What is a chamber orchestra?
A chamber orchestra is a small-sized orchestra, from ten to forty players. The relatively smaller number of players used in compositions for chamber orchestra creates a wonderful transparency of sound and demands musicians of soloist caliber. Chamber orchestra compositions showcase the beauty of every instrument and the skill of every performer. The evident joy in ensemble music-making and the camaraderie among the LACO musicians makes our Orchestra one of the finest of its kind in the world. The orchestra will vary in size depending on the composition. Some works call for all the different instruments of a symphony orchestra although fewer to a part; other works will call only for the strings. Some concerts will feature a conductor on the podium, while other others will be led directly from the piano or by the violinist in the first chair.
A chamber orchestra is a small orchestra consisting of up to forty members, usually performing in a smaller venue. A chamber orchestra offers musicians and audiences the opportunity to experience classical music in a more intimate orchestra setting. Before 1800, most orchestras were of this smaller size. However, as live music became available to a larger audience, the size of the performing halls became larger and composers needed bigger sounds to fill those halls. As orchestras increased in size, they became known as “symphony orchestras.” However, even contemporary composers are writing for chamber orchestras.
