Evolution of a symphony orchestra stage layout – from Classicism to contemporary times
Journal Title: "Konteksty Kształcenia Muzycznego" - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
The article shows a history of evolution of orchestra musicians’ seating arrangement on stage from Classicism to the 20th century. It also presents the characteristics of the symphony orchestra spatial arrangements called antiphonic and topophonic. Over the course of transformation of historical types of a symphony orchestra seating arrangement into contemporary, widespread and commonly applied arrangements, there occurred such enormous changes as, for instance, resignation from spatial division into groups (e.g. basso continuo, ripieni and soli performers) in favor of cohesive sections featuring the same type of instruments, relocation of the 1st violin group from the right to the left side of stage, or moving a choir behind the orchestra. Out of many existing versions of symphony orchestra layouts used in concert, introduced between 17th and 19th centuries, in the 20th century there emerged four traditional seating arrangements based in their structure on the rotation of the string section. One of justified exceptions, differing from widespread patterns, is a topophonic layout of orchestra musicians, which is always customized to follow a composer’s intention (alternatively – a conductor’s idea), to suit structure of a particular work, acoustics and construction of the concert hall and the idea of achieving the desired antiphonic effect of the ensemble’s sound.<br/><br/>
Authors and Affiliations
Aleksandra Orczykowska
Keywords
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- EP ID EP599872
- DOI 10.5604/01.3001.0013.2581
- Views 151
- Downloads 1
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