[Sidenote:  Symphony and dramatic orchestras.]

The modern symphony, especially the symphonic poem, shows the influence of this dramatic tendency, but not in the same degree.  A comparison between model bands in each department will disclose what is called the normal orchestral organization.  For the comparison (see page 82), I select the bands of the first Wagner Festival held in Bayreuth in 1876, the Philharmonic Society of New York, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

[Sidenote:  Instruments rarely used.]

Instruments like the corno di bassetto, bass trumpet, tenor tuba, contra-bass tuba, and contra-bass trombone are so seldom called for in the music played by concert orchestras that they have no place in their regular lists.  They are employed when needed, however, and the horns and other instruments are multiplied when desirable effects are to be obtained by such means.

[Sidenote:  Orchestras compared.]

New York
Instruments Bayreuth.  Philharmonic.  Boston.  Chicago.

First violins 16 18 16 16
Second violins 16 18 14 16
Violas 12 14 10 10
Violoncellos 12 14 8 10
Double-basses 8 14 8 9
Flutes 3 3 3 3
Oboes 3 3 2 3
English horn 1 1 1 1
Clarinets 3 3 3 3
Basset-horn 1 0 0 0
Bassoons 3 3 3 3
Trumpets or cornets 3 3 4 4
Horns 8 4 4 4
Trombones 3 3 3 3
Bass trumpet 1 0 0 1
Tenor tubas 2 0 2 4
Bass tubas 2 1 2 1
Contra-bass tuba 1 0 1 0
Contra-bass trombone 1 0 0 1
Tympani (pairs) 2 2 2 2
Bass drum 1 1 1 1
Cymbals (pairs) 1 1 1 1
Harps 6 1 1 2

[Sidenote:  The string quartet.]

[Sidenote:  Old laws against instrumentalists.]

[Sidenote:  Early instrumentation.]

[Sidenote:  Handel’s orchestra.]