What kind of orchestras are there? What types of orchestras are there based on the composition of instruments? Is it true that the orchestra pit was invented by Richard Wagner?

The word “orchestra” has been known for a long time. In the ancient Greek theater, the “orchestra” was the place in front of the stage where the choir was located during the performance of the tragedy. Later, a large instrumental ensemble began to be called this, in contrast to a small chamber ensemble (from the Latin “camera” - “room”). Large instrumental ensembles accompanied musical and theatrical performances, or performed independently. In the modern understanding of An orchestra is a large group of performing musicians playing various instruments. The type of orchestra depends on the selection of instruments.

ABOUT orchestra of folk instruments. Different peoples have different instruments, so the composition and sound of such orchestras differ noticeably from each other. The Neapolitan orchestra consists of mandolins and guitars, while the national instrument orchestras of Africa and Indonesia consist mainly of percussion instruments. The orchestra of Russian folk instruments plays domras, balalaikas, gusli, pipes, zhaleikas, horns, button accordions, and tambourines. This is how he was created at the end of the 19th century Vasily Vasilievich Andreev. Now the orchestra of Russian folk instruments includes a group of woodwind instruments, and the percussion group has also been significantly expanded. Such orchestras perform arrangements of Russian folk songs, works specially written for this composition.

Brass band a group of performers on wind instruments (wood and brass or only brass, the so-called gang) and percussion instruments. The brass band is able to perform in any conditions - indoors, outdoors, and even on the move. Thanks to this, the brass band has long been used by the armies of many countries. The brass band originated in the distant past. Even in Ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece, China, and India, solemn religious ceremonies and military operations were accompanied by ensembles of wind and percussion instruments. The first brass bands appeared in Europe in the 17th century. In the second half of the 18th century, they were replenished with instruments of “Janissary” (Turkish) music - large and small drums, cymbals and others. The brass band is still an indispensable participant in cultural and sporting events today.

Jazz orchestra. Jazz is a special phenomenon in the music of the 20th century. It was born from the combination of two cultures - European and African. First jazz bands appeared in America in the 10s of the 20th century. The favorite instruments of these groups were: trumpet, trombone, clarinet, piano, double bass, saxophone, guitar, banjo. In general, jazz willingly uses any instruments. The structure of most jazz pieces resembles a variation form: at the beginning the entire ensemble plays a theme, then there is a series of variations-improvisations, and at the end the theme is played again. The art of improvisation, whimsical rhythm - swing(“swinging”), a special manner of performance, as if dancing - all this at one time stunned and captivated the audience. The names of famous jazz musicians are still heard: singer and trumpeter Louis Armstrong, singer Ella Fitzgerald, clarinetist Benny Goodman, pianist Duke Ellington.

Variety orchestra– uses a variety of types of compositions, including those characteristic of jazz. The most common type is the pop-symphony orchestra. Pop instrumental music differs from jazz in its greater simplicity and melody, and lack of improvisation. Pop orchestras often perform dance and entertainment music, arrangements of songs, and arrangements of classical works.

Symphony Orchestra developed in the second half of the 18th century. Musicians have been searching for the best combination and relationship of instruments for a long time. At first, their selection in the orchestra was not precisely established and could vary significantly. The founders of the classical symphony orchestra become

J. Haydn and W. A. ​​Mozart, in whose work it took shape as a union of four instrumental groups: bowed string, woodwind, brass And percussion. The basis of the orchestra has remained unchanged to this day, but over the past centuries its composition has been constantly enriched with new instruments, and the already known ones have been improved all the time. The symphony orchestra has the widest expressive possibilities.

Any orchestra is a large group of performing musicians; their coordinated play is impossible without conductor(from the French “to direct, to manage”). Before his eyes score - notes in which the parts of all instruments are written. Based on the score, the conductor shows the musicians the time of their entry, counts the beats, uniting everyone into a single ensemble, and presents his understanding of the content of the work. The conductor did not always have a light baton in his hands. At first, the conductors loudly beat time with a battuta (stick), some tapped their feet, or rolled up notes. Often the orchestra was led by the first violinist - bandmaster using a bow for this. The conductor's baton appeared in the hands of the conductor at the beginning of the 19th century. And Richard Wagner was the first to turn his face to the musicians.

Tasks:

1. Which orchestra often plays outdoors, and why?

2. What orchestra did V. Andreev form?

3. Which orchestra can have any composition of performers,

and most importantly – improvisation and swing rhythm?

4. Which orchestra performs symphonies, symphonic poems,

suites, overtures?

5. Why does an orchestra need a conductor?

An orchestra is a group of musicians playing various instruments. But it should not be confused with an ensemble. This article will tell you what types of orchestras there are. And their compositions of musical instruments will also be sanctified.

Types of orchestras

An orchestra differs from an ensemble in that in the first case, identical instruments are combined into groups that play in unison, that is, one common melody. And in the second case, each musician is a soloist - he plays his own part. “Orchestra” is a Greek word and is translated as “dance floor.” It was located between the stage and the audience. The choir was located on this platform. Then it became similar to modern orchestra pits. And over time, musicians began to settle there. And the name “orchestra” went to groups of instrumental performers.

