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In Reply to: RE: Interesting! How many orchestras use special instruments? posted by oldmkvi on December 21, 2016 at 09:48:24
Like ABC orchestra uses XYZ type of instruments.
A symphonic orchestra needs Wagner tubas, too....Bruckner's 9th uses an army of them (the one time I heard it live, I sat behind them at Davies Hall....I have a clear idea of Bruckner's 9th as a concerto for Wagner Tubas and orchestra).
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Every orchestra, no matter in the pit or on stage will have a core instrumentation. Depending on the score,"special" instruments may be called for such as Wagner tubas, basset horns, even saxophones.A favorite example is that Verdi did not like a traditional tuba and specified the use of a cimbasso, rather like a large bore valve trombone. Strauss' Salome calls for the rarest of the rare Heckelphone of which only about 120 examples exist in the world. Large orchestras will go to great lengths to adhere to the composer's desires in these matters.
Edits: 12/21/16
Mahler specifies a posthorn in the 3rd symphony, but from what I have read most orchestras use trumpets.
The only time I've heard/seen one live was when the SF Symphony did the Alpine Symphony about 10 years ago with Philippe Jordan conducting. You can also see the instrument on videos of the Alpine Symphony too, such as:
. . . although in this case, the SQ isn't that great.
I'm impressed! Yes, Strauss, Hindemith, and Varese were the prominent composers for the Heckelphone. Sadly, Heckel is no longer accepting orders for the instrument. Their wait list for bassoons is now up to eight years and I suspect they did not want to devote the time to the one order they receive a year for a Heckelphone.
As the story goes, Wagner wanted an instrument between the oboe and bassoon and encouraged Heckel to design one. Wagner died before it was completed but Heckel, being a wise businessman as well as manufacturer, encouraged Strauss to compose for the HP which he did.
I'm the proud owner of Heckelphone #5021 which was the last one to enter the US six years ago.
Well, German/Austrian Orchs tune much higher than in USA, tend to use regional Instruments that fit with that, for one example.
Here, Section Players will tend to use whatever the Principal is using to fit in/blend/tune.
Some groups may be more rigorous than others in uniformity.
I'm sure many don't care, as long as it sounds good.
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