The Development of the Orchestra

The Development of the Orchestra

The Baroque orchestra was a typically a string group. It used around

12 players, divided into first violins, second violins, violas and the

bass parts - cellos and double basses. This was often supported by an

instrument that could fill in the chords such as harpsichord or organ.

Sometimes the conductor would even conduct the orchestra whilst

playing the harpsichord from a figured bass line.

Occasionally instruments such as oboe and bassoon were used, and

sometimes flutes (used at times instead of oboes), recorders and horns

were added. During this time trumpets and timpani were inseparable,

and these were added if the music was ceremonial. Trumpets and horns

at this time had no valves and so could only play a limited series of

notes.

As music moved into the classical period the string section remained

the centre of the orchestra but the woodwind section grew to become an

important and permanent section. The harpsichord dropped out of use

and a new instrument was born into the orchestra, the clarinet. As the

harpsichord was no longer used the strings were require to fill out

the harmony unaided. Instead of both violins doubling the melody and

the violas, cellos and double basses all playing the bass line, there

were now four distinct parts. The clarinet was at first, like flute,

used instead of the oboe, but by 1800 the orchestra had become

standardised into the double-wind orchestra. This consisted of two

flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two

trumpets, timpani, first violins, second violins, violas, cellos and

double basses. The variety of instruments meant a wide range of tones

and colours could be achieved, which would in turn lead to the

romantic period.

Because the woodwind section had increased so much since the baroque

orchestra the string section also had to increase to balance the

sound. Many continued to increase as the venues for concerts were

getting bigger. In the baroque period many of the concerts took place

in house of the nobility but by the classical period they had moved to