Types of orchestras:

• Symphonic.
• String.
• Wind.
• Jazz.
• Pop.
• Orchestra of folk instruments.
• Military.
• School.

The composition of the instruments of different types of orchestra is strictly defined. Symphonic consists of a group of strings, percussion and winds. String and brass bands consist of instruments corresponding to their names. Jazz bands can have different compositions. The variety orchestra consists of winds, strings, percussion, keyboards and electric musical instruments.

Types of choirs

A choir is a large ensemble consisting of singers. There must be at least 12 artists. In most cases, choirs perform accompanied by orchestras. The types of orchestras and choirs differ. There are several classifications. First of all, choirs are divided into types according to their composition of voices. These can be: women's, men's, mixed, children's, and boys' choirs. Based on the manner of performance, they distinguish between folk and academic.

Choirs are also classified according to the number of performers:

• 12-20 people – vocal and choral ensemble.
• 20-50 artists - chamber choir.
• 40-70 singers – average.
• 70-120 participants – a large choir.
• Up to 1000 artists - consolidated (from several groups).

According to their status, choirs are divided into: educational, professional, amateur, church.

Symphony Orchestra

Not all types of orchestras include stringed instruments. This group includes: violins, cellos, violas, double basses. One of the orchestras, which includes a string-bow family, is a symphony. It will consist of several different groups of musical instruments. Today there are two types of symphony orchestras: small and large. The first of them has a classic composition: 2 flutes, the same number of bassoons, clarinets, oboes, trumpets and horns, no more than 20 strings, and occasionally timpani.

A large symphony orchestra can be of any composition. It can include 60 or more string instruments, tubas, up to 5 trombones of different timbres and 5 trumpets, up to 8 horns, up to 5 flutes, as well as oboes, clarinets and bassoons. It can also include such varieties from the wind group as oboe d'amour, piccolo flute, contrabassoon, English horn, saxophones of all types. It can include a huge number of percussion instruments. Often a large symphony orchestra includes organ, piano, harpsichord and harp.

Brass band

Almost all types of orchestras include a family of wind instruments. This group includes two varieties: copper and wood. Some types of orchestras consist only of wind and percussion instruments, such as brass and military. In the first variety, the main role belongs to cornets, bugles of various types, tubas, and baritone euphoniums. Secondary instruments: trombones, trumpets, horns, flutes, saxophones, clarinets, oboes, bassoons. If the brass band is large, then, as a rule, all the instruments in it increase in number. Very rarely harps and keyboards may be added.

The repertoire of brass bands includes:

• Marches.
• European ballroom dancing.
• Opera arias.
• Symphonies.
• Concerts.

Brass bands most often perform in open street areas or accompany the procession, as they sound very powerful and bright.

Folk Instruments Orchestra

Their repertoire includes mainly folk compositions. What is their instrumental composition? Each nation has its own. For example, the orchestra of Russian folk instruments includes: balalaikas, gusli, domras, zhaleikas, whistles, button accordions, rattles, and so on.

Military band

The types of orchestras consisting of wind and percussion instruments have already been listed above. There is another variety that includes these two groups. These are military bands. They serve to voice military rituals, ceremonies, and also for participation in concerts. There are two types of military bands. Some consist of percussion instruments and brass. They are called homogeneous. The second type is mixed military bands; they, among other things, include a group of woodwinds.

An orchestra is a large number of musicians who simultaneously play different musical instruments. An orchestra differs from an ensemble by the presence of entire groups of individual types of musical instruments. Quite often in an orchestra, one part is performed by several musicians at once. The number of people in the orchestra may vary, the minimum number of performers is fifteen, the maximum number of performers is not limited. If you want to listen to a live orchestra in Moscow, you can order tickets for the concert on the website biletluxury.ru.

There are several types of orchestras: symphony, chamber, pop, military and folk orchestra. They all differ from each other in the composition of their musical instruments.

A symphony orchestra must have strings, winds and percussion instruments. Also in a symphony orchestra there may be other types of musical instruments that are necessary for the performance of a certain piece. A symphony orchestra can be large or small, it all depends on the number of musicians.

In a chamber orchestra, musicians play wind and string instruments. This orchestra can perform musical works even while moving.

In addition to the instruments used in a symphony orchestra, the variety orchestra includes electronic musical instruments. For example, synthesizer, rhythm section, etc.

A jazz orchestra uses wind and string instruments, as well as special rhythm sections that perform only jazz compositions.

The folk music orchestra uses ethnic musical instruments. Russian groups use the balalaika, button accordion, zhaleika, domra, etc.

The military orchestra includes performers who play percussion, as well as wind musical instruments, namely brass and wood. For example, on trumpets, trombones, serpents, clarinets, oboes, flutes, bassoons and others.

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, woodwinds 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 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, (note in the 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. 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 tom-toms. Possible keyboard instruments are piano, harpsichord, synthesizer (or organ) and harps. 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. Recently, garden music brass bands have been changing their composition, 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 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, 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

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.

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. 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 of 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 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 - 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 a special type of bass drum of African origin - the "Ethiopian (Kenyan) kick drum "(its sound is much softer than the 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 groups of a jazz orchestra 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 American countries, 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 teacher of primary music education. For musicians it is often the starting point of their future musical career.

Notes

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Synonyms:

• Personality type
• 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 of 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