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Good Orchestral Pieces for small Orchestra

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:44 pm
by DouglasJB
What are some favorite pieces that can be handled by a small orchestra? (Less then 5 of each string and 1 Bass, full winds)

Re: Good Orchestral Pieces for small Orchestra

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 1:19 am
by THE TUBA
Appalachian Spring is one of the first things that come to mind. The full orchestral version could work if there's a pianist and harpist. There is also the original chamber orchestra version for 13 players (including piano), but the strings could easily double up. As a tubist, you would of course be out of luck.

Re: Good Orchestral Pieces for small Orchestra

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 1:30 am
by hduong
A local community college I played for a few years ago contacted composition majors at a nearby university to arrange a piece with the instrumentation that was available. roughly 30 players total for winds and strings.

Re: Good Orchestral Pieces for small Orchestra

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 10:36 pm
by DouglasJB
By "full winds" we have no trouble filling 3 Flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2-3 trumpets, 3 trombones, a tuba. There just aren't many strings so we struggle to do larger pieces. I've heard them play Rite of Spring and Firebird, and I've played Finlandia and Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony this year.

Re: Good Orchestral Pieces for small Orchestra

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 11:00 pm
by DouglasJB
Thanks Bloke!