Alex Corlett discovers orchestras with offbeat methods of making music

Alex Corlett discovers some orchestras, musical collectives and ensembles that are a little off-beat but always in tune!

IN ancient Greece, theatres consisted of three sections – seats for the audience, the stage for the actors and the “orchestra”, an area for musicians and singers to accompany the action.

However, the word wouldn’t begin to be associated with our traditional idea of an orchestra – an ensemble group featuring woodwind, brass, percussion and strings – until the early 17th century.

It was then that Italian composer Monteverdi wrote music to be played by a set number of specific instruments.

Variations on this theme continued until the very early 19th century, and the time of composers like Haydn and Beethoven.

The string section became more important, and as the number of instruments grew, the composers began to write parts for each that brought out their best qualities.

And so, the “modern” orchestra began; originally conducted with a rolled-up piece of paper, eventually replaced with a baton.

Since their inception, orchestras have changed only slightly, until we entered the 20th century, when things became increasingly experimental.

Arnold Schoenberg wrote music for an orchestra of 150 different instruments, while Strauss included an alphorn in one symphony.

And although they use the word “orchestra” in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, some small ensembles have been breaking the mould with how music can be made and how it can be played in groups.

The groups in the alternative orchestras on this page might not match most people’s vision of a classical orchestra, but they’re having a good time and making (mostly) wonderful music while they do it!