Orchestra layout - London Philharmonic Orchestra

[knievel]

Just thought I'd share this just for interest...

But I saw the London Philharmonic Orchestra last weekend at the Royal Festival Hall in London (playing Ravel, Lalo, Strauss, Debussy) and they used the following set up:

                        Percussion             Drums

Double Basses       Horns                                 Brass

                   Cellos              Winds      

                                    Violas   Violas

                 1st Violins                            2nd Violins 

                                       Conductor  

Some of the cello players were actually sat next to the 1st Violins.

It sounded very fresh to my ears; hearing the basses on the left and cellos and 2nd violins almost 'swapped' from the 'normal' set up you would come to expect, gave the music new life to me!

Well I'm off now, to alter my power panning!  [:D]

Best regards,

macs

[ericsandmeyer]

I've sat in pit orchestras that are similar config., except IIRC the celli were where you have the vlas.   BTW, nice job on that diagram just using text!

[JJP]

I've seen (and used) this layout in a number of recording sessions as well.

[jasensmith]

I could be wrong but It looks like the typical German seating with maybe some slight variations.  This seating works well for music with a lot of counterpoint.     

[jammusique]

Apparently, at some periods in history, this setup was used. And of course the "pit" orchestras in opera have various layouts.

I prefer the "normal" setup though, as the main melody (often in the Vl. I) is opposite the supporting bass lines (cellos + Db)