But it wasn’t just the string instruments which were changing. The woodwind instruments were being developed too. With the new principles in music, the noisy,

Baroque orchestras were much smaller than the ones we know today; they played more quietly, and at a lower pitch. Sometimes despite the skilful counterpoint and glorious elements in their work, you can sense that Baroque composers were not yet entirely comfortable with the orchestra. Musical ideas can be passed round the orchestra in a rather disorganized way, e.g. If an oboe could play the same tune as a violin, then why not? There was not a real understanding of how to write sympathetic and playable music. It’s still true, however, that the baroque period was the turning point for the orchestra. The harpsichord was important because not all orchestras were conducted by a conductor. Harpsichord players were at the heart of the music.

There were instruments such as the serpent, the baryton and one particular string instrument called the harp. This instrument appeared in the orchestra from time to time, but they were mostly played at home by elegant young ladies. But perhaps the most important outsider was the harpsichord, an ever-present part of Baroque music which was now being written out of the orchestra altogether. With the new balance of the string section, the bass parts played by the harpsichord could be handled perfectly well by the double basses and cellos, so there was no longer such a need for the harpsichord player who had kept the whole show together. The way this instrument kept everyone in time, was also being taken over by the top violinists – this is why the head of the first violins is called the ‘leader’ of the orchestra.

Some topics in this essay:
Mannheim Germany, Violins Brass, Louis Spohr, Concerto Orchestra, Century Baroque, Debussy Jazz, John Cage, , French Royal, baroque period, woodwind instruments, nineteenth century, twentieth century, string instruments, brass woodwind instruments, orchestra string, instrument called, instrument makers, string family, period rise,