for a folk ensemble is an orchestra of Russian folk instruments. It consists of groups of balalaikas and domras, includes gusli, button accordions, special Russian wind instruments - horns and zhaleikas. Such orchestras often include instruments typical of a symphony orchestra - flutes, oboes, horns and percussion instruments. The idea of creating such an orchestra was proposed by balalaika player Vasily Andreev at the end of the 19th century.
Orchestra of Russian folk instruments the only kind folk ensembles. There are, for example, Scottish bagpipe bands, Mexican wedding bands, which feature a group of various guitars, trumpets, ethnic percussion, etc.
Fedorov Veronica and Vasyagina Alexandra
Presentations were made as part of the project "In the World of Musical Instruments"
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Varieties of orchestras Performed by 7th grade student B Fedorov Veronica
Symphonic orchestra A symphony orchestra is an orchestra made up of several different groups of instruments - the family of violins, winds and percussion. The principle of such unification developed in Europe in the 18th century. Initially, the symphony orchestra included groups of bowed instruments, woodwind and brass instruments, which were joined by a few percussion musical instruments. Subsequently, the composition of each of these groups expanded and diversified. Currently, among a number of varieties of symphony orchestras, it is customary to distinguish between a small and a large symphony orchestra.
A small symphony orchestra is an orchestra of predominantly classical composition (playing music of the late 18th - early 19th centuries, or modern stylizations). It consists of 2 flutes (rarely a small flute), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 (rarely 4) horns, sometimes 2 trumpets and timpani, a string group of no more than 20 instruments (5 first and 4 second violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos, 2 double basses).
A large symphony orchestra includes obligatory trombones in the brass group and can have any composition. Often wooden instruments (flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons) reach up to 5 instruments of each family (sometimes there are more clarinets) and include varieties (small and alto flutes, Cupid oboe and English oboe, small, alto and bass clarinets, contrabassoon). The brass group can include up to 8 horns (including special Wagner tubas), 5 trumpets (including snare, alto, bass), 3-5 trombones (tenor and tenorbass) and tuba.
Brass band A brass band is an orchestra consisting exclusively of wind and percussion instruments. The basis of the brass band is made up of brass instruments, the leading role in the brass band among the brass instruments is played by the wide-bore brass instruments of the flugelhorn group - soprano-flugelhorns, cornets, altohorns, tenorhorns, baritone-euphoniums, bass and double bass tubas, (in the symphony orchestra only one double bass tuba).
Parts of narrow-bore brass instruments trumpets, horns, and trombones are superimposed on their basis. Woodwind instruments are also used in brass bands: flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and in larger ensembles - oboes and bassoons. In large brass bands, wooden instruments are repeatedly doubled (like strings in a symphony orchestra), varieties are used (especially small flutes and clarinets, English oboe, viola and bass clarinet, sometimes double bass clarinet and contrabassoon, alto flute and amour oboe are used quite rarely).
The wooden group is divided into two subgroups, similar to the two subgroups of brass: clarinet-saxophone (bright-sounding single-reed instruments - there are slightly more of them in number) and a group of flutes, oboes and bassoons (weaker in sound than clarinets, double-reed and whistle instruments) . The group of horns, trumpets and trombones is often divided into ensembles; trumpets (small trumpets, rarely alto and bass) and trombones (bass) are used. In such orchestras there is a large group of percussion, the basis of which is the same timpani and the “Janissary group”: small, cylindrical and large drums, cymbals, a triangle, as well as a tambourine, castanets and tam-tam.
String orchestra A string orchestra is essentially a group of bowed string instruments in a symphony orchestra. The string orchestra consists of two groups of violins (first violins and second violins), as well as violas, cellos and double basses. This type of orchestra has been known since the 16th-17th centuries.
In various countries, orchestras made up of folk instruments have become widespread, performing both transcriptions of works written for other ensembles and original compositions. As an example, we can name an orchestra of Russian folk instruments, which includes instruments of the domra and balalaika family, as well as gusli, button accordions, zhaleikas and other instruments. The idea to create such an orchestra was proposed at the end of the 19th century by the balalaika player Vasily Andreev. In some cases, such an orchestra additionally includes instruments that are actually not folk instruments: flutes, oboes, and various percussion instruments.
Pop orchestra A pop orchestra is a group of musicians performing pop and jazz music. The variety orchestra consists of strings, winds (including saxophones), keyboards, percussion and electric musical instruments.
A pop symphony orchestra is a large instrumental composition capable of combining the performing principles of various types of musical art. The variety part is represented in such compositions by a rhythm group (drum set, percussion, piano, synthesizer, guitar, bass guitar) and a full big band (groups of trumpets, trombones and saxophones); symphonic - a large group of string instruments, a group of woodwinds, timpani, harp and others.
The predecessor of the pop symphony orchestra was symphonic jazz, which arose in the USA in the 20s. and created the concert style of popular-entertainment and dance-jazz music. The domestic orchestras of L. Teplitsky (“Concert Jazz Band”, 1927) and the State Jazz Orchestra under the direction of V. Krushevitsky (1937) performed in line with symphonic jazz. The term Variety Symphony Orchestra appeared in 1954.
Jazz orchestra The jazz orchestra is one of the most interesting and unique phenomena of modern music. Having emerged later than all other orchestras, it began to influence other forms of music - chamber, symphonic, and brass band music. Jazz uses many of the instruments of a symphony orchestra, but has a quality that is radically different from all other forms of orchestral music.
