 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-05-04 18:59
David,
Interesting question. My Webster's dictionary defines it simply as "a group of musicians", which leaves plenty of latitude for interpretation.
When I played with a symphony orchestra I certainly thought of it as an orchestra. When I played in a jazz quartet I did not think of it as an orchestra, even though we were a "group of musicians".
Hans
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-05-04 19:25
I looked in what small and "medium" sized dicts which I have, and found orch being used to describe both places and groups [usually including strings, quite all-inclusive of musical events and locations. And then there are "string-bands", dance orchestras, [no strings?]. Soooo ? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: kal
Date: 2005-05-04 21:34
My understanding has always been that an orchestra is comprised of only winds and percussion, while a symphony (or 'symphony orchestra') results from the addition of strings (the Greek root sym meaning 'together'). Guess someone oughta tell Brian Setzer...
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-05-04 23:38
Oxford Dictionary: orchestra n. 1 large group of instrumentalists combining strings, woowinds, brass, and percussion. 2 (in full orchestra pit) part of a theatre etc. where the orchestra plays, usu. in front of the stage and on a lower level.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-05-05 00:44
anyone for "Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra," as it was known in the 1940s
In fact, pretty much every big band (armstrong, basie, goodman, henderson, etc. etc.) called itself an "Orchestra"
so, David B., I guess you are missing something...
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-05-05 01:10
Bumberg said:
So just the term Orchestra is not enough, has to be Symphony Orchestra
I don't think this is the case, the main professional orchestra in Brisbane is called, simply, The Queensland Orchestra.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-05 12:54
So then what is a Philharmonic, Philharmonia, and Philharmonic Orchestra? What do these terms even MEAN? I've always thrown around these terms when naming ensembles but never understood in the slightest.
So in theory my clarinet quartet could be called a Clarinet Orchestra?
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Author: William
Date: 2005-05-05 14:31
I used to play with a local group called the "New Original Hyperion Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra" which played music mainly from the 1920-30s era. Jelly Roll Morton, Scott Joplin, early ragtime, etc. We had three saxes/clarinet, two trumpets, two trombones, bass, piano and set--plus two violins and two cellos. (I had a great clarinet solo in, "If I Could Shimmy Like my Sister Kate") The "orchestra" was quite poplular from its fromation in 1977 until the late 1980's, having a "steady" Wed-Fri-Sat gig at a downtown Madison, Wi french resturant for four of those years as well as frequent "out of town" performances in Minneapolis (we played for the grand opening of the Gutherie Theator), Milwaukee and Chicago. We often called our selves an dance orchestra, but never a "symphony" orchestra.
BTW, what is a "philharmonic" orchestra? One that fills the hall with harmonics????????
Bottom line--it's only a "name" game, designed to impress the public.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2005-05-05 15:36
I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned chamber orchestras.
But, back to reflecting on the original question, when someone lists "playing in an orchestra" as one of the top 50 things to do in life at least once, I suspect that playing in a wind ensemble or jazz band or other serious musical group would be essentially equivalent. At least I know that if I got to play in a jazz band on the Today show I would consider it to be more than enough. (I'd also be nervous as heck.)
Reflecting on another aspect, how might a non-musician ever have a chance to play in an orchestra? One way would be to convince them to let you play bells for the 1812 Overture. (The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra once auctioned off such an opportunity.) Or, to join the military and be asked to fire off artillery during the same piece.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-05-05 16:12
Orchestra (n.): "A diverse group of musicians ostensibly playing the same written piece of music at the same time."
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-05-05 18:58
Dave, Your dict. could have included "in cooperation and harmony", Very short and sweet tho, TKS, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-05-05 20:38
Don,
I wish cooperation and harmony existed in all orchestras! Such is not always the case.........thus my use of the word "ostensibly".
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-05-05 21:47
harmonic being an adjective, hence related to harmony
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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