The symphony orchestra [series]

Title

Creator

Osbon, Bert Paul

Language

English

Source

The Young Citizen 5 (5) May 1939

Year

1939

Subject

Symphony orchestras

Musical performance

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

172 THE YOUNG CITIZEN May, 1939 MUSIC APPRECIATION SECTION The Symphony Orchestra By BERT PAUL OSBON• (Continued from the April number) V. THE SEATING PLAN OTME:R TYMPANI DERC U$510N TUBA FIQST VIOLINS CONCER.~~} MASTER. INSTRU,.lNT5 VIOL.INS HARPS Seating Plan of the Orchestra WE are told by Harold D. Smith in a book called Instruments of the Orchestra. that "the orchestra takes its -name from the place it occupies in the modern theatre. In the· theatre of the ancient Greeks, the orchestra was the semi-circular danciJJg space for the chorus, between the audience and the stage. Early in the nineteenth century the name of the plaee . [or"'Formerly Supervfaor of Public School Music, Mount J~cbanon, 'Fittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. chestra] was given to the group of musicians 'vho occupied it." The development of modern orchestral music dates largely from the performance of the first ope1·a at Florence, Italy, i:n the year 1600, although it was Haydn who later arranged the symphony orchestra largely as it is t(\day. If i·ou have read carefully the articles about the symphony orchestra which have appeared in The Young Citizen during the last few months, you have a good general 1'1ay, 1939 THE YOUNG CITIZEN 173 idea 0f the sections of the symphony orchestra. You will remember, perhaps, that these are (1) the string section (the most important), (2) the woodwind section, (3) the brass wind section, and ( 4) the percussion .e.ection. Now let us. examine the diagram on page 172 which "illustrates the usual seating plan of the symphony orchestra. Some conductors c:nange this a'rrang~ment slightly, but in gene"'! this is. the usual plan. In the !irst of these articles there was a diagram of the seating plan of the string Bection; this diagram is now included in the seating plan of the entire orchestra. Notice. that all the string instruments-except the double-basses~are place~ in the front part of the orchestra. The first violins are always at the left of the conductor as he faces his players, with the concert master at his immediate left. Generally the second violins are just opposite on the right of the conductor. The violonoellos are usually-but not always-behind the first violins, and the violas are frequently-but not always-behind the second violins. The eight oi- ten ponderous double-basses are on the left side and at the rear of the orchestra. The one or two harps are placed near the front wherever the conductor wishes them. Now examine the location of the woodwind section. All woodwind instruments are in the center of the orchestra, with the smaller instruments-flutes and piccolo-in front. Behind the flutes are the oboes and the clarinets, while the bassoons are usually farther back, because they produce lower, deeper tones. The brasswind instruments are placed well toward the rear of the orchestra. The French horns are near the w~odwinds, because the tone of the French horn blends well wit:t, the tone of woodwinds. Notice that the trumpets and trombones are near io each other, while the tuba is near the trombones, but behind the other instruments of the orchestra on account of its deep, heavy tone. The tympani (kettle drums) and other percuSsfon instruments are Usually placed in the rear of the orchestra. However, if a ce·iesta is used it is placed somewhere near the front of the orchestra. The following table shows the number of instruments generally used in .a symphony orchestra of about one hundred players. Write these numbers on the seating plan. on page 172. There are usually 18 first violins, 16 second violins, 14 violas, 12 'Cellos, 8 to 10 double-basses, 1 or 2 harps, 1 piccolo, 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 1 English horn, 3 clarinets, 1 bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, 1 contr.abassoon, 3 or more trumpets, 4 French horns, 3 trombones, I tuba, 1 pair of tympani (soinetimes 3 or more), 1 bass drum, 1 snare drum, 1 each of triangle, cymbals, bells, and oth~r instruments of percussion, several of which are often played by one player. Other percussion instruments ..are used if called for in the music. This is true of t~e saxoplione, the· small trumpet, and a few . other instruments .. which are used only when the composer of the music wishes them used. (Please turn to page 180.) 180 SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (Continued f1·om page 173) The Score The m u s i c which the players read while performing is called the score. Each player has before him only the music for his own instrument, but the conductor's score contains all the parts exactly as each one appears before each player, so that the conduct.or can tell just what each performer is supposed to be playing at any given moment. Some of these parts are transposed (the trumpet a n d t h e clarinet are transposing instruments) , and some are written with other clef signs than the familiar treble and bass clef signs. The viola, the 'cello, and the bassoon use various clef signs, such as the treble clef, the alto clef, the tenor clef, or the bass clef. All in "ll• the business of conducting a symphony orchestra is, indeed, a very complex affair. Some modern conductors memorize entire THE YOUNG CITIZEN scores of long compositions, and this, when actually done, requires a gigantic intellect. The pupil who is interested in the symphony orchestra is now advised to study the articles about the symphony orchestra which were printed in previous issues of The Young Citizen, and to memorize the names of the instruments in each section. Then study and copy the general seating plan as given on page 172. In further articles to be published each instrument will be discussed briefly. (To be c~ntinUed) CROSS-WORD PUZZLE May, 1939 HOW TO HAVE GOOD GOOD TEETH (Continued from pa,ge 175) Other Permanent Teeth. As the second teeth develop and begin to take their place, be especially eareful that the first teeth are removed neither too early nor too late. The greatest number of first molars are lost from one or two causes: Either the parents fail to recognize this important tooth as a permanent tooth, or the child is afraid to have " dentist take care of it. It is important that the child visit a good dentist during the entire period when the permanent teeth are appearing. • (To be continued) SOME BIRD RIDDLES (Answers from page 161) I. Calao or hornbill II. Crow III. Oriole IV. Hawk V. Woodpecker. PARTS OF YOUR BODY (Answers from page 171) 1. Palm 3. Hare (hair) 2. Trunk -4. I (eye) · COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES Df>partment of Public Works and Communications Manila SWORN STATEMENT (Required by Act. 2580) The undersigned, Community Publishers, Inc., publishe:· and owner of THE YOUNG CITIZEN. published monthly in Manila, Philippines, after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby submits the follQwing statement of ownership, management, etc. which is required by Act 2580: Editorial Dfrector, Jose E. Romero; Managing Editor, Bert Paul Osbon; Business Manager~ E. G. Rosales; Owr.er an(l Publisher, Community Publishers, Inc. Owners or stockholders holding one per cent Ol' more of total amount of stocks: Man\lel Camus, Manila; Vicente G. Sinco, Manila; Jose E. Romero, Manila; Narciso Torres, Manila; Philip Weinstein, Manila. Bondholdl:!rs, mortgagees: None. [SEAL] (Signature) Community Publishers, Inc. By BERT PAUL OSBON, Managing Editor. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 30th day of March, 1939, at Manila, Philippines. C. M. PICACHE Notary Public

pages

172+

Media