Every connoisseur of classical music sooner or later wonders: what is a chamber orchestra. How is it, in fact, different from a symphonic one? The article will consider the main criteria of such musical groups and their contribution to the development of classical music.
History of creation
Chamber orchestras became popular at the turn of the 17-18th centuries, at the peak of the development of classical music. This is due to the fact that concerts in large halls and arenas were a very rare event, moreover, such a number of musicians as in symphony orchestras could not be gathered at all - only great composers could afford it. You can find out what a chamber orchestra is only by comparing it with a real big symphony.
The main differences between a chamber orchestra and a symphony
- Number of participants and tool pairs. Large symphony orchestras are famous for having a huge number of participants. Basically, there are about 50, and sometimes reaches 100 or more. In addition, in symphony orchestras, instruments are duplicated and sound in unison. For ordinary music lovers, this only affects the volume of the overall work when playing on stage. In fact, two violinists playing the same composition will perform it a little differently. Even two virtuosos playing the same instrument have a different playing style. The human factor affects the finished melody. The one who does nothing does not make mistakes - this rule also applies in music. Pairs of identical instruments give color and brightness to the sound. And what is a chamber orchestra? This is a small number of participants and single instruments, sounding one after another. The parts are strictly separated by instruments, and the overall composition already belongs to a new genre - chamber music.
- The presence of only stringed instruments. Yes, the composition of the instruments of a chamber orchestra is limited to strings (winds are less often added), while the symphony orchestras involve a wide variety of types: strings, winds, percussion and others. Therefore, chamber music is limited by strict boundaries - the sound of only stringed instruments is monotonous, but has its own unique style.
- Performances in small rooms. This restriction is again based on a stripped-down ensemble. Chamber orchestras were successful only in the courtyards of eminent dukes or nobles. A larger ensemble - a larger hall and a stately scene.
To summarize: what is a chamber orchestra? This is a small team performing songs in the same genre in small rooms.
Gradual decline in popularity
Unfortunately, at the beginning of the 19th century, most famous chamber orchestras lost their popularity. The reason for this was the creation of large symphony orchestras. Large orchestras sounded brighter and looked more impressive. Of course, the listener was drawn to a more magnificent performance and interesting variety in the choice of instruments.
The definition of what a chamber orchestra and chamber music began to be forgotten, introducing new colors into the composition. Newer combinations of instruments were invented at that time, and the popularity of symphonic performance increased. At the same time, the demand for chamber music was falling.
Chamber orchestra today
Today, even after the abolition of many chamber groups, almost every state has its own chamber orchestra. In Russia, such a team is called "Moscow Virtuosos"; it often manifests itself during state celebrations and when traveling abroad.
Chamber music left a huge mark in the works of many contemporary composers and performers.
A great example is the rock band from Finland Apocalyptica. These musicians play essentially chamber music, observing all the traditions of the chamber orchestra: a team of 4 people, three of which play only on strings. They gained immense popularity due to the replay of famous compositions of the most striking metal bands, including Metallica, Rammstein, Slipknot and others.
Conclusion
Today you learned something new from the old. The era of chamber orchestras has long passed, but the influence exerted by them remains enormous. We hope that if you are now asked what it is - a chamber orchestra, you will find the most detailed and correct answer.