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Original poster

Orchestra member not doing anything. Why?

52 replies

Handyweatherstation · 02/09/2023 17:05

This afternoon I was watching a of an orchestra playing Beethoven's 'Pastoral' and noticed one member of the orchestra with no instrument. He's in the middle, near the back, as in the pic.

Why doesn't he have an instrument and what is his role? Does anyone know?

Orchestra member not doing anything. Why?
OP posts:
EufyProsser · 02/09/2023 17:06

Is there anything more embarrassing than getting to work and realising you've forgotten your cello?

EyesEars · 02/09/2023 17:06

I need to know the answer too now!

EyesEars · 02/09/2023 17:07

EufyProsser · 02/09/2023 17:06

Is there anything more embarrassing than getting to work and realising you've forgotten your cello?

🤣

Original poster
Handyweatherstation · 02/09/2023 17:07

This is driving me daft...

OP posts:
Original poster
Handyweatherstation · 02/09/2023 17:08

EufyProsser · 02/09/2023 17:06

Is there anything more embarrassing than getting to work and realising you've forgotten your cello?

Maybe he's on some sort of naughty step? See! Now everyone knows you forgot your cello!

OP posts:
Itisyourturntowashthebath · 02/09/2023 17:09

Maybe he dings a triangle in the forth movement.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/09/2023 17:10

Maybe they thought it would look better than an empty seat (if someone was ill).

Fulltimeendo · 02/09/2023 17:10

Maybe he identifies as a musician but can’t play anything

Original poster
Handyweatherstation · 02/09/2023 17:11

LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/09/2023 17:10

Maybe they thought it would look better than an empty seat (if someone was ill).

Surely they'd just move the other chairs a bit closer together? It looks really strange with someone just sitting there.

OP posts:
BaconWaffles · 02/09/2023 17:11

maybe percussion in the last movement

maybe he plays an instrument that's not in this piece, and was told to be on stage for the filming or wanted to listen.

In some pieces, it could be an unusual instrument that only appears rarely, or could be a soloist who sings, but not in this one.

NuffSaidSam · 02/09/2023 17:12

Fulltimeendo · 02/09/2023 17:10

Maybe he identifies as a musician but can’t play anything

🤣

Original poster
Handyweatherstation · 02/09/2023 17:12

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 02/09/2023 17:09

Maybe he dings a triangle in the forth movement.

Is there a triangle in the fourth movement? I hadn't noticed.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 02/09/2023 17:13

Are they an orchestra that does singing pieces as they may be singers .

Sporkle99 · 02/09/2023 17:14

But he plays a flute or more likely a piccolo later on so it only really applies to your snapshot.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 02/09/2023 17:14

Is he not in the Woodwind Section