orchestral
For full ensemble
Orchestral describes music written for or performed by an orchestra—a large ensemble of string, wind, brass, and percussion instruments.
The word often distinguishes full ensemble works from chamber music or solo pieces: orchestral arrangements, orchestral scores.
It can also characterize any sound with the richness or complexity of an orchestra: The song builds to an orchestral climax.
Extended composition for orchestra
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
- suiteConnected hotel rooms
- tone poemNarrative orchestral composition
symphonic poem · ballet music · requiem · serenade · nocturne · rhapsody · scherzo · movement
Thin flexible lines
- brassCopper-zinc metal mixture
- woodwindsInstruments played by blowing
- percussionSound through impact
- violinBowed string instrument
cello · viola · double bass · trumpet · trombone · tuba · flute · oboe
Distinguished musical leader
- batonSlender rod for leading
- podiumRaised platform for speakers
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- downbeatNegatively toned or dispirited
cue · gesture · interpretation · tempo · dynamics · phrasing · music director · guest conductor
Large orchestra organization
- musiciansPeople who create music
- sectionsDivided portions of something
- principalChief school administrator
- concertmasterPrincipal first violinist
tutti · seating · formation · string section · brass section · wind section · percussion section · sinfonietta
Gradual increase in loudness
- fortissimoVery loud, musically
- pianissimoExtremely quiet, in scores
- adagioSlow musical tempo
- allegroBrisk tempo marking
presto · largo · andante · legato · staccato · diminuendo · rubato · fermata
Ordered configuration or agreement
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- scoringEarning points in competition
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- doublingMultiplying by two
counterpoint · layering · texture · Ravel · Rimsky-Korsakov · Mahler
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
- suiteConnected hotel rooms
tone poem · symphonic poem · ballet music · requiem · serenade · nocturne · rhapsody · scherzo · movement · opus
strings
Thin flexible lines
- brassCopper-zinc metal mixture
- woodwindsInstruments played by blowing
- percussionSound through impact
violin · cello · viola · double bass · trumpet · trombone · tuba · flute · oboe · clarinet
maestro
Distinguished musical leader
- batonSlender rod for leading
- podiumRaised platform for speakers
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
downbeat · cue · gesture · interpretation · tempo · dynamics · phrasing · music director · guest conductor · Bernstein
philharmonic
Large orchestra organization
- musiciansPeople who create music
- sectionsDivided portions of something
- principalChief school administrator
concertmaster · tutti · seating · formation · string section · brass section · wind section · percussion section · sinfonietta
crescendo
Gradual increase in loudness
- fortissimoVery loud, musically
- pianissimoExtremely quiet, in scores
- adagioSlow musical tempo
allegro · presto · largo · andante · legato · staccato · diminuendo · rubato · fermata · accelerando
arrangement
Ordered configuration or agreement
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- scoringEarning points in competition
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
doubling · counterpoint · layering · texture · Ravel · Rimsky-Korsakov · Mahler
texture
Surface tactile quality
- timbreSound's distinctive character
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
- blendCombine into mixture
balance · acoustics · sonority · harmonics · overtones · fullness · richness · lushness · warmth · brilliance
- music genresblues, pop, jazz, rock, classical
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- instrumental musicpiano solo, guitar track, symphony, concerto, film score
- music wordsacoustic, melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, bass
- performanceballet, theatre, acting, circus, concert
- music adjectivesmelodic, harmonic, rhythmic, tonal, tuneful
orchestralsolo
Performance by one
chamber · a cappella · unaccompanied · intimate · small ensemble
orchestralcacophonous
Harsh and jarring
discordant · dissonant · inharmonious · unmelodious · chaotic
orchestralelectronic
Relating to circuitry devices
synthesized · unplugged · folk · digital · punk
- orchestra pitRecessed area for musicians
- orchestral instrumentDevice for symphonic performance
- youth orchestraYoung musicians' performing group
- symphony orchestraLarge ensemble for classical music
- chamber orchestraSmall classical instrumental ensemble
- orchestra conductorLeader of musical ensemble
orchestra, orchestrate, orchestration, orchestrated, orchestrating, orchestrates, orchestrator, orchestrators, orchestrations