Posted by David Sanders on May 13, 1999 at 07:20:56:
In Reply to: Re: Cleveland Orch. posted by Victor Sazer on May 13, 1999 at 06:26:45:
"Using “right” or “wrong” seating might be a bit too rigid terminology. It might be worth inquiring about why some
prefer one seating arrangement to another. When the celli are on the outside, they face across stage rather than
toward the audience. Some of the sound may get lost this way.
This is particularly noticeable in a string quartet. When the cellist sits on the outside facing the first violinist, the
sound does not project as well as when the cello is facing straight out toward the audience, especially to the listeners
who are seated on the left side (from the stage view) of the hall. This is often a bone of contention with string quartet
violists. Violists would rather sit in the inner position for easier projection. The cello however, since it plays the
lower tones (being the base and foundation of the group) and the lower tones are slower to project is best placed in
where its f holes can face directly toward the audience.
How would a soloist sound facing across to the side of the stage? Experiment have been done showing that it does
make a difference."
A cello section is not a solo cello, or a string quartet cellist.
I never, ever, not even once in 17 years of the "right" seating with Solti, EVER hear anybody complain that they couldn't hear the cellos because we weren't facing out.
However, since we've been moved to the various "wrong' seatings, there have been many complaints about how you can't hear the violas (in wrong seating no. 1" or the 2nd violins (in wrong seating no. 2)
I WONDER why that is???????
Don't fix it if it aint broke.
David Sanders