Is it that orchetras only consist of string instruments and symphonies consists of strings, winds, and percussion? And what about philharmonic orchestras and symphonies? An orchestra is a music ensemble: a group of musicians performing music. An orchestra in the "classical" sense, contains four distinct member groups: (1) strings(2) woodwinds(3)brass(4) percussion.
A symphony is a form of music, usually but not always, in four movements.
A "symphony orchestra" is an orchestra, whose repertoire is principally symphonic music.
The term "philharmonic" usually implies that some or all of the orchestras members, play without compensation.
In this country there were/are orchestras which are referred to as "the big five": Chicago Symphony orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Symphony orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic.
These names for the most part, are only traditional appellations, and carries very little significance in such connotations.
Wotan An orchestra is a musical ensemble. A symphony is a musical composition which is played by an orchestra.
A large, orchestral ensemble is called a symphony orchestra or philharmonic orchestra, but neither implies the exact number of instruments or type of instruments used.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchestra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony Orchestra is sort of the general name for large musical groups, but most people think of them as just strings. A symphony orchestra usually has intruments of all classical types (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion). Philharmonic literally means music lover, but is just another name for a symphony orchestra. Amazingly, the words "symphony" and "orchestra" are used slightly interchangeably among almost all musicians. Including me.
But let's make it clear just for you.....
The word "symphony" refers to two things.....
1. It is often short for "symphony orchestra", which is made generally of a large group of wind, percussion, string, and brass instruments, and.....
2. It is a musical term for a multimovement sonata for symphony orchestra. Some symphonies have only two movements, like Schubert's
"Unfinished". Some can have 5 movements.
Meanwhile...the word "orchestra" also has two meanings.
1. It is a general term for a large group of musicians divided into several musical families (e.g., a "brass section"). Examples of orchestras include big band, symphonic wind band (which only has percussion, wind, and brass and no strings), marching band, and ballroom orchestra.
2. In a theater that holds musicals, concerts, or operas, it means the few of the front row seats near the pit orchestra section, or the whole floor of seats at the same level that the
pit orchestra is in. orchestras are just strings... symphonies have more instruments...
i don't know about philharmonic though. |
