What is the layout of the orchestra?

Answer 1

Harpsichord in the centre, lid off, pointing to the back of stage (the keyboard is parallel with the front of stage). Single double bass to the harpsichord player's (conductor's ) left, aligned with the bass strings of the keyboard; single solo cello (or bassoon) to the harpsichordist's right. 4-6 violins stand in a line to the left of the open harpsichord case, facing inward so they can hear and keep in time with the melody line and see the harpsichord player's face. The lead violin (or Flute soloist in a concerto) stands on the right of the harpsichord facing the violins. Alongside the soloist stand 2 violas, also facing the violins. At the rear, oboes and trumpets as required. This arrangement is flexible but the underlying motive is to group the melody instruments around the open case of the harpsichord and consolidate the bassline close to the keyboard. In this way the players can all see one another and adjust their tuning to that of the harpsichord. A diagram of a baroque ensemble of voices and orchestra, based on an anonymous German painting c1775, is reproduced on page 164 of my book The Second Sense: Language, Music, and Hearing (Scarecrow Press, 2002).

Robin Maconie

Sorry for no diagram

Answer 2

In front of the Orchestra stands the conductor with his back towards the audience.

On the left the first violinists ( under management of a concertmaster )

The second violinists are seated next to the first violinists.

The alt violinists are seated mid-centre with the cellists next to them to the right.

The contra-basses are seated behind the cellists.

Behind the alt violinists are the flutes and the piccolo with next to them hobo's and althobo. Behind them the clarinets and bass clarinets. Next to the bass clarinets the bassoons and contra bassoons. Behind them the brass section with the horns in the left, trumpets, trombones and tuba next to them.

Completely to the back of the Orchestra the percussion section with kettledrums glockenspiel and to the far left the harps.

In case of a pianist, he or she is to be seated left of the conductor

A big Symphony Orchestra consists most likely out of :

20 first violinists

18 second violinists

14 alt violinists

12 cellists

10 contrabasses

2 harps

2 kettledrums

6 percussionists

6 horns

5 trumpets

4 trombones

2 tubas

1 sax

5 bassoons

5 clarinets

5 hobos

5 German flutes and most likely they can play the piccolo when necessary

Answer 3

http://harmony.oakweb.ca/baroque/period.html