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Orchestra

 
 

Description of Orchestra

 
Orchestras can be understood as large instrumental ensembles, and usually include a diversity of instrument families: percussion, winds, strings, and brass. In the West, the orchestra grew in earnest beginning with the early Baroque era in the seventeenth century, and reached its peak in size to meet the epic compositions of nineteenth century Romantic era writers such as Liszt and Wagner. Composers from Igor Stravinsky to John Adams used orchestras of varying sizes throughout the twentieth century, until a late-century movement in favor of historically accurate performing practices made smaller orchestras playing period instruments more common for Baroque and Classical Era compositions.
 

Orchestra Key Tracks

 
Play/Add All
Play/Add Track Artist
1. Introduzione - Andante non troppo; Allegro vivace Bela Bartok
2. Pavane pour une infante defunte Maurice Ravel
3. Simple Gifts New York Philharmonic
4. Finlandia, Op. 26 Jean Sibelius
5. Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune Claude Debussy
 

Filed Under

 
Classical  >  Performer  >  Orchestra
 

Orchestra Key Artists

 
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

This highly recorded British
chamber orchestra under
the baton of Neville
Marriner performs a
diversity of music.

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

The BBC Philharmonic is an
adventurous radio-type
orchestra based in
Manchester with a history
dating back to 1922.

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Now led by Claudio Abaddo,
the Berlin Philharmonic's
sound is highly polished,
articulate, and impassioned.

Berliner Philharmoniker

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1881 and
recording since 1917, this
premier American
orchestra has known
conductors such as Kouss...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Midwestern symphony of
world renown. Conductors
have included Dvorak,
Strauss, commissioned
works by Stravinsky, and...

Cleveland Orchestra

This solid orchestra of the
Midwest has in recent
decades been led by both
Lorin Maazel and Christoph
von Dohnanyi.

London Philharmonic Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony
began life under famed
conductor Hans Richter and
gained universal
recognition for recording...

New York Philharmonic

Since 1842 this orchestra
has fed the diverse cultural
life of it's city. It's home is
Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln
Center. The Philharmonic'...

Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra
came to fame in the 1930s
through radio and touring
under the baton of Leopold
Stokowski.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

First organized by
conductor Sir Thomas
Beecham, the Royal
Philharmonic has become a
focal point of London's cu...

San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Progressive orchestra led
by Michael Tilson Thomas
which promotes the best of
contemporary music, as
well as the classics.

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

This orchestra of Austria's
cultural capital has been
extant since 1842,
performing primarily
traditional repertoire.

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