Whats the diffrance between a phillamonic and symphony orchestra?

Answer 1

"Orchestra" has been used in a generic sense to mean any large grouping of instrumentalists.

Orchestras may be further categorized into a number of sub-types, including philharmonic, theatre orchestras, symphony or concert orchestras, string orchestras, chamber orchestras, sinfonia, sinfonietta, café or salon orchestras, radio orchestras, studio orchestras and others.

The 2 terms describe very similar organizations. But depends on the name they choose, it also classifies their organization's muscial intensions and mission focus.

"Philharmonic" (Philharmonia or Philarmonia) is a term widely used for musical organizations. Or literally means loving melody.

"Symphony Orchestra" is a large orchestra of winds, strings, and percussion that plays symphonic works.

Answer 2

A full size orchestra (about 100 players) may sometimes be called a "symphony orchestra" or "philharmonic orchestra"; these prefixes do not necessarily indicate any strict difference in either the instrumental constitution or role of the orchestra, but can be useful to distinguish different ensembles based in the same city (for instance, the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra). A symphony orchestra will usually have over eighty musicians on its roster, in some cases over a hundred, but the actual number of musicians employed in a particular performance may vary according to the work being played, and the size of the venue. A leading chamber orchestra might employ as many as fifty members; some are much smaller than that.

Answer 3

Well before we start we'll just correct the spelling if you don't mind. 'What's the difference between a philharmonic and a symphony orchestra?'
Answer: Well none really they're just names for ease of identification. Symphony orchestras don't necessarily just play symphonies. I believe London has a Symph and a Phil doesn't it? (I'm from Australia so I'm not too sure)
By the way, philharmonic is just a word meaning 'nice harmonies'

Answer 4

Nothing!It;s just the names!
They play the same notes,they are like each other,they have the same instruments and...
But a Symphony Orchestra is for a city or a place and a Philharmonic is for a country.Philharmonic is better and bigger.It is in high level.

Answer 5

The Concertgebow Orchestra
The Orchestre de la Radio et Television Francaise
The Orchestra of St. Martin-in-the Fields.
The Dresden Staatskapelle.
The Philadelphia Orchestra.

All symphonic and philarmonic orchestras.

What's in a name??

Answer 6

There is no musical difference between the two names except as a means of identification.

Actually, the use of the two names (symphony and philharmonic) started out as a way to distinguish between the two London orchestras (1930's). One group of patrons adopted the name philharmonic (literally "music lover" from: French-philharmonique ; It-filarmonico by way of Greek- philos-"loving" and harmonika-"harmony or music) as a way to garner support and raise money for "their" favorite orchestra in London and not be confused with the London Symphony Orchestra.

CC-See edit above!!


Musician,composer,teacher.

Answer 7

None.
A philharmonic society is an organisation set up to appreciate music and, if it has an orchestra, that's known by the same name. So the Liverpool Philharmonic Society has the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra - which is actually a symphony orchestra.

Answer 8

Bearcat is quite right -- just his Greek is a bit rusty -- whereas 'Philharmonic' means 'concord or consonance loving', symphonic means 'sounding together'. The 'philharmonic' got more readily adopted by patrons of such societies founding orchestras, just as Bearcat describes, because it described *their* motives; the 'symphonic' epithet rather bluntly pinpoints what an orchestra actually *does*.

It has nothing to do with the nature or actual composition of the ensembles themselves, which in that regard are identical.

Answer 9

They're just the names of orchestras but there's no difference in the music!

Answer 10

Philharmonic and Symphony are the same