Where is the piano placed in the orchestra?

Answer 1

The piano is certainly an orchestral instrument, but only from the 20th century (before that it would only play with an orchestra as a soloist).
In f.e. Petroushka by Stravinsky it plays an important role. Schostakovich uses piano in many of his symphonies; Bartók, Copland, Falla use it etc.
In contemporary orchestral pieces it is very common to include piano in the orchestration.

Answer 2

The piano is usually placed to the conductor's left behind the violins and next to the harp(s). It is only placed at the front of the orchestra when playing a concerto, or has concerto-like role.

Answer 3

There are orchestral works that include the piano as one of the instruments in the whole ensemble, but most of the time there is either no piano, or the piano is a solo instrument in a concerto.

Answer 4

Orchestras just have pianos, perhaps because they sound nice with all the other instruments in the orchestra. The piano is also usually the main performer, and the rest of the orchestra accompanies.

Answer 5

Yes, it would certainly be safe to say most orchestras have a piano; in fact, some classical pieces feature the music of the piano: these performances are called "piano concertos." There are some small orchestras that may focus on strings and woodwinds (like flutes or clarinets), but nearly every concert hall does have a piano.

Answer 6

If it's playing accompaniment/ensemble parts, it usually goes in the back as part of the percussion section. If it's a featured solo in a concerto, then it goes front and center.

Answer 7

Yes, Pianos can be part of orchestras, they are in the percussion section, however the majority of orchestras do not include piano in them.

Answer 8

The piano is usually played with an orchestra rather than being part of it.