Symphony Orchestra
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An orchestra (; OR-ki-strə) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typically four main sections of instruments:
String instruments, such as the violin, viola, cello, and double bass
Woodwinds, such as the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and occasional saxophone
Brass instruments, such as the French horn (commonly simply known as the "horn"), trumpet, trombone, cornet, and tuba, and sometimes euphonium
Percussion instruments, such as the timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, tam-tam and mallet percussion instruments
Other instruments such as the piano, harpsichord, pipe organ, and celesta may sometimes appear in a fifth keyboard section or may stand alone as soloist instruments, as may the concert harp and, for performances of some modern compositions, electronic instruments, and guitars.
A full-size Western orchestra may sometimes be called a symphony orchestra or philharmonic orchestra (from Greek phil-, "loving", and "harmony"). The number of musicians employed in a given performance may vary from seventy to over one hundred, depending on the work being played and the venue size. A chamber orchestra (sometimes a concert orchestra) is a smaller ensemble of not more than about fifty musicians. Orchestras that specialize in the Baroque music of, for example, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, or Classical repertoire, such as that of Haydn and Mozart, tend to be smaller than orchestras performing a Romantic music repertoire such as the symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms. The typical orchestra grew in size throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, reaching a peak with the large orchestras of as many as 120 players called for in the works of Richard Wagner and later Gustav Mahler.
Orchestras are usually led by a conductor who directs the performance with movements of the hands and arms, often made easier for the musicians to see by using a short wooden rod known as a conductor's baton. The conductor unifies the orchestra, sets the tempo, and shapes the sound of the ensemble. The conductor also prepares the orchestra by leading rehearsals before the public concert, in which the conductor provides instructions to the musicians on their interpretation of the music being performed.
The leader of the first violin section – commonly called the concertmaster – also plays an important role in leading the musicians. In the Baroque music era (1600–1750), orchestras were often led by the concertmaster, or by a chord-playing musician performing the basso continuo parts on a harpsichord or pipe organ, a tradition that some 20th-century and 21st-century early music ensembles continue.
Orchestras play a wide range of repertoire, including symphonies, opera and ballet overtures, concertos for solo instruments, and pit ensembles for operas, ballets, and some types of musical theatre (e.g., Gilbert and Sullivan operettas).
Amateur orchestras include youth orchestras made up of students from an elementary school, a high school, or a university, and community orchestras; typically they are made up of amateur musicians from a particular city or region.
The term orchestra derives from the Greek ὀρχήστρα (orchestra), the name for the area in front of a stage in ancient Greek theatre reserved for the Greek chorus.
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- Petrushka Suite: I. the Shrove-Tide Fair: The Crowds - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Petrushka Suite: I. the Magic Trick - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Petrushka Suite: III. Russian Dance - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Petrushka Suite: IV. Petrushka’s Room - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Petrushka Suite: V. the Moor’s Room - Feroce Stringendo - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Petrushka Suite: VI. the Shrovetide Fair (Toward Evening) - Con Moto - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Petrushka Suite: VII. the Wet Nurses’ Dance - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Petrushka Suite: VIII. Dance of the Coachmen and the Grooms - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Petrushka Suite: IX. the Masqueraders - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Pulcinella Suite, K034b: V. Toccata - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Pulcinella Suite, K034b: VI. Gavotta (Con Due Variazioni) - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Pulcinella Suite, K034b: VII. Vivo - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Pulcinella Suite, K034b: VIII. Minuetto - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Pulcinella Suite, K034b: VIII. Finale - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau I L’hiver, Op. 67: Scène De L’hiver - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau I L’hiver, Op. 67: Variation 1 (The Frost) - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau I L’hiver, Op. 67: Variation 2 (The Ice) - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau I L’hiver, Op. 67: Variation 3 (The Hail) - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau I L’hiver, Op. 67: Variation 4 (The Snow) - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau II - Le Printemps, Op. 67: Entrée de Printemps, Zéphyre, les Fées des fleurs, les oiseaux et les fleurs - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Season, Tableau III - L’été, Op. 67: Scène De L’été - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Season, Tableau III - L’été, Op. 67: Waltz of the Cornflowers and Poppies - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Season, Tableau III - L’été, Op. 67: La Barcarolle – Entrée Des Naïades, Le Satyres Et Des Faunes - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau IV - L’automne, Op. 67: Grande Bacchanale Des Saison - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau IV - L’automne, Op. 67: Petit Adagio - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- The Seasons, Tableau IV - L’automne, Op. 67: Variation Du Satyre - Stravinsky & Glazunov: Petrushka Suite, K012 - Pulcinella Suite, K034b - The Seasons, OP. 67 - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in G Major, M.83: I. Allegramente - 1932 - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in G Major, M.83: II. Adagio assai - 1932 - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in G Major, M.83: III. Presto - 1932 - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 127, Op. 127: I. Très vif - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 127: II. Mouvement de barcarolle - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 127: III. Finale (Animé) - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Automne, Op. 115: No. 2. Alfama - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Saudades do Brazil, Op. 67: No. 12. Paysandu - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Two Arabesques, CD 74: I. Andantino con moto - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Two Arabesques, CD 74: II. Allegretto scherzando - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Estampes, CD 108: III. Jardins sous la pluie - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- La Plus que Lente (valse), CD 128 - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in G Major, M.83: I. Allegramente - 1952 - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in G Major, M.83: II. Adagio assai - 1952 - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in G Major, M.83: III. Presto - 1952 - Ravel, Milhaud & Debussy: Piano Concerto in G - Piano Concerto No. 1- Short pieces - Symphony Orchestra
