The orchestra
From DIMA
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author: Ciprian Gabriel Pop
The orchestra is an instrumental ensemble of variable dimensions which encompasses almost always four important sections: strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
The orchestral ensemble of smaller dimensions (of up to 50 instruments) is called chamber orchestra. The orchestral ensemble composed of over 50 instrument players (usually 100) is commonly referred to as symphony orchestra. In the majority of the cases in which the orchestra accompanies a choir or a vocal ensemble, we refer to as a vocal-symphonic ensemble.
The instruments most commonly used in the symphonic orchestra are:
- - wind instruments: piccolo, flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, (bass clarinet), bassoon, (counter-bassoon);
- - brass instruments: trumpet, horn, trombone and tuba;
- - percussion instruments: instruments with determined or undetermined sound– idiophones, membranophones and hybrids;
- - string instruments: violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Beside these instruments that compose the “standard” structure according to each stylistic era, there are also other instruments in use, such as the oboe family, clarinet and saxophone families, the guitar, harp, piano, organ and others, the structure of the orchestra being always indicated by the author of the musical piece.
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History
The first instrumental ensembles existed since the period of ancient Egypt, used for several rituals or occasionally, for certain ceremonies. Towards the end of the 16th century were composed many pieces for instrumental ensembles. During that time the nobility needed the presence of musicians for dance or court music. Also, with the development of theatre and especially of the opera, the musical score was addressed especially to groups of instrumentalists – the main cause for the development of the orchestral score. In Italy but also in Germany, France and England emerged more and more opera houses, this leading to an increase in the demand for the musical support provided by the instrumental ensemble. The orchestra evolved in time, each stylistic era developing more and more the orchestral apparatus.
Baroque in music
In the Baroque era, the orchestra was of small dimensions and was usually comprised of string instruments, wind instruments and basso continuo, represented by a harpsichord or organ. The brass instruments were also used, but lacking the extent they would have in Classicism.
J.S. Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, manuscript
Classicism in music
The orchestra is much developed during this period, especially by perfecting the woodwind and brass instruments. During this time the works for orchestra are very much developed. It was the time when there were crystallized an almost standard structure of the orchestra. The types of orchestra used by the composers did not differ too much. For example W. A. Mozart does not use the clarinet in many of his symphonies, as opposed to L. van Beethoven, who uses the clarinet all the time.
- The componence of a classic orchestra:
- Woodwind instruments
- 2 Flutes
- 2 Oboes
- 2 Clarinets (in C, B-flat, or A)
- 2 Bassoons
- Brass instruments
- 2 or 4 Horns (natural)
- 2 Trumpets (natural)
- Percussion instruments
- Kettledrums
- String instruments
- 6 Violins I
- 6 Violins II
- 4 Violas
- 3 Cellos
- 2 Double basses
Romanticism in music
Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
During this time the orchestral apparatus employed by the composer is amplified by the increase in the number of instrumentalists, generating also the possibility of achieving new timbral combinations.
The woodwind instruments section is enriched by using more flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons. Alongside with these are added instruments which enlarge the range of the instruments they derive from: flute piccolo, bass clarinet and counter bassoon. The brass instruments section gains from the technical innovations applied to the instruments, which demands a greater agility and an enlargement of the range. Beside trumpets and horns, there are employed the trombones and the tuba.
Regarding the percussion instruments, except the use of several kettledrums, the idiophonic instruments are more widely used (the xylophone, the cymbals, the triangle, the castagnets) and the membranophones (the bass drum, the side drum). Additionally, the harp is staring to be used as an instrument that bestows colour on the musical discourse.
There are no new instruments added in the strings instruments, but it is raised the number of instrumentalists to counterbalance the much higher number of woodwind and brass instruments.
- The componence of a Romantic orchestra:
- Woodwind instruments
- 1 Flute piccolo
- 2 or 3 Flutes
- 2 or 3 Oboes
- 1 English horn
- (1 Clarinet in E-flat)
- 2 or 3 Clarinets (in C, B-flat or A)
- (1 bass Clarinet in B-flat or A)
- 2 or 3 Bassoons
- (1 counterbassoon)
- Brass intruments
- 4 or 8 Horns
- 2 or 4 Trumpets
- 3 or 4 Trombones(2/3 tenor, 1 bass)
- (Wagnerian tubas)
- Tuba
- Percussion instruments
- Kettle drum
- Bass drum
- Side drum
- Cymbals
- Tam-tam
- Triangle
- Tamburine
- Glockenspiel
- Xylophone
- Keyboard instruments
- Celesta
- Organ
- Strings instruments
- 1 or 2 Harps
- 14 or 16 Violins I
- 12 or 16 Violins II
- 10 or 12 Violas
- 8 or 12 Violoncellos
The 20th century
The orchestra experiences at this time its greatest development. Complex orchestral works are written, employing a much enlarged ensemble with a higher number of instruments. The section of the percussion instruments is raised significantly, new instruments being intensively used by the composers in the orchestral pieces. However, the standard structure of the orchestra during this period is, in the great majority of the cases, the same as the Romantic one. On the other side, there are explored new attack techniques, the forcing of the range of the instruments, which generates new timbral combinations. The score of the orchestra becomes more and more complex, requiring a high precision degree in execution, becoming necessary that the members of the 20th century members of the orchestra be accomplished instrumentalists and musicians. The role of the conductor in this context becomes more difficult.
- The componence of a modern orchestra:
- Woodwind instruments
- 1 Flute piccolo
- 2 or 3 Flutes
- 2 or 3 Oboes
- 1 English horn
- (1 Clarinet in Mib)
- 2 or 3 Clarinets (in C, B-flat or A)
- (1 bass Clarinet in B-flat or A)
- 2 or 3 Bassoons
- (1 counterbassoon)
- Brass intruments
- 4 or 8 Horns
- 2 or 4 Trumpets
- 3 or 4 Trombones (2/3 tenors, 1 bass)
- (wagnerian tubes)
- Tuba
- Percussion instruments
- Kettle drum
- Bass drum
- Side drum
- Cymbals
- Tam-tam
- Triangle
- Tamburine
- Glockenspiel
- Xylophone
- Tubular bells
- Wood-Bloks
- Vibraphone
- Marimbaphone, etc.
- Keyboard instruments
- Celesta
- Organ
- Strings instruments
- 1 or 2 Harps
- 14 or 16 Violins I
- 12 or 16 Violins II
- 10 or 12 Violas
- 8 or 12 Violoncellos
- 6 or 12 contrabasses
The present time
At present, the works for orchestra are widely spread, but at the level of the structure of the musical ensemble there are no significant changes brought. One may notice a greater flexibility in adding or leaving aside some instruments, according to the composer’s needs. New timbral experiences are sought, realized through special ways of attack and their simultaneous combinations in several instruments, generating completely different sonorities than the traditional ones.