 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-06-01 11:47
Apart from the strings who usually fall into a fairly standard seating arrangement, what do you think is the best seating plan for woodwinds and brass if there's plenty of room?
Last time I did it the layout was:
(Timps) - Basset horns 2 - 1 - Bassoons 1 - 2 - Trumpets 2 - 1 - Trombones 1 - 2 - 3
If there's less room the basset horns and bassoons will be at the front and the brass and timps behind:
Trumpets 2 -1 - Trombones 1 - 2 - 3
Basset horns 2 - 1 - Bassoons 1 - 2
But if space isn't an issue, wouldn't this arrangement be better?:
Bassoons 2 - 1 - Basset horns 1 - 2 - Trumpets 2 - 1 - Trombones 1 - 2 - 3
and timps to either the left or right.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: John25
Date: 2009-06-01 13:27
An interesting observation, Chris. In the 50 or 60 times I've played the "Requiem" the layout has always been as your first layout, I think on the basis that the higher instruments go on the conductor's left. Your last suggestion could improve the sound, with bass coming from both sides. This could also apply to a number of other orchestral pieces, but is never adopted.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-06-01 15:04
IMHO, it's always a bad idea to have the trumpets sitting behind the clarinets. Putting them in the back row with everyones chairs and stands in front of them just gives them the excuse for "blastissimo" because they have to project more and play louder, and louder, etc etc--usually directly into my ear (ouch). I've often wondered why not help them (and their overblown chops) by placing all the brass in the rows just behind the strings thereby allowing them to play at more comfortable, less offensive dynamic levels. In a more perfect orchestral world, I would position all the brass somewhere in the second "tier" of the seating arrangement with the woodwinds sitting behind. In fact, those poor trumpets who need to have the faces turn red in order to be heard might be more effectively placed way off to the side directly behind the last row of first violins.
So, Chris, both my ears and I, like your seating suggestion with the woodwinds, brass & percussion, in a row, side by side.
Post Edited (2009-06-01 15:12)
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-06-02 16:42
Last time I did it we had the horns behind the clarinets..the trumpets to the right of the wood winds with the timpani..beside the timpani in fact. Just behind the 1st strings.
David Dow
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2009-06-02 18:15
Well the way i've done ths on both modern and period bassets is this.
Strings in the usual position
(behind violas and or celli) 1st basset and bassoon, seconds either side
Trombones in the same line bassoon end
trumpets and timps the other side
Chamber organ and basses together
This it obviously subject to change but generally basset's, bassoons and trombones together.
Peter Cigleris
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