After listening to various world orchestras and reflecting on the Symphonic Orchestra, it becomes apparent that the legacies of the Gamelan Ensemble and Chinese Ensemble can be likened to that of our Western Symphonic Orchestra. This assertion holds true as they all carry the weight of centuries-old cultural traditions. As explored in previous modules, the roots of the Symphonic Orchestra trace back to the 17th or 18th centuries, making it an iconic representation of Western musical achievement. Although not as geriatric as perhaps Gamelan and Chinese Orchestras, its cultural heritage is exceptionally rich and arguably surpasses that of the other mentioned orchestras due to the sheer diversity of countries and traditions that have contributed to the Western orchestral tradition. The Western Symphonic Orchestra boast a wide array of instruments, each lending its unique timbre, whether played solo or in combination with others. Also, just like the Gamelan and Chinese ensembles, the Symphonic Orchestra possesses the remarkable ability to evoke profound emotions and establish deep connections with its audience. While firmly rooted in the past, it is evident that both the Chinese and Western Symphonic Orchestras have evolved to offer a contemporary sound and listening experience. On the other hand, the laptop orchestra will appear to be a virtual extension of the Symphonic Orchestra. However, the combination of sound and visual gestures creates a duality, encompassing both visual and sonic arts simultaneously. The capability of computers to generate entirely distinct sounds will appear full-bodied, potentially yielding limitless auditory possibilities. Furthermore, the laptop orchestra possesses the capacity to forge a profound connection with its audience too. Overall, the three researched orchestras share robust affiliations, and through the combination of instruments, timbres and solos, there exists the prospect of boundless creativity.
Reference:
Classical Archives LLC. Gamelan from Central Java. 2014. ARC. Accessed on 08/09/2023 from: https://www.classicalarchives.com/newca/#!/Album/82972
Naxos Digital Services Ltd. 4 Virtuosi Play Chinese Traditional Music. 2017. Accessed on 08/09/2023 from: https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.225852
Traditional Chinese Music. A Moonlit Night On the Spring River. China National Orchestra.. Accessed on 08/09/2023 from: https://youtu.be/iuWKiLZCxT4?si=gTSlTRD3ThxAijag
Twilight. 2013. Stanford Laptop Orchestra. Stanford University, May 2013. Accessed on 08/09/2023 from: https://youtu.be/chA-4GRCb-I?si=hOQNscLWsOmM3uWM
Orchestration and Arrangement 