how many people are there in a full orchestra. please give additional infor, i will be garteful?

Question

what instruments are used in a full orchestra and what is the best enviroment for it.

Answer 1

alot!

In a full sized orchestra there can be up to 104 people!

The typical symphony orchestra consists of four proportionate groups of similar musical instruments, generally appearing in the musical score in the following order (with proportions indicated):

the woodwinds: 2 flutes*, piccolo, 2 oboes*, cor anglais, 2 clarinets*, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons*, contrabassoon

the brass: 2* to 6 horns*, 2* to 5 trumpets*, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba

the percussion: timpani*, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, celesta, piano, etc.

the strings: harp(s), 16 to 30 (or more) violins*, 8 to 12 (or more) violas*, 8 to 12 (or more) cellos*, and 5 to 8 (or more) double basses*.

Answer 2

A full orchestra is a bit of a vague term as there are infinite permutations depending upon what piece is being played. A full orchestra for a piece by Bach is traditionally much smaller and less varied than an orchestra that is needed for modern compositions such as Star Wars etc which can call for almost any instrument you can think of. The above answer is what is found in your 'standard' orchestra that plays 19th, early 20th century music.

A modern 'full' orchestra such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra or Sydney Symphony Orchestra usually have a core of full time players numbering 70 or more. They are then enhanced by casual musicians depending on the forces required. A certain piece may call for 12 trumpets so the orchestra may have to call in 8 odd extra players.

Orchestras can basically be as big as you like, as big as you can afford or as big as your stage. String sections can be as big as an entire orchestra from a different period. Many orchestras use 'double wind' to allow for huge string sections and loud brass sections in pieces by Mahler, Richard Strauss and Wagner. The British composer Havergal Brian uses a double orchestra in his First Symphony which is probably over 200 musicians. With every piece of percussion invented (except cannon, vacum cleaner and kitchen sink - I kid you not, they are classified as percussion instruments) orchestras grow or shrink depending on the madness of the composer.

As to the best environment it really is a matter of taste. Concert halls specially designed for orchestras are usually the best acoustic providing the clearest definition of sound. The best concert hall that I've ever sat in is the Philharmonie in Cologne. Amazing. You could here everything. From anywhere in the hall. The home of the Berlin Phil is meant to be fairly impressive as is Chicago Symphony's home. But again, there are dead areas in even the best halls. Apparently caves underground provide an eerily good acoustic as well.