One of the most exciting and anticipatory sounds in western music is that of an orchestra tuning up: that strange blend of instruments playing in their different keys, musicians practising the tricky bits in the music they’re about to perform, all called to order eventually by one oboe playing the note that everyone tunes to: concert A. This distinctive sound even has its own special name, “cacophony”.
Orchestras can be dauntingly large and complex – also thrillingly loud and full of colourful sounds – so it’s useful to know how they work and what to listen for in orchestral music, whether you’re listening to recordings or to a live performance.
What is an orchestra?
Early beginnings and composers
In European classical music, the orchestra as we know it today has gradually evolved since around 1600, when assorted combinations of instruments started to coalesce into a standard group of string and wind instruments.
At first this often accompanied singing, but purely instrumental music became increasingly important, and by the late 1700s symphonies—large-scale multi-section works for orchestra, with a standard combination of instruments and structure—had become the most highly regarded genre of Classical music.
The most important composers of these were Josef Haydn—who wrote over 100 symphonies, Mozart, and later Beethoven, who redefined the genre and the sound of the orchestra.
From new genres to mega-orchestras
In the 19th century the orchestra gradually increased in size and variety of instruments, and there was more range of compositional genres, including the new “symphonic poem,” which was intended to depict a dramatic scene or story through music.
Notable orchestral composers include Schubert, Brahms, Liszt, and especially Berlioz, who wrote the first major book on orchestration and conducting.
Opera composers such as Wagner and Verdi also wrote very imaginatively for the orchestra, making it integral to the musical expression of characters and drama.
In the late 19th century, a craze developed for mega-orchestras that played “Monster” concerts in venues like the Crystal Palace, often with huge choirs as well.
The large orchestra reached its peak in the early 1900s in the music of Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, and Igor Stravinsky.
Orchestras around the world
Some of the world’s now most famous orchestras were founded in the 19th century, such as the Berlin Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony, while many more were formed in the first half of the 20th century, such as the City of Birmingham and London Symphony Orchestras.
There are thousands of professional orchestras around the world, as well as amateur ones for instrumentalists who love the thrill of playing within a large ensemble.
While many learn to play their instrument early in life, there are also orchestras for those who pick up an instrument as an adult, such as the East London Late Starters Orchestra.
What are the sections of an orchestra?
An orchestra has four sections, or groups of instruments—
- Strings
- Woodwind
- Brass
- Percussion
—each with its own distinctive character and tone colour (“timbre”).
Strings
The strings are the core of the orchestra; very agile and fairly homogenous in timbre, they often play soaring melodies but also supporting harmonies and textures for other instruments.
Woodwinds
The woodwinds have very clearly differentiated timbres and their solo lines stand out from the orchestral texture.
Brass
The brass are powerful but not especially agile instruments, and they weigh in at the most dramatic moments.
Percussion
The percussion section is the most varied in both timbre and volume, and can easily overpower the rest of the orchestra when playing loudly.
What Instruments are in an Orchestra?
String instruments
The String section is the most standardised, containing violins (divided into first and seconds), violas, cellos and double basses. There are multiple players on each of these five parts.
Woodwind intruments
The essential Woodwinds are flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon, and some of their cousins that might also be included, such as piccolo [flute], cor anglais [alto oboe], bass clarinet and contrabassoon.
Brass instruments
The Brass comprises horns, trumpets, trombones and tuba. As wind instruments are louder and more penetrating than stringed instruments, their parts are played by individual players.
Percussion instruments
Percussion is the most varied section. Timpani (tuned low drums) are the core, along with cymbals and snare drum, but the section can include anything from triangle, castanets and maracas to xylophones and glockenspiel, and anything that makes can be hit or rattled to make a sound.
A great piece for getting to know the sound of all the different instruments is Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, in which each instrument has a solo that uses the most characteristic sounds and playing techniques.
Types of orchestra
What is a Chamber Orchestra?
A chamber orchestra comprises 20–30 players, with a few string players on each part and solo players on a small number of wind, brass and percussion instruments.
The Classical symphonies of Haydn and Mozart were written for this size orchestra, and it returned to popularity in the early 20th century, when composers like Stravinsky and Ravel appreciated its clearer and more delicate sound.
What is a Symphony Orchestra?
The standard symphony orchestra, since the early 20th century, has around 80 players, comprising 50–60 strings, at least four of each kind of woodwind, three of each brass instrument, and lots of percussion.
Notable 20th century composers for large orchestras include Aaron Copland, Henryck Gorecki, Thomas Adès and many others.
What is the layout of an orchestra?
The layout of the orchestra can vary depending on the size of the orchestra, the space available for the performance, and the conductor’s preferences.
The conductor is front and centre, and the orchestral players sit together in their sections
Strings: The strings are at the front and to the side of the conductor with 1st violins their left, then 2nd violins, violas and cellos, with basses at the back (these are very large instruments, and the players need to stand up).
Winds: The winds sit in the middle section behind the strings.
Brass: Brass are usually at the back corners or in the middle section between the winds and percussion.
Percussion: Percussion are arranged at the back of the orchestra.
Examples of orchestral music to get you started
Here are just a few suggestions of orchestral music to start your listening:
Classical: Haydn, Symphony No 101 “The Clock;” Mozart, Symphony No 40 in G minor; Beethoven, Symphony No 3 “Eroica”
19th century: Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique; Wagner, The Flying Dutchman; Strauss: Thus Spake Zarathustra
Early 20th century: Mahler, Symphony No 8 “Symphony of a Thousand;” Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring; Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man
Late 20th century onwards: Gorecki, Symphony No 3 “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs;” Gubaidalina, Symphony in 12 movements; Adès, Chamber Symphony.
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