- Tristan und Isolde, WWV 90: Liebestod (Arr. for Violin, Piano and Orchestra) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Waltz No. 15 in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 (Remastered) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Kinderszenen, Op. 15: No. 7, Träumerei (Remastered) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2 (Remastered) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Prelude in D Minor, Op. 23, No. 3 (Remastered) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Prelude In E-Flat Major, Op. 23, No. 6 (Remastered) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Prelude in G Major, Op. 32, No. 5 (Remastered) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Gayane Ballet Suite: Sabre Dance (Remastered) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Gayane Ballet Suite: Lullaby (Remastered) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Billy the Kid - Piano Arrangement (Remastered): I. The Open Prairie - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Billy the Kid - Piano Arrangement (Remastered): II. Street Scene in a Frontier Town: a) Cowboys amble by - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Billy the Kid - Piano Arrangement (Remastered): V. Celebration Dance (after Billy's Capture) - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Blue Plate Special - Oscar Levant Plays the Music of German, Russian and American Composers (Remastered) - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in F Major: I. Allegro - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- 3 Preludes (Remastered): I. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 No. 2 (Remastered): I. Adagio sostenuto - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Etude No. 5 in G-Flat Major, Op. 10, No. 5 "Black Key Etude" (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in F Major: II. Adagio - Andante con moto - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- 3 Preludes (Remastered): II. Andante con moto e poco rubato - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 No. 2 (Remastered): II. Allegretto - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in F Major: III. Allegro agitato - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- 3 Preludes (Remastered): III. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 No. 2 (Remastered): III. Presto agitato - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Rhapsody in Blue - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Préludes, Livre 1, L. 117: V. Les collines d'Anacapri. Tres modéré (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2: II. Tempo di Menuetto (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Second Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Estampes, L. 100: III. Jardins sous la pluie - Net et vif (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 "Pathetique": II. Adagio cantabile (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- I Got Rhythm Variations for Piano And Orchestra (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Six Short Études, Op. 19 (Remastered): No. 1 - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Tristan und Isolde, WWV 90: Liebestod (Arr. for Violin, Piano and Orchestra) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Six Short Études, Op. 19 (Remastered): No. 2 - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Waltz No. 15 in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- 24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 2 in A Minor (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Kinderszenen, Op. 15: No. 7, Träumerei (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- The Age of Gold - Suite, Op. 22a: III. Polka (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2 (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Etude No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 10, No. 4 (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Sonatine, M. 40: II. Mouvement de menuet (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Prelude in D Minor, Op. 23, No. 3 (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Sonatina: I. Con ritmo (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Prelude In E-Flat Major, Op. 23, No. 6 (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Fire Dance (From "El amor brujo") [Remastered] - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Prelude in G Major, Op. 32, No. 5 (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Malagueña (From Suite "Andalucia") [Remastered] - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Gayane Ballet Suite: Sabre Dance (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- L'Eventail de Jeane - Pastourelle (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Gayane Ballet Suite: Lullaby (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Children's Corner, L. 113: 6. Golliwog's Cake-walk (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Billy the Kid - Piano Arrangement (Remastered): I. The Open Prairie - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Préludes, Livre 1, L. 117: VIII. La fille aux cheveux de lin (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Billy the Kid - Piano Arrangement (Remastered): II. Street Scene in a Frontier Town: a) Cowboys amble by - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Suite bergamasque, L. 75: 3. Clair de lune (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Billy the Kid - Piano Arrangement (Remastered): V. Celebration Dance (after Billy's Capture) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Mouvements perpétuels, FP 14 (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Blue Plate Special - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- El sombrero de tres picos, Suite No. 2: Danza del molinero No. 2 (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- España, Op. 165: 2. Tango (Remastered) - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: I. Praeludium - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: II. Allemande - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: IV. Sarabande - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: V. Menuet I & II - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
- Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: VI. Gigue - A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant - Symphony Orchestra
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