Symphony orchestra: formation and development.

Symphony orchestra: formation and development.

It is difficult to imagine a person who has never heard a symphony orchestra. So what is it? When did the orchestra appear and was it always like this? How many tools should be included in its composition and is it possible to change it?

First of all, look at any explanatory dictionary. The very first definition we meet is “a group of musicians for the performance of academic music”. Perhaps, a rather modest and extensive definition of such a thing as an orchestra is rather a whole state that has developed over the centuries, with its own laws and orders, and it is governed by a wise mentor, the conductor. It can also be said that the orchestra is like a living organism, which sensitively catches the most subtle musical emotions in a work and interacts very accurately and dexterously both within itself and with the public. In order to answer these and other questions in detail, it is necessary to turn to history.

A bit of history

First of all, it should be noted that the word "orchestra" dates back to the times of ancient Greece, where the orchestra was called the theater stage where the performance was held. A few centuries later this word is already called theater premises to accommodate performers. Only later they began to call music ensembles. Of course, groups of musicians existed at all times, for example, in history there is a mention dated back to the 1st century AD. e., about a religious festival in Palestine. The historian I. Flavius ​​in the "Jewish Antiquities" describing this event, notes that it was attended by 20,000 singers, the same number of performers on the trumpet and harp. It is difficult to even imagine this amazing view.

The beginning of the formation of a symphony orchestra refers only to the XVI-XVII centuries, in the times of new genres of music: opera, ballet, oratorio, and also the formation of a new homophonic-harmonic warehouse in music. Researchers mark the end of the 16th century as a turning point when they invented the violin, which was immediately included in the orchestra and supplanted its predecessor, the viol. The sound and virtuosity of the new instruments will later define the whole orchestral style. The second such boundary is considered to be the end of the XIX century, when wind instruments were improved.

The orchestra all this time gradually developed, sensitively following new directions and genres in music, only by the end of the XVIII century a small composition was established. It was for such a composition that the famous Viennese classics, J. Haydn and W. Mozart, wrote their masterpieces. During the time of L. Beethoven’s creativity, the “classical” composition was fully established, and during the Romantic era, when program music reigns, the orchestra acquires even more improved forms, the string group expands and wind instruments are added, thus completing the formation of the main groups.

Types of symphony orchestra

The classical composition includes a group of strings (no more than 20), woodwinds (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons) and brass in the form of 2 trumpets and 2 (rarely 4) horns, from the percussion group included only timpani.

The large orchestra is significantly expanded by a copper band that includes up to 5 pipes, from 3 to 5 trombones, up to 8 horns and a tuba. The wooden brass band has been expanded to 5 instruments of each family, including their varieties. The string group can be increased to 60 instruments, the same applies to the shock group, which already includes, in addition to the timpani, the small and big drums, cymbals, triangles, bells. Often involved the harp, piano and harpsichord.

Is it possible to change tools?

Of course, often the intention of the composition provides for the emergence of a reinforced hue or new paint, and then the composer introduces a new instrument, increases or decreases the composition. It is enough to cite as an example the PI overture. Tchaikovsky's "1812" is a grandiose work, in which the composer adds bells for enhanced solemn effect, cannon volleys in the finale and a second orchestra - brass are also provided.

An orchestra is not just a "group of musicians" - it is a complex organism in which every cell is important, a component where a special role is assigned to each group, instrument. So that the public could enjoy the masterpieces of classical music performed by a symphony orchestra.