The term baroque orchestra refers to the most common instrumentation of the larger instrumental ensembles of the Baroque Period. Browse our sheet music and scores, and explore all the joy of the baroque orchestra with Stretta Music today!
The instrumentation of the baroque orchestra differs greatly from that of the modern symphony orchestra. In addition to the usual string instruments, the baroque orchestra includes a group of viola da gambas, the woodwind uses a diverse group of baroque oboes and various types of flutes, and the brass section has a range of period trumpets and trombones. The baroque orchestra usually consists of an average of up to twenty players, but much larger ensembles have been documented, comprising of up to 100 instruments.
In contrast to the modern orchestra, the Baroque orchestra consists of two components, the figured bass or basso continuo which is played by the fundament, consisting of cello, double bass, bassoon, lute, harpsichord, and organ, and the melody which is played by the upper melodic parts, the violin, flute, and oboe, amongst others. Brass instruments, particularly trumpets, and timpani are mainly used on festive occasions.
The conductor usually directs from the harpsichord or organ, like J.S. Bach, or leads from another instrument such as the violin, like Vivaldi. In France, in the Baroque Period, it was already common direct the orchestra with a staff, as did Lully with quite disastrous consequences! This was the birth of the modern-day baton.
for: 2 violins, viola, cello/double bass, harpsichord
Single part Cello/Double bass
Item no.: 1546163
op. 8/2
for: 2 violins, viola, cello/double bass, harpsichord
Single part Viola
Item no.: 784181
op. 8/2
for: 2 violins, viola, cello/double bass, harpsichord
Single part Violin 2
Item no.: 784180
op. 8/2
for: 2 violins, viola, cello/double bass, harpsichord
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 784179
op. 47/6
for: 2 horns, strings, basso continuo
Single part Viola
Item no.: 756670
for: Flute [oboe], strings, basso continuo
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 783879
for: Baroque orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 769702
for: Oboe, bassoon, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355541
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1354955
for: Baroque orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 327277
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Single part (Trumpet solo)
Item no.: 683264
for Trumpet (Clarino), 2 Oboes, Strings and Continuo
First Edition
for: Trumpet (D), orchestra, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 606143
for: Baroque orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 769704
for: Treble recorder, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 579764
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Baroque orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 775632
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 783826
for: Baroque orchestra
Single part Violin 3
Item no.: 623861
for: Baroque orchestra
Single part(n)
Item no.: 623912
"Il Gardellino"
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Single part Violin 2
Item no.: 741455
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355159
for: 2 oboes, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355043
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1354958
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 362713
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 362711
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355562
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355349
Urtext of the New Bach Edition
for: Violin, recorder, oboe, trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Cello (orchestral part)
Item no.: 493786
for: Violin, recorder, oboe, trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 497623
for: Orchestra, harpsichord
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 645794
for: 2 violins, viola, cello/double bass, harpsichord
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 1545513
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 225284
for: Flute, oboe, violin, cello, theorbo, strings, basso continuo
Single part Flute
Item no.: 421776
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 421729
for: 2 oboes, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 421591
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1704104
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Baroque orchestra
Flute, oboe (orchestral part)
Item no.: 327278
for: Treble recorder, flute, strings, basso continuo
Single part Violone [Double bass]
Item no.: 683456
for: Flute [oboe], strings, basso continuo
Single part Violin 2
Item no.: 783905
for: Baroque orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 769701
for: 2 oboes, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355035
for: Baroque orchestra
Double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 623921
for: Orchestra, harpsichord
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 643688
for: 2 oboes, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 421592
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1704105
TWV 51:D3
for: Flute, 2 violins, viola, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 499391
for: Treble recorder [flute], strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 648717
for: Treble recorder, flute, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 683455
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355563