A philharmonic orchestra is a large group of instrumental musicians who perform music. This type of musical ensemble can have over 100 musicians and includes brass, string, woodwind, and percussion instruments, though not all of them must be present at every performance. It differs from a chamber orchestra, which is a smaller ensemble of 50 or fewer musicians. Philharmonic orchestras primarily perform classical music, though many are now heard in other genres as well, including film scores, popular music, and video game music.
A philharmonic orchestra was originally defined as an orchestra formed a philharmonic society. The societies were made up of musicians and other music lovers who organized orchestras to perform music for the general public. Their names came from classical Greek words that meant “lovers of harmony.” A philharmonic orchestra was distinguished from other orchestras of the time the fact that it was founded and supported primarily the patronage of kings and other aristocrats. The term has drifted away from its origins over time, and it is now commonly used as a generic term for a full orchestra, interchangeably with symphony orchestra. When a city has more than one major orchestra, it is frequently used to distinguish them.
The instruments in a modern philharmonic orchestra are diverse. Bowed string instruments like the violin, cello, and double bass, as well as the harp, make up the string section of an orchestra. The string section of the orchestra is far the largest. Flute, bassoon, and clarinet are among the woodwind instruments. The trumpet, trombone, and tuba are among the brass instruments.
Percussion includes cymbals, various types of drums, and percussion instruments played with mallets such as the xylophone, vibraphone, and glockenspiel, depending on the music being played. An orchestra may include additional instruments such as the piano and classical guitar in addition to the four main sections. The orchestra’s conductor, who stands in front of the musicians and uses gestures to indicate the proper beat and tempo, cue different musicians to begin playing, or indicate volume changes, is in charge of coordinating the various musicians and sections.
In London, the first philharmonic society was founded in 1813. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, founded in 1840, is the oldest and is still active today. Philharmonic orchestras are now commonplace all over the world. Today’s notable examples include the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Austria, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in the United States.