Anatomy of a Symphony Orchestra: Introduction (02:52)

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The New York Philharmonic plays a portion of "The Pines of Rome." This program will dissect the composition of a symphony orchestra, providing examples from the tonal poem.

Orchestra Divisions: Strings (02:48)

The four families of instruments are strings, woodwinds, percussion, and brass. Strings comprise most of the orchestra members and take the majority of the responsibility. The first violins normally play the highest parts.

Orchestra Divisions: Woodwinds (02:46)

Instruments include the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon. There are smaller and larger versions of each instrument.

Orchestra Divisions: Brass and Percussion (03:24)

The brass is normally played during climaxes. Instruments include trumpet, trombone, tuba, and French horns. The percussion group is comprised of the tympani, drums, triangle, wood blocks, temple blocks, xylophone, chimes, glockenspiel, and gongs.

"Pines of Rome": Analysis (06:12)

Ottorino Respighi's composition is comprised of four movements, each named after a section of Rome. Leonard Bernstein illustrates instrumentation by playing portions of the first movement.

"The Pines Near the Catacomb": Analysis (03:19)

In the second movement of "Pines of Rome," Respighi depicts religious chanting, twilight shadows, and church bells. Bernstein illustrates instrumentation by playing portions of the second movement.

"The Pines of the Janiculum": Analysis (02:17)

The third movement of "Pines of Rome" is a pure atmosphere piece. The clarinet performs a solo and the phonograph plays. Bernstein illustrates instrumentation by playing portions of the movement.

"The Pines of the Appian Way": Analysis (04:09)

The final movement of "Pines of Rome" depicts a historic Roman road of soldiers. Low strings, the tympani, and the piano comprise the marching. Bernstein illustrates instrumentation by playing portions of the movement.

"Pines of Rome": "The Pines of the Villa Borghese" (02:34)

Bernstein conducts the New York Philharmonic in the first movement of the composition by Respighi.

"Pines of Rome": "The Pines Near the Catacomb" (06:14)

Bernstein conducts the New York Philharmonic in the second movement of the composition by Respighi.

"Pines of Rome": "The Pines of the Janiculum" (06:47)

Bernstein conducts the New York Philharmonic in the third movement of the composition by Respighi.

"Pines of Rome": "The Pines of the Appian Way" (05:49)

Bernstein conducts the New York Philharmonic in the final movement of the composition by Respighi.

Credits: Anatomy of A Symphony Orchestra (01:23)

Credits: Anatomy of A Symphony Orchestra