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An orchestra can be defined as a large group or ensemble of instruments. Although what we think of as the modern orchestra was basically created in response to the compositions of 19th-century composers such as Wagner, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky, the origins of this modern orchestra may be found in the 16th century. By the 18th century, most orchestras included a string section along with a few winds and a harpsichord, but it was in the 19th century that the orchestra really came into its own.
The modern orchestra is very large in comparison to its predecessors in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, sometimes comprising 100 or more players. The basic instrument families and their members are as follows:
The Strings: The string family of instruments are all made of wood with strings attached, and it is in fact the strings which produce their sound. The violin is the smallest and highest in pitch range, followed by the viola, then the cello, and finally the double bass, which is as tall as many of its players. The harp is in a category by itself, but with its many strings ranging in pitch through several octaves, it is still considered part of the string family.
The string section of a modern orchestra will likely include:
Violin I (or First Violins): 16
Violin II (or Second Violins): 16
Violas: 12
Celli (the plural of Cello or Violincello): 10
Double Basses: 8
Harps: 2
The Woodwinds: The woodwind family of instruments are all made of wood, with the exception of most flutes and piccolos (which are made of metal), and their sound is produced through an enclosed column of air. The timbre of each member of the woodwind family is unique, depending primarily on the type of mouthpiece of the instrument in question (whether single or double reed, mouth-hole, etc.)
The woodwind section of a modern orchestra will probably include:
Flutes: 3
Piccolo: 1
Oboes: 3
Clarinets: 3
Bass Clarinet: 3
Bassoons: 3
Double Bassoon: 1
The Brass: The brass family of instruments are all made of brass, and their sound is also produced through an enclosed column of air. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of the brass family is its cup-shaped mouthpiece.
The brass section of a modern orchestra will likely include:
French Horns: 6
Trumpets: 4
Trombones: 4
Tuba: 1
Percussion: The percussion family of instruments is the largest of all the orchestral families, and its representation in any orchestra is specifically designated by the compositions being performed. (For example, not all orchestral compositions may call for a celesta or triangle, and thus these instruments do not always appear onstage.) The percussion family is generally characterized by instruments that produce their sounds by striking or shaking elements of the instrument together.
The percussion section of a modern orchestra will probably include:
Tympani: 3
Bass Drum: 1
Side drum: 1
Glockenspiel: 1
Cymbals: 1
Triangle: 1
Chimes: 1
Xylophones: 1
Celesta: 1
Piano: 1
(And other percussion instruments as specified by the composition in question)
Although in centuries past, the orchestra would have been conducted or led by the first violinist (today's concertmaster) or harpsichordist, the modern orchestra is directed by a conductor.
Introductory suggestions for listening to orchestral music through the ages:
Baroque:
Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, c. 1720
Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: "Spring", c. 1725
Classical:
Mozart, Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, c. 1788
Haydn, Symphony No. 94 in G Major ("The Surprise"), 1791
19th Century:
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, 1808
Richard Strauss, Don Juan, 1889
20th Century:
Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring, 1913
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5, 1937
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