I'm wondering how to approach the layout for a work I've been commissioned to write.
It's a concerto for string quartet and string orchestra.
My first reaction would be to have the quartet as one unit, above the string section.
But then I'm thinking that the members of the string quartet are also the 1st desks of this particular string orchestra, and will, at some points, be joining their respective sections.
Any suggestions?
O/T? layout for a particular concerto
Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker
- Michel R E
- Posts: 702
- Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:16 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 2012, 25, 26
- Operating System: Windows
User of Finale since version 3.0 on Windows.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.
- MikeHalloran
- Posts: 711
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:56 am
- Finale Version: 27
- Operating System: Mac
It depends. Normally, this is pretty straightforward. The score is written out as you think it should be. The ensemble parts would have soloist cues as needed. You don’t have to include the entire lines. Multi-measure rests are fine.Michel R E wrote:I'm wondering how to approach the layout for a work I've been commissioned to write.
It's a concerto for string quartet and string orchestra.
My first reaction would be to have the quartet as one unit, above the string section.
But then I'm thinking that the members of the string quartet are also the 1st desks of this particular string orchestra, and will, at some points, be joining their respective sections.
Any suggestions?
Since the soloists are also part of the ensemble, just mark the parts Solo and Tutti as appropriate.
Are the soloists really expected to be part of the ensemble? If not, I would mark the solo lines the same but would mark Ens. Instead of Tutti and make those notes cues.
Mike Halloran
Finale 27.4.1, SmartScore X2 Pro, GPO5 & World Instruments
MacOS Ventura 14.5 (public beta); 2023 Studio M2 Ultra, 192G RAM, 8TB; 2021 MBAir M1
NotePerformer4, Dorico 5, Overture, Notion 6, DP 11, Logic Pro
Finale 27.4.1, SmartScore X2 Pro, GPO5 & World Instruments
MacOS Ventura 14.5 (public beta); 2023 Studio M2 Ultra, 192G RAM, 8TB; 2021 MBAir M1
NotePerformer4, Dorico 5, Overture, Notion 6, DP 11, Logic Pro
-
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:16 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 2010b
- Operating System: Windows
My idea would be: if the solo quartet players are going to be sitting in the regular positions of section leaders - and sitting next to a desk partner like a regular section leader would - then the soloists' staves should be grouped with the other string groups. If this is not the case, i.e. the solo quartet players are each sitting alone (even if in front of their respective string sections), their staves should be grouped together as a quartet.
Finale 2010b. Finale user since 1994.
Windows 7 & Mac OS X 10.9.5
Windows 7 & Mac OS X 10.9.5
- motet
- Posts: 8288
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
- Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
- Operating System: Windows
Interesting dilemma. I guess if the quartet plays together like a string quartet much of the time, I would keep them separate as a unit.
Here's an aria from a Mozart Opera with wind and string obligato parts that are placed together above the section strings. (This is an older edition but the new Barenreiter Neue Mozart Ausgabe does it the same way.)
Here's an aria from a Mozart Opera with wind and string obligato parts that are placed together above the section strings. (This is an older edition but the new Barenreiter Neue Mozart Ausgabe does it the same way.)
-
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2017 2:08 pm
- Finale Version: 2014, 2014.5, 25
- Operating System: Mac
Elgar wrote a piece with the same scoring. Not sure if your approach would/should be the same, but it might give you some ideas. The score is at IMSLP. Just search for Introduction and Allegro, Op. 47 (can't post the direct URL).
- Michel R E
- Posts: 702
- Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:16 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 2012, 25, 26
- Operating System: Windows
Thank-you for all the thoughtful replies.
I am suspecting that the "Elgar" approach would probably be best.. I hadn't thought when I posted my question, but there will be extensive divisi in the orchestra parts. keeping the solo quartet separate on the page will probably make things easier.
again, thank-you all for the suggestions.
michel
I am suspecting that the "Elgar" approach would probably be best.. I hadn't thought when I posted my question, but there will be extensive divisi in the orchestra parts. keeping the solo quartet separate on the page will probably make things easier.
again, thank-you all for the suggestions.
michel
User of Finale since version 3.0 on Windows.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.