Orchestra Concert

Since the orchestra was a large ensemble, just like the instrumentation common in the Romantic era, the orchestra was able to perform in a lively, vigorous manner, probably vivace (2). The orchestra performed tutti (3), in which all of the instruments of the ensemble played together. Every member of the orchestra played with exactness and steady energy, or in other words, con gusto (4). Overall, all the instruments included in the ensemble were needed for the piece to sound fanciful.

In addition to the large ensemble, the orchestra played in an allargando (5) manner, in which the orchestra grew louder and then softer, which is also common to the Romantic era. As the orchestra progressed through the piece, the orchestra used various bow styles in order to dramatize the music. The ensemble played the symphony using legato, marcato (5), and spiccato (6), which contributed to the immense sound.

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The composer’s style of this piece was typical for the Romantic era because the composition was extensive, and included the piano, which is a well-known, as well as, important instrument in the Romantic era. The symphony, although has many characteristics included in the Romantic era, is not completely similar to other pieces that I have performed that are included in the Romantic era. Unlike the Shostakovich’s symphony, “Largo”, is a slow and steady piece that includes dynamic fluctuations. Similar to the symphony, the piece “Bacchanale” involves using marcato throughout the piece.

While the orchestra was performing, the audience sat silent in order to observe the orchestra. All of the members of the orchestra seemed to be attentive to the conductor, which is important because every member of the orchestra needs to be aware of what is going to happen next in the music. The brass and the string had sections in the music, where they were the most important parts. Overall, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra performed well as a whole group. The second concert I attended was performed by the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.

The orchestra performed “Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582” by Bach, which is part of the Baroque era. The string instruments of the orchestra performed with the hair of the bow, in other words, arco (7). By using lots of motion or most commonly known as mosso (8), the orchestra increased the tension of the piece. The orchestra played at a pretty fast tempo (9), probably allegro. The piece had a distinct part where the harp played. The ensemble was large, in order to attain the full sound of the piece.

The instruments played in the orchestra did not comply with the typical orchestras of the Baroque era because it did not have a distinct part where were the main instruments were the piano and the bass, or more commonly known as basso continuo (10). Along with the use of basso continuo, the orchestra used ornamentation by adding grace notes (11) throughout the piece. The Baroque era also included the doctrine of affections (12), in which the Richardson Symphony Orchestra demonstrated by playing faster notes to demonstrate happiness.

The style of the composer was distinctive of the Baroque era because he use both ornamentation and doctrine of affections. The bow stroke of the piece that was mostly used was legato. Unlike the piece we previously played in orchestra which is also part of the Baroque era (“Allegro in D for Strings”), the piece the symphony performed did not have the marcato stroke. My favorite part of the whole composition was when the harp was playing distinctly, but overall the orchestra played magnificently.

The intonation of the orchestra was precise and all of the members of the orchestra played well as a whole. The orchestra also performed “Concerto #23 in A major, K. 488” by Mozart, which is part of the Mozart era. The orchestra included many instruments, as well as the piano, which had a very important part in the piece. The piano seemed to have the solo (13) in the piece. The use of the piano is not a standard to the classical era, although it contributed to the overall sound of the piece.

The piece that the orchestra performed was extensive, which is a common characteristic of the Classical era. The composition reflected a fanciful style, known as caprice (14). The composer used some of the typical characteristics of the Classical era, by making the piece lengthier than those of the Baroque era, but the composer also added a twist by using the piano. The orchestra used both legato and marcato to reflect a whimsical style. The composition most likely included cue notes (15), in order to guide the players who were not playing while the piano was.

Similarly to the piece that the Richardson Symphony Orchestra performed, “Menuetto” by Mozart also reflects a fanciful style that uses legato. The composition that the orchestra performed made me feel light-hearted. All of the professional musicians that performed had paid attention to the piano solo, in addition to paying attention to the conductor. Most of the string instruments used the middle part of their bow, in order to play quickly which reflected a fast sound. All of the professional concerts that I attended were a great learning experience but were also a blast to watch.