Holger
Group: Members
Posts: 1506
Joined: Feb. 2003 |
|
Posted: May 29 2007, 10:59 |
|
Quote (Chicular @ May 24 2007, 10:50) | He says it will be an 86 piece orchestra, is that alot in terms of orchestral performance? |
No, it's not an awful lot. A standard orchestra has about 100 performers, and for some pieces, a lot more are needed, for example Mahler's Symphony No. 8, known as the "Symphony of a Thousand", or most of Richard Strauss' symphonic pieces.
From Wikipedia:
Quote | The typical symphony orchestra consists of four proportionate groups of similar musical instruments, generally appearing in the musical score in the following order (with proportions indicated):
* Woodwinds: piccolo, 2 flutes*, 2 oboes*, English horn, 2 clarinets*, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons*, contrabassoon * Brass: 2* to 8 French horns*, 2* to 5 trumpets*, 2 to 3 trombones, 1 to 2 bass trombones, tuba * Percussion: timpani*, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, celesta, piano, etc. * Strings: harp(s), 16 to 30 violins*, 8 to 12 violas*, 8 to 12 violoncellos*, and 5 to 8 double basses*.
Occasionally, an orchestra will feature notable wind ensemble instruments, such as the euphonium, the saxophone, the alto clarinet, and the baritone horn.
Instruments marked with an asterisk are considered the "core" symphonic instruments, and only in rarest of cases are not called for in most symphonic literature. Other instruments listed above are considered "auxiliary" instruments and are less frequently required, but still referred to as "standard". Late 19th-century symphonic works calling for all the auxiliary instruments, as well as a large number of strings, usually include the phrase "for large orchestra" in their full titles. Example: Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben. |
|