What is the Difference Between Symphony and Philharmonic?

The difference between a symphony and a philharmonic orchestra lies in the choice of words used to name an ensemble, and the origins of the words themselves. Both words evoke the collective power of love for music, and there is no real difference between symphony and philharmonic orchestras today.

• Symphony: The word "symphony" comes from the Greek word "symphōnía," meaning "agreement of sound". An ensemble might choose "Symphony" to emphasize the sounds and the coming together of the musicians.
• Philharmonic: Derived from the Greek word "philharmonía," meaning "love of harmony," the term "philharmonic" might evoke the harmoniousness of the music as well as the harmoniousness of those involved with the running of the organization.

Full-sized orchestras, regardless of whether they are called symphony or philharmonic, typically consist of around 100 musicians and are intended primarily for a symphonic repertoire. Examples of cities with both a philharmonic and a symphony orchestra include Vienna (Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra) and London (London Philharmonic Orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra).

Comparative Table: Symphony vs Philharmonic

The terms "symphony" and "philharmonic" are often used interchangeably to describe orchestras, and there is no real difference between them. Both words have their roots in Greek, with "symphony" meaning "agreement of sound" and "philharmonic" meaning "love of harmony". The choice between the two names for a particular ensemble usually comes down to the preference of the organization or the meaning they want to convey. Here is a table summarizing the similarities and differences between symphony and philharmonic orchestras:

In summary, both symphony and philharmonic orchestras consist of around 100 musicians performing a full range of orchestral instruments. The difference between the two lies in the choice of words used to name an organization and the meaning they convey.