Here is a summary of the classical standard orchestra used in bullet point form just because I don’t want to bore you out!
- Harpsichord died out because there was not enough volume.
- The Piano took over. It was called Forte Piano (loud/soft).
- Clarinets were invented.
- The Trumpet and French Horn had values.
- There were Strings: Violins 1 and 2, Viola, Cello and Double Bass.
- There were the Brass being two Trumpets and two French Horns.
- The Percussion was still only kettle drums.
- There was a conductor.
The Symphony was the most popular genre (style of music) for an orchestra:
- A Symphony has four movements.
- The first movement has a fast tempo (in Sonata form being Exposition, Development and Recapitulation).
- The second movement is slow in tempo which contrasts. It is in ternary form (ABA).
- The third movement has a medium ‘andante’ tempo and is usually a minuet and trio but was later changed to a scherzo (lively: musical joke) and trio.
- The fourth movement is the finale movement being fast in tempo and in rondo form (ABACA).
