Orchestra and Symphony in Developing the Western Music

Orchestra

Its significance follows that they are a group of musicians that play instrumental music, chiefly in unison, often consisting of 25 members. Therefore, scholars chiefly create what scholars refer to as unique sounds through strings, percussion, brass, and woodwinds, which are the various orchestral families. First, the strings family mainly refers to a technique widely recognized as pizzicato. They include cello, violin, harp, double bass, and viola. Percussion follows the idea that sound is produced when an instrument is struck, shaken, or scraped. Therefore, the latter’s instruments keep the rhythm, add color and excitement, as well as create unique sound effects, specifically in an orchestra. Notably, the brass family incorporates instruments made of metal alloy or brass whose purpose is to sound when a musician vibrates their lips against a mouthpiece fitted inside the respective instrument. They include the French horn, Tuba, trumpet, and trombone. Lastly, the woodwinds family, which includes the oboe, flute, clarinet, and bassoon, are instruments meant to produce sounds in any of the mentioned instruments as they vibrate when a musician blows air into the read (single or double).

Regarding the significance of orchestra in developing western music, the 20^th century has seen the latter breakthrough following the rise of superstar conductors and composers. Mozart and Beethoven, composers, are significant players in developing orchestra types of music. Orchestra has promoted the development of more than 16 genres of western music over the years. They include soul, jazz, classical, blues, baroque, rap, bluegrass, heavy metal, etc. the world has seen the rise of legends in the 20^th century, for instance, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Bob Marley, whose work remains to be sensational across the globe. The majority of modern musicians, specifically in the west, are walking in the footsteps of such legends who have inspired many, thereby promoting the development of western music. Orchestra has become a significant part of modern western music as well as the cultural heritage. According to Mathias (2016), an orchestra promotes volunteerism, allowing residents to enjoy arts locally. This platform encourages young and old talents for local musicians who want to perform, enhancing music development.

Moreover, numerous orchestral musical innovations are being produced now and then in the United States. This gives rise to new practices and groups that have a passion for music, with New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Boston Symphony Orchestra being among the older groups and still existing today, inspiring many to venture their talent and passion into western music.

Symphony

Music scholars and composers perceive symphony as a prolonged composition for orchestra, in reality, consisting of several movements and one leverages sonata form. Joseph Haydn, an Austrian composer, is the father of symphony. From the classical era in the early 1740s to the early 1820s, as per European music history, together with the orchestra grew to the extent that triggered a reaction. This culminated in the neoclassical movement in the 1920s, in which most composers turned toward formal discipline and principles of balance. They, therefore, used new techniques to enhance dynamic coherence. Scholars associate symphony with the ultimate embodiment of the idealist notion of music. As per the notion, music is the ‘highest of the arts.’ Following the Greek definition of the symphony, which identifies the latter as the aspect of ‘sounding together, the harmony of sound,’ symphony has propelled western music to a great extent. With significant groups forming, such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra, with some having musicians of up to 100 members (symphony orchestra), the symphony’s format invites the various sections of an orchestra in order to perform a given musical conversation. This also includes melodies that are established in exposition. Symphony and Orchestra have infinite possibilities. They will remain the deep musical expression’s definitive medium. Notably, symphonies are the centerpieces of orchestra concerts and have a specific scope, completeness, as well as ambition (Sapio, 2022).

Consisting of four sections, that is, an allegro, a light relief movement, a slow lyrical movement, and a fast and summary finale, symphonies have contributed to an increase in great composers who strive to bind symphony groups together. In this aspect of inner unity, they become one integrated whole, unlike what scholars refer to as unrelated pieces. Through such humble beginnings, classical music was founded on being an emblematic genre. Notably, the symphony has retained its status up to the 21^st century seeing the rise of musical modernism and experimentation, which failed to overtake the symphony. As a result, the symphony is a significant pillar and is deeply rooted in modern American music. The development of music in the U.S. and symphony is part of its story to date. Orchestra and symphony have aided American music to grow over the years within the western classical music matrix. Their significance motivated composers to transform expressions of American life, history, attitudes, feelings, ideals, and moods, which tailored their music to what it is today.

References

Mathias, S. (2016 June 27). Why community orchestras are important. Parker Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved from: https://parkersymphony.org/why-community-orchestras-are-important

Sapio, M. (2022 June 17). The American Symphony. The Imaginative Conservative. Retrieved from: https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2022/06/american-symphony-neil-butterworth-michael-de-sapio.html