Posted by S.W. on May 18, 1999 at 11:14:52:
In Reply to: Re: "Right/Wrong"????? posted by Jon Pegis on May 15, 1999 at 12:58:35:
Splitting up the cellos and basses and the 1st and 2nd violins has to cause ensemble problems in many pieces. It seems to me that splitting up the violins is like putting the flutes and oboes on opposite sides of the stage. It makes about as much sense. It might create a stereophonic effect, but I'm sure that's not all you would get. To me, the Cleveland Orch. has always played like a huge chamber orchestra, especially when Szell was conducting. Szell used the correct seating. I have to believe that Szell would have used whatever seating allowed his musicians to play as one and hear each other. If any other seating would have accomplished that, I believe he would have used it.