MUSIC AS A PROCESS

Music is an art that people make together. Throughout the world people make music in many kinds of ways and for different purposes. One of the forms of music making is a symphony orchestra.

 

Symphony Orchestras

 

The largest collection of musicians is a symphony orchestra and it is usually named after the city in which it was founded. The typical modern symphony orchestra, with 90 to 120 players, has gradually evolved since the late 18^th century. Before that, the composition of an orchestra was dependent on the instruments that were available and their technical limitations. Handel composed his Water music in 1717 for two oboes, two horns, a bassoon, strings and harpsichord. Beethoven had to use trumpets with fixed pitch (as valves had not then been invented) and included trombones only in his later symphonies. During the 19^th century, the orchestra settled into its familiar modern shape with balanced groups of instruments.

Symphony orchestras are mainly from Europe, Russia and North America where there is a long tradition of playing composed music. You can see an orchestra in action at a concert hall, but a large part of an orchestra’s time is spent in studios recording music for broadcasting and records. This kind of orchestra is called symphony orchestra because it plays the symphonies of Mozart, Beethoven and other composers. However, the musicians can play any type of music that is written for them and orchestras perform a wide range of classical music as well as playing for operas and ballets. Also, when you watch a film or a TV play or listen to pop music you will often hear a symphony orchestra in the background. But basically symphony orchestras exist to give listening performances of music written by the best composers.

 

Make-up of the modern symphony orchestra

 

A symphony orchestra contains four main sections of instruments: the string, woodwind, brass and percussion sections. Each section contains several different instruments.

The strings sit at the front of the orchestra because they are not as heard as other instruments. To the left are the violins, which are divided into two groups: the first violins and the second violins with the same number, usually 15, in each group. They usually play a different line of music. The other string players sit in groups to the left and to the right. The violas are in the center, to the right are the cellos and behind them the double bases.

The woodwind section is behind the strings in the center and usually contains two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets and two bassoons. However, other instruments such as piccolo, bass clarinet and contrabassoon may be added either played by these or extra players.

The brass section comes behind the woodwind and normally contains four French horns, three trumpets, and three trombones and may include a bass tuba.

At the back on the left is the percussion section, which contains tympani, a xylophone, a glockenspiel, a marimba, chimes and gong, drums, cymbals, tambourines, triangles, castanets, rattles, shakers and clickers.

Extra instruments such as the piano or the harp are added when needed for a particular musical work.

Any soloist, such as a pianist, or violinist in a concerto, or singers are placed in front of the orchestra so that they can easily be heard.

The conductor stands on a central rostrum with the four groups of instruments arranged in front of him. Before the performance begins, one instrument, usually the oboe, plays a sustained “A” note to which all the other instruments are tuned. The conductor sets the tempo and indicates the beat with his baton. He controls the loudness or softness of playing. He conducts the music from a full score that shows him what each individual instrument should play. Conducting requires a great amount of study as well as a strong personality that can dominate an orchestra. He is the one responsible for the overall interpretation of the music.

 

Tasks

I. Read the text. Make sure you understand it. Mark the following statements true or false.

1. A symphony orchestra consists of twenty musicians. 2. Every orchestra has its name. 3. Handel composed his Air music in 1717 for two oboes, two horns, a bassoon, strings and harpsichord. 4. Symphony orchestras are mainly from Africa where there is a long tradition of playing composed music. 5. A symphony orchestra contains five main sections of instruments: the string, woodwind, brass, keyboard and percussion sections. 6. An orchestra which plays in concert halls giving listening performances, records music for broadcasting is called symphony orchestra. 7. Any soloist, such as a pianist, or violinist in a concerto, or singers are placed behind the orchestra so that they can easily be heard. 8. Before the performance begins, one instrument, usually the oboe, plays a sustained “A” note to which all the other instruments are tuned. 9. To the left are the violins, which are divided into three groups, usually 15 members in each group. 10. The conductor sets the tempo and indicates the bit with his hand.

 

II. How well have you read? Can you answer the following questions?

1. What is a symphony orchestra? 2. When did the modern symphony orchestra appear? 3. How many players does it include? 4. Has the orchestra its own name? 5. What can you say about orchestras of the 17^th century? 6. What is the main purpose of the symphony orchestra? 7. What type of music can the musicians of the orchestra play? 8. What are the four main sections of instruments? 9. Where are the strings situated? 10. What section is behind the strings? 11. Where is the percussion section? 12. Where is the place of the soloist? 13. Who is the main figure in the orchestra? 14. What can you say about the conductor? 15. Which instrument has keys, pedals and strings? 16. Which is the largest stringed instrument in a classical orchestra?

 

III. Give Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

Since the late 18^th century, fixed pitch, contrabassoon, to be responsible for, to stand on a central rostrum, to perform a wide range of classical music, broadcasting and records, as valves had not been invented, to set the tempo, a great amount of study, woodwind instruments, in the background, to be divided into two groups, technical limitations.

 

IV. Give English equivalents of the following phrases:

Быть названным по имени, записывать музыку, клавикорды, ударные инструменты, солист, сидеть группами, «Музыка на воде», оперы и балеты, четыре основные секции инструментов, задать темп, полная партитура, приглашенные исполнители, дирижерская палочка, альты в центре, состав оркестра, нота Ля, слушать популярную музыку.

 

V. Summarize the text.

 

CONDUCTING

Conducting is the act of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. Orchestras, choirs, concert bands and other musical ensembles often have conductors.

The principal conductor of an orchestra or opera company is sometimes referred to as a music director or chief conductor, or by the German word, Kapellmeister[kə'pelmaɪstə]. Conductors of choirs or choruses are sometimes referred to as ` choral director, chorus master, or choirmaster, particularly for choirs associated with an orchestra. Conductors of military bands and other bands may hold the title of bandmaster, or drum major ['drʌm'meɪʤə] тамбурмажор. Respected senior conductors are sometimes referred to by the Italian word, maestro ['maɪstrəu] ("master").

Although there are many formal rules on how to conduct correctly, others are subjective, and a wide variety of different conducting styles exist depending upon the training and sophistication of the conductor. The primary responsibilities of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble. Communication is non-verbal during a performance; however in rehearsal frequent interruptions allow directions as to how the music should be played. The beat of the music is typically indicated with the conductor's right hand, with or without a baton.

Conductors aim to maintain eye contact with the ensemble [ɔn'sɔmb(ə)l ]; [ɑːn'sɑːmb(ə)l] as much as possible, encouraging eye contact in return and increasing the dialogue between players/singers and conductor. Facial expressions may also be important to demonstrate the character of the music or to encourage the players.

Education and experience is what makes a good conductor, or for that matter, anyone who wants to attain a goal. Conductors often have degrees in music, knows how to play an instrument or several instruments, can sight-read играть или петь с листа, has a good ear, a broad knowledge of music history, styles and functions of various musical instruments, have taken post-graduate courses with emphasis on conducting and have experience leading ensembles whether they be amateurs or pros.

Tasks