As we get older, we want to seem more knowledgeable, I think. I frequent the theater, visit art galleries, and even attended an opera in LA once. So, when one of my friends asked if I wish to join him for a symphony orchestra event I kinda had to scratch my head. It sounded redundant, and I know orchestras play classical music, but is it always a symphony?
Let’s start with the fundamentals and you will soon see the proper names for different events. A full orchestra is a musical ensemble comprising string, woodwind, brass, percussion instruments, or pretty much every instrument one can conceive of to play Beethoven. From large to small based on the number of musicians:
The symphony orchestra is over 50, but often over 100 musicians,
The chamber orchestra is under 50 musicians,
The pit orchestra is of various-sized subsets for a play or opera.
Now that we have assembled our ensemble, whatever shall they play? A symphony is the music played; a large-scale musical composition, usually requiring 50-80 instruments. The classical composers of symphonies include Bach, Wagner, and Brahms, with more modern-day composers including John Adams and Jennifer Higdon.
So, an orchestra plays the symphony. Now we add the extra wrinkle – how does a philharmonic fit in? A symphony and philharmonic play the same music, but they have different names so you can have multiple performers in the same city. Essentially, a “symphony orchestra” is a generic term, whereas “philharmonic orchestra” is always part of a proper name. NYC, Vienna, London, and Boston are all cities with both a philharmonic and a symphony orchestra.
Just remember: Every symphony is performed by an orchestra, but not every orchestra plays a symphony.
If Only Extra: Ever heard of a Pops Orchestra? Not based on size, it’s based on the music. So, when the orchestra plays popular, light classical music, jazz, or Broadway show tunes to appeal to a larger audience, it’s Pops. The term “pops” dates back to 1885 and the Boston Pops Orchestra that played current popular music. Nowadays, most orchestras play pop series for a little variety.