Chamber symphony

(Ger. Kammersymphonie; It. sinfonia da camera).

A work in symphonic form for chamber orchestra. The title probably originated with Schoenberg’s op.9 for 15 instruments (1906); his Second Chamber Symphony, begun in the same year, was not completed until 1939. Meanwhile his example had been followed by Schreker (1916) and many others. In general the title indicates a work of more ‘serious’ type than the sinfonietta. Analogous concertante compositions include Berg’s Kammerkonzert (1923–5) and two pieces by Martinů with the title Concerto da camera (1941, 1947). For further information see G. Salvetti: ‘Camerismo sinfonico e sinfonismo cameristico: alla ricerca di un approccio analitico pertinente’, Chigiana, new ser., xxiii ( 1993), 337–52.