Principal (music)
Encyclopedia
The principal musician in an orchestra
or other large musical ensemble
is the leader of the group of musicians playing that instrument. Every instrumental group (or section) has a principal who is generally responsible for leading the group and playing orchestral solos. The violin
s are divided into two groups, first violin and second violin, each with its principal. The principal first violin is called the concertmaster
(or "leader" in the UK) and is considered the leader of not only the string section
, but of the entire orchestra, subordinate only to the conductor
.
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...
or other large musical 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...
is the leader of the group of musicians playing that instrument. Every instrumental group (or section) has a principal who is generally responsible for leading the group and playing orchestral solos. The violin
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....
s are divided into two groups, first violin and second violin, each with its principal. The principal first violin is called the concertmaster
Concertmaster
The concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
(or "leader" in the UK) and is considered the leader of not only the string section
String section
The string section is the largest body of the standard orchestra and consists of bowed string instruments of the violin family.It normally comprises five sections: the first violins, the second violins, the violas, the cellos, and the double basses...
, but of the entire orchestra, subordinate only to the conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
.