Why did Neoclassical composers often prefer chamber ensembles to large orchestras?

Neoclassical composers often preferred chamber ensembles to large orchestras because they sought to move away from the influence of Impressionism and the emotional intensity of the Romantic movement. By turning toward the forces of chamber music, these composers found a medium more suitable for their aesthetic ideals, which emphasized clarity, restraint, and a return to the formal structures of the Classical period.12

Specifically, Neoclassical composers favored the economy of means offered by smaller ensembles, which allowed for a clearer concept of "sections" in orchestration and a greater focus on individual instrumental timbres rather than the thick, blended textures typical of late Romantic or Impressionist works. This shift reflected a desire to prioritize craftsmanship and linear counterpoint over the lush, kaleidoscopic orchestral colors that had previously dominated the musical landscape.12