Question about "Orchestra" names?
 

This forum includes music, so I thought I'd ask it in here. Hopefully there are some knowledgeable music people who can answer this?

Some cities have a "Symphony Orchestra" and some cities have a "Phiharmonic Orchestra", and some have both! What do these terms actually mean? Is there a difference? Just wondering.

i.e. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra

There is not really any significant difference between the two, "Symphony" and "Philharmonic." Usually cities such as London and New York will simply use different names to distinguish between their various orchestras.

I'm mainly a "bandie" and sometimes orchestral questions are beyond my relm...but not this one!! lol.

"Symphony" and "philharmonic" mean the same thing really. Sometimes Symphonies are the main outlet because they are better funded and have better music, but not all the time. And sometimes symphony orchestras can have a lot more musicians.

A lot of big cities just have two different ensembles---one being the Symphony and one being a philharmonic orchestra.

I know here in my city...we have the Symphony Orchestra. The "philharmonic" orchestra is usually designated for students from 6-12th grade.

But all in all, they are pretty much the same. They all play the same types of music and have the same instruments...so yeah.

/edited spelling and grammatical errors

Thanks!

Having played under groups with both types of name, I will confirm all of the above information is correct.

Here in OKC, we have the Oklahoma City Philharmonic as the city's principal orchestra. I think just because it sounds better than the OKC Symphony Orchestra (too many words).

That's what I've been told too...

Although I've never played in a Symphony or Philharmonic. I played in a Pops Orchestra for awhile, though.

What does "Pops" mean (i.e. The Boston Pops)? Popular music? And what constitutes "popular" music? (because it wouldn't be good marketing to play unpopular music, would it?) :confused: :cool:

LOL

Pops usually is used to indicate that it isn't just chamber music, but a variety, including more popular music of the day.

OP: According to when I took Orchestra, a Philharmonic Orchestra is smaller in numbers than a Symphony Orchestra. (Makes sense since Symponies are written in more parts per instrument.) So it has all the same instruments, but not as many on each instrument.

Popular = not "Classical". Post 1800's.

We played everything from Mancini to James Bond Themes. We actually did play "Classical" music once, for a ballet performace, however.

And when we did our Christmas concert, it was more likely to be "Grandma Got Run over By a Reindeer" then "The Nutcracker".

Not quite, necessarily. Copeland and Stravinsky are post 1800s, but definitely not "pops."

The Boston Pops Orchestra was the first "pops" orchestra, and it was founded in 1885. Its original programs consisted of "light classical" (something like Strauss waltzes, perhaps?), music from contemporary musical theatre and the current "hits" of the day and the ocassional "novelty song" (this "Sleigh Ride" at Christmas).

That still pretty much describes the kind of music on a "pops" program. One might find Strauss waltzes, Sousa marches, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim or Beatles songs, a "Les Mis" or "Wicked" medley, and a medley of music from "Star Wars," "Harry Potter" or "Lord of the Rings."

Philharmonic means good or "friendly" (loose trans.) harmony.

Symphony is a type of piece of music, as opposed to a concerto or opera, etc.

Back in the whatever century it was, when they started (mostly) the Symphony Orchestras were for symphonies, and other "sophistactated" music, and the "philharmonics" were mostly were the popular tunes of the day were heard.

But this is 2006 and I doubt there's been any real difference in the past 100 years or so

Tsk, tsk, MysticCat. I wouldn't have expected this from you. :(

I'm assuming by "Copeland" that you're referring to Aaron (who just so happens to be my ABSOLUTE MOST FAVORITE composer). It is spelled w/o the "e." Unless, of course, I've completely missed the reference. In which case, I'm the ASS for ASSUMING. :)

Oh no, you assumed. I meant Erin Copeland, the well-known Dutch composer. :p

Seriously, mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!

Copland is probably my favorite composer as well, but aside from the general spelling challenges with which I have contended all my life, for some reason I have a block about spelling Copland's name correctly. (I'm sure I hear the voice of my first or second-grade teacher somewhere in my head telling me that if the "o" is long, there has to be an "e" after the "p.")

I promise I will not misspell Copland anymore.
I promise I will not misspell Copland anymore.
I promise I will not misspell Copland anymore.
I promise I will not misspell Copland anymore. . . .