Recording Orchestra and Other Classical Music Ensembles

4

The Orchestra and Its Various Iterations

This chapter is an overview of how various conductors and orchestras choose to physically arrange the orchestra members on the stage. Some prefer to split the first and second violins left and right, others like them to sit together on one side, and for various reasons. Many orchestras sit with cellos on the outside, and others prefer to place the violas in that position. Physical constraints of stage size versus the number of musicians required to perform each piece frequently play a role in stage placement decisions. These seating arrangements each have different effects on the recorded sound so it is important that it be discussed. Such a large ensemble needs to be placed on the stage so that the ...