Combining for first desk?

Dorico
1

I’m working on a score with a good bit of divided strings, including an elaborate cello solo part (but sometimes the cello joins the tutti).

I’m generally finding it easiest to combine the divided section strings manually, at least where it’s homophonic. But what should I do about the soloist? I’m assuming the soloist will share the first desk with the second chair.

What kind of layout would you create for this? Should I just give the first desk a combined part with solo and section on two staves?

Currently I have one layout for the solo, with text for “solo” and “tutti,” and one layout for the section, which really needs two-staff proper divisi only once.

2

I agree with your layout choice.
If the solo part spans more than 30%, an extra layout is reasonable.

1 Like
3

Do you mean the layout should include solo and 2nd chair? Since they’re sharing a stand.

4

2 layouts - Solo + Tutti, Tutti with Solo cues.

1 Like
5

It depends. If the solo cello is sitting in front of the orchestra, next to the conductor, then they get their own part.

If, on the other hand, they are only a soloist part of the time and section leader otherwise, they should see what the section is doing and vice versa. Just make a single layout. As an example, you should see the violin I part of Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben, or the viola in Don Quixote. Those are both almost concertos, but still it’s just a passage marked Solo in an otherwise Tutti part.

2 Likes
6

I mean your current selection, one layout for the solo, with text for “solo” and “tutti,” and one layout for the section involving a second stand.

However if there are problems with page turns for the soloist consider to create a layout including solo and tutti for the first desk and one for the section.

2 Likes