? for musicians or symphony members

[sharbear]

We went to the symphony this weekend to hear a soloist. He is very famous in his field but not that well known to the public in general. He played a duet with his protege and a solo with the orchestra. The third number was a Haydn symphony for the orchestra (no solo parts). The guest soloist sat in the orchestra and played with the group. Most of the people that I talked to later didn't see him and did not know that he sat in with the orchestra.

Is that common or very unusual? I have never seen this happen but I don't go to the symphony very often.

 

[Galahad]

If it was an outside soloist (not normally a member of that orchestra) then it is unusual for him/her to play anything other than their solo. If it is a member of the orchestra then it can go either way. Recently, the principal violist and assistant concert master (violin) did a double concerto as part of a larger concert. They were both permanent members of the orchestra but did not play on any other pieces that concert. Hope that helps.

 

[sharbear]

Thank you. It was an outside soloist which is why I thought that it was so unusual. The soloist is a flutist and a mentor to the principal flutist in the orchestra. The guest soloist played the first flute part and his protege played the second part.