chamber orchestra

American  

noun

1. a small orchestra, commonly of about 25 players.

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chamber orchestra British  

noun

1. a small orchestra consisting of about 25 players, used for the authentic performance of baroque and early classical music as well as modern music written specifically for a small orchestra

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Etymology

Origin of chamber orchestra

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chamber orchestra

The music was played by 50 upright pianos, each of them with ever-so-slightly different tuning, amid a scattered chamber orchestra, the Klangforum Wien, of 25 other instruments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025

But technology has evolved, and a new recording on Cedille, “Acoustic Microtonal,” illustrates to astonishing effect what this music might sound like if it were played by a chamber orchestra.

From New York Times ● Feb. 11, 2024

The music for “Only Murders” is equally refined, written for a chamber orchestra, and Khosla has added a new melody for French horn that is tied to Streep’s character.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2023

Stutzmann founded the chamber orchestra Orfeo 55 in 2009 and led it during its decade-long existence.

From Seattle Times ● May 4, 2023

This year, Pinky's greatest honor was his appointment as music director of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the only full-time chamber orchestra in America.

From 100 New Yorkers of the 1970s by Max Millard