Talk:Orchestra

Archives (Index)

2013 2014 2015 2017 2019 2020

This page is archived by ClueBot III.

Baroque orchestra

"In the Baroque era, the size and composition of an orchestra was not standardised. There were large differences in size, instrumentation and playing styles—and therefore in orchestral soundscapes and palettes — between the various European regions. The Baroque orchestra ranged from smaller orchestras (or ensembles) with one player per part, to larger scale orchestras with many players per part. Examples of the smaller variety were Bach's orchestras, for example in Koethen, where he had access to an ensemble of up to 18 players. Examples of large scale Baroque orchestras would include Corelli's orchestra in Rome which ranged between 35 and 80 players for day-to-day performances, being enlarged to 150 players for special occasions"

Problems:

• Reading this passage, one might imply that baroque orchestras ranged in size from about 18 to 150. That's absurd. 3 to 60 would be more accurate.
• A key point about the baroque orchestra is that music was rarely written specifically for a large group and there just was no clear divide between chamber music and orchestral music. Many works could be performed by 3 players (2 violins, bass) including Corelli's concerti grossi. Venetian polychoral style was influential and concerti could be played with ripieno or capella or without expanded forces. "non-grosso" Concerti for soloists and strings were frequently performed by groups of 6...10...13 people in courtly chamber settings. Massive orchestras were rare occurences throughout Europe. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A01:598:92B7:E5A0:9023:1B3B:4707:E4A0 (talk) 02:34, 28 May 2022 (UTC)