orchestral
what it is
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus. The orchestra grew by accretion throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but changed very little in composition during the course of the twentieth century.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make orchestral a playlist
turn these 30 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is orchestral?
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus. The orchestra grew by accretion throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but changed very little in composition during the course of the twentieth century.
What are good orchestral albums to start with?
Try Epicon by Globus, where's the drop? by deadmau5, Songs From Final Fantasy XV by Florence + the Machine, and Las Cosas Que Vives by Laura Pausini.
Who are some women making orchestral?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/orchestral/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making orchestral, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20