The Classical Orchestra

Composition of the Classical Orchestra

The classical orchestra is considerably smaller than the modern symphony orchestra: fewer strings, no more than two of the same instruments in woodwind and brass sections can be used, and the percussion section contains only a very few instruments.

The typical classical orchestra contains the following:

Woodwinds

2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets (Bb, C, or A)
2 Bassoons
Brass
2 Horns
2 Trumpets
Percussion
2 Timpani
Strings
12 Violins I
10 Violins II
8 Violas
8 Violoncellos
6 Double basses

Listen: Haydn’s Orchestra (Symphony No. 94)

  • Strings: Violins 1, Violins 2, Violas, Cellos and Double Basses
  • Woodwinds: 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes
  • Brass: 2 French Horns, 2 Trumpets
  • Percussion: Timpani

Listen: Beethoven’s Orchestra (Symphony No. 5)

  • Strings: Violins 1, Violins 2, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses
  • Woodwinds: 1 Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Bassoons, 2 Clarinets, 1 Contrabassoon
  • Brass: 2 French Horns, 2 Trumpets, 3 Trombones
  • Percussion: Timpani

Beethoven Symphony No 5 is work considered a transitional work to the romantic period. When compared to the Haydn and Beethoven’s own 1st and 2nd symphonies one can hear this difference. The larger orchestra and the more aggressive stronger emotional  expression abounds.  Below is an edited account of the first movement of this work from Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._5_(Beethoven)

The Symphony No. 5 in C minor of Ludwig van Beethoven, Op. 67,  written between 1804–1808 is one of the best-known compositions in classical music, and one of the most frequently played symphonies.   E. T. A. Hoffmann described the symphony as “one of the most important works of the time”. The symphony consists of four movements. The first movement is Allegro con brio; the second movement is Andante con moto; the third movement is a Scherzo Allegro; the fourth movement is Allegro.

It begins by stating a distinctive four-note “short-short-short-long” motif twice:(About this sound listen (help·info))

{\clef treble \key c \minor \time 2/4 {r8 g'8[ g'8 g'8] | ees'2\fermata | r8 f'8[ f'8 f'8] | d'2~ | d'2\fermata | } }

The symphony, and the four-note opening motif in particular, are known worldwide, with the motif appearing frequently in popular culture, from disco versions to rock and roll covers, to uses in film and television.