The main quality that distinguishes jazz from European music is the greater role of rhythm (much greater than in a military march or waltz). In this regard, in any jazz orchestra there is a special group of instruments - the rhythm section. A jazz orchestra has one more feature - jazz improvisation leads to the vagueness of its composition. However, there are several types of jazz orchestras (approximately 7-8): chamber combo (although this is the area of the ensemble, it must be indicated, since it is the essence of the rhythm section), Dixieland chamber ensemble, and red jazz orchestra - small big band , large jazz orchestra without strings - big band, large jazz orchestra with strings (not symphonic type) - extended big band, symphonic jazz orchestra.
The rhythm section of all types of jazz orchestras usually includes drums, plucked strings, and keyboards. This is a jazz drum kit (1 player) consisting of several rhythm cymbals, several accent cymbals, several tom-toms (either Chinese or African), pedal cymbals, a snare drum and a special type of bass drum of African origin - the "Ethiopian (Kenyan) kick drum " (its sound is much softer than the Turkish bass drum).
Military orchestra A military orchestra is a special full-time military unit designed to perform military music, that is, musical works during drill training of troops, during military rituals, ceremonies, as well as for concert activities. There are homogeneous military bands, consisting of brass and percussion instruments, and mixed ones, which also include a group of woodwind instruments. The leadership of a military orchestra is carried out by a military conductor.
In the West, the establishment of more or less organized military bands dates back to the 17th century. Under Louis XIV, the orchestra consisted of pipes, oboes, bassoons, trumpets, timpani, and drums. All these instruments were divided into three groups, rarely combined together: pipes and drums, trumpets and timpani, oboes and bassoons. In the 18th century, the clarinet was introduced into the military orchestra, and military music receives melodic meaning. Until the beginning of the 19th century. military bands in both France and Germany included, in addition to the above-mentioned instruments, horns, serpents, trombones and Turkish music, that is, bass drum, cymbals, triangle. The invention of pistons (a type of valve, or the so-called standing valve, a button that activates a mechanism that opens spare tubes, or crowns attached to a brass instrument) for brass instruments (1816) had a great influence on the development of the military band: trumpets, cornets appeared , bugelhorns, ophicleides with pistons, tubas, saxophones. It is also worth mentioning the orchestra, consisting only of brass instruments (fanfare). Such an orchestra is used in cavalry regiments. The new organization of military bands moved from the West to Russia.
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"Varieties of Orchestra". Completed by 7A class student Alexandra Vasyagina.
Orchestra. Orchestra (from the Greek ορχήστρα) is a large group of instrumental musicians. Unlike chamber ensembles, in an orchestra some of its musicians form groups that play in unison.
Symphony Orchestra. Symphony orchestra - a large group of musicians to perform academic music predominantly Western European tradition. The symphony orchestra consists of instruments whose history is inextricably linked with the history of music in Western Europe. Music that is written with a symphony orchestra in mind (also called "symphonic") usually takes into account the style that has developed within the European musical culture. The basis of a symphony orchestra is made up of four groups of instruments: bowed strings, woodwinds and brass, and percussion. In some cases, other instruments are also included in the orchestra.
Symphony Orchestra.
Brass band. A brass band is an orchestra consisting of wind and percussion instruments. The core of the brass band consists of wide-bore and conventional brass instruments - cornets, flugelhorns, euphoniums, altos, tenors, baritones, basses, trumpets, horns, trombones. Woodwind instruments are also used in brass bands: flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and in larger ensembles - oboes and bassoons. IN early XIX century, under the influence of “Janissary music”, some percussion musical instruments appeared in brass bands, primarily a large drum and cymbals, giving the orchestra a rhythmic basis.
Brass band
String orchestra. A string orchestra is essentially a group of bowed string instruments in a symphony orchestra. The string orchestra consists of two groups of violins (first violins and second violins), as well as violas, cellos and double basses and guitars. This type of orchestra has been known since the 16th-17th centuries.
String orchestra.
Orchestra of folk instruments. In various countries, orchestras made up of folk instruments have become widespread, performing both transcriptions of works written for other ensembles and original compositions. As an example, we can name an orchestra of Russian folk instruments, which includes instruments of the domra and balalaika family, as well as gusli, button accordions, psaltery, rattles, whistles and other instruments. The idea to create such an orchestra was proposed at the end of the 19th century by the balalaika player Vasily Andreev. In some cases, such an orchestra additionally includes instruments that are actually not folk instruments: flutes, oboes, various bells and many percussion instruments.
Orchestra of folk instruments.
Pop orchestra. A pop orchestra is a group of musicians performing pop and jazz music. A pop orchestra consists of strings, winds (including saxophones, which are usually not represented in the wind groups of symphony orchestras), keyboards, percussion and electric musical instruments.
Pop orchestra.
Jazz orchestra. A jazz orchestra is one of the most interesting and unique phenomena of modern music. Having emerged later than all other orchestras, it began to influence other forms of music - chamber, symphonic, and brass band music. Jazz uses many of the instruments of a symphony orchestra, but has a quality that is radically different from all other forms of orchestral music.
Jazz orchestra.
Military band. Military band, brass band, which is a regular unit of a military unit.
Military band.
School orchestra. A group of musicians consisting of school students, led, as a rule, by a teacher of primary music education. For musicians it is often the starting point of their future musical career.
School orchestra.