The 19th century symphony orchestra

The orchestra grew larger and larger to Wagner's 110 players in the Ring cycle and Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand".

The string section was expanded, to balance the increasing numbers of wind players.

The cellos and double basses play different parts most frequently.

Increasingly prominent since Beethoven, the brass, typically consists of 2 trumpets, 4 French horns, 3 trombones, and a tuba.

The invention of the valve (1813) made the French horns and trumpets completely chromatic melody instruments, available in every key.

The French horns section was increased to four.

The trombone becomes a regular member of the symphony orchestra.

The new tuba gave the brass a dependable contrabass register it had previously lacked.

Mechanical improvements in the Woodwinds greatly enlarged their technical capabilities and size.

In the late 19th century, the Woodwind section expanded, as 3 of each was common, with the third player sometimes switching to a related instrument (for example, English horn instead of the oboe, piccolo for the flute, the bigger double bassoon instead of the bassoon and the lower bass clarinet).

All these have allowed for a greater range of dynamics and sound than ever before.