Page 988 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

Simon Rattle conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. Picture: Getty

Which is bigger: a symphony or a philharmonic
orchestra?

A symphony orchestra is the same size, and appears exactly the same, as a
philharmonic orchestra on stage. They have the same instrument sections and
numbers of players.

What are the other main types of orchestra?

Symphony and philharmonic orchestras might be the same size, but the third
most common type of orchestra is distinguished by its size.

A chamber orchestra is traditionally a smaller orchestra, designed for
performances in rooms as opposed to large concert halls, and scaled down in
size accordingly. A chamber orchestra can have as little as 17 core members, like
the Australian Chamber Orchestra, or around 30 players or more, like Classic
FM’s Orchestra in North-East England and at Sage Gateshead, Royal Northern
Sinfonia.