What is the difference between a philharmonic orchestra and a symphonic orchestra?

What is the difference between an orchestra, a symphony, a philharmonic, a symphonic orchestra etc...?

• Answer:

  Ok, here goes...there's not much difference actually, if you notice...they all end up in one in the end...Well, an orchestra is a musical ensemble used most often in classical music. A small orchestra with about forty players is called a chamber orchestra. Whereas, a full size orchestra with about 104 players may sometimes be called a "symphony orchestra" or "philharmonic orchestra". These does not indicate any difference in either the instrumental constitution or role of the orchestra, but can be useful to distinguish different ensembles based in the same city (e.g. the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra). A symphony orchestra will usually have over eighty musicians on its roster, in some cases over a hundred, but the actual number of musicians employed in a particular performance may vary according to the work being played, and the size of the venue. A leading chamber orchestra might employ as many as fifty members; some are much smaller than that. In a more modern usage, a symphony or symphony orchestra is an orchestra, particularly one that plays or is equipped to play symphonies. Going to hear a symphony orchestra play is sometimes called "going to the symphony," whether or not an actual symphony is on the programme. I hope this helps!