What is a chamber orchestra?

A chamber orchestra is a small orchestra – up to 50 musicians, but usually fewer. It’s possible for the whole orchestra to only play string instruments.

What do they play?

As well as more contemporary music chamber orchestra’s play what’s known as ‘chamber music’. Haydn, Mozart and Vivaldi were known for their chamber music scores.

History- How did chamber orchestras come about?

Chamber orchestra’s were originally intended for playing in private chambers (palaces, grand houses and halls etc.) which is where they got their name from.

Watch

Tchaikovsky

Elegy for strings by Roma Chamber Orchestra

Listen

Prokofiev

Symphony No 1 in D Major by Scottish Chamber Orchestra

https://soundcloud.com/scottishchamberorchestra/03-symphony-no-1-in-d-major