The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

 The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Last Thursday on the 11th of March, the senior school from the years 5-8 went to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the town hall. We took a very flash bus with seat belts and curtains there. We went there because for the past couple weeks the seniors have been learning music, based on Orchestras. 

Normally, with Orchestras the Strings go in the front. Like the first layer around the conductor who stands centre. The Wood Winds are right behind, but the Oboe is right in front of the Conductor. (Normally, the oboe tunes the entire Orchestra with the chord ‘A’). The Brass section such as the trombones and french horns are behind that too. And right at the back is the percussion, all of the sections tend to go in a semicircle.

The Orchestra played very dramatic music.

The Orchestra had many different ranges of groups, the strings such as the Violin, Double Bass and Violas. There was the Wood Wind, which was like the flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Oboe and more. Also along the back of the Orchestra was the drums/timpani, triangle and a few other smaller instruments.

The Orchestra played a story within the music, the story was Peter and the Wolf. Different characters were played by different animals. 

The duck was played by the oboe, where the bird was played by the flute.

Grandpa was played by a bassoon and Peter by the Stringed instruments, like the violas, violins, and double bass. Wolf was played by the french horns and the cat by the Clarinet. 

And the gunshot noises were the timpani and other drums. The gunshots were very loud, just like a short siren.

The part I enjoyed the most about the Orchestra was the way they nailed the notes like the original. We watched a cartoon version from a long time ago and the noises were spot on, the same.

Here is a link to the video. Peter and the Wolf.
I think that they did a great job.

If I had to pick an instrument to play it would be the bassoon or the french horns. Because I like the way that they sound. The bassoon kind of a snoring man.

Also the most interesting sounding instrument was the bassoon too. It sounded very low and intriguing. Even if it was playing a Grandpa.

When I listened to the music it made me feel like breaking out and swaying my arm around like a conductor. I don’t know why though. It also would be great music to listen to. Well, if you like that and because it has got a lot of calm quiet effect to it.

I recommend you go to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra next time it comes to your city.

Have you ever been to hear the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra?

If not have you ever been to an Orchestra?

What is your favourite Orchestra instrument?