Concertmaster
Encyclopedia
The concertmaster/mistress (from German Konzertmeister) is the spalla or leader, of the first violin
section of an orchestra
. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader. Any violin solo in an orchestral work is played by the concertmaster (except in the case of a concerto
, in which case a guest soloist usually plays).
The concertmaster makes decisions regarding bowing
and other technical details of violin playing for the violins, and sometimes all of the string players; and is in charge of leading the orchestra in tuning
before concerts and rehearsals and other technical aspects of orchestra management.
The concertmaster in a standard wind band is the first-chair clarinet
or oboe
, and leads the ensemble's tuning
. The first-chair clarinet concertmaster will, in common practice, play all solos for their instrument. Often the lead flautist will receive similar responsibilities to the clarinet concertmaster, depending on several factors such as age, skill and time spent in the ensemble
. The concertmaster will, in both orchestral and wind band settings, also coordinate with other principals and section leaders, in most cases being their senior in terms of group pecking order. In brass bands this role is often filled by the principal solo cornet
or trumpet
.
The concertmaster has the duty of tuning the orchestra or band at rehearsals and performances, and also comes on stage individually. He or she will walk onto stage prior to performing, take a bow, and receive applause
on behalf of the ensemble. However, this practice is usually uncommon in Europe where the concertmaster walks onto stage at first but immediately followed by the remaining orchestra members. Thus the entire ensemble receives applause at the beginning and the concertmaster's role is less individual.
It is usually required that the concertmaster be the most skilled musician in the section, good at learning music quickly, counting and observing the conductor for the rest of the section to follow.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
section of an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader. Any violin solo in an orchestral work is played by the concertmaster (except in the case of a concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
, in which case a guest soloist usually plays).
The concertmaster makes decisions regarding bowing
Bow (music)
In music, a bow is moved across some part of a musical instrument, causing vibration which the instrument emits as sound. The vast majority of bows are used with string instruments, although some bows are used with musical saws and other bowed idiophones....
and other technical details of violin playing for the violins, and sometimes all of the string players; and is in charge of leading the orchestra in tuning
Musical tuning
In music, there are two common meanings for tuning:* Tuning practice, the act of tuning an instrument or voice.* Tuning systems, the various systems of pitches used to tune an instrument, and their theoretical bases.-Tuning practice:...
before concerts and rehearsals and other technical aspects of orchestra management.
The concertmaster in a standard wind band is the first-chair clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
or oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
, and leads the ensemble's tuning
Musical tuning
In music, there are two common meanings for tuning:* Tuning practice, the act of tuning an instrument or voice.* Tuning systems, the various systems of pitches used to tune an instrument, and their theoretical bases.-Tuning practice:...
. The first-chair clarinet concertmaster will, in common practice, play all solos for their instrument. Often the lead flautist will receive similar responsibilities to the clarinet concertmaster, depending on several factors such as age, skill and time spent in the ensemble
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
. The concertmaster will, in both orchestral and wind band settings, also coordinate with other principals and section leaders, in most cases being their senior in terms of group pecking order. In brass bands this role is often filled by the principal solo cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
or trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
.
The concertmaster has the duty of tuning the orchestra or band at rehearsals and performances, and also comes on stage individually. He or she will walk onto stage prior to performing, take a bow, and receive applause
Applause
Applause is primarily the expression of approval by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences are usually expected to applaud after a performance, such as a musical concert, speech, or play...
on behalf of the ensemble. However, this practice is usually uncommon in Europe where the concertmaster walks onto stage at first but immediately followed by the remaining orchestra members. Thus the entire ensemble receives applause at the beginning and the concertmaster's role is less individual.
It is usually required that the concertmaster be the most skilled musician in the section, good at learning music quickly, counting and observing the conductor for the rest of the section to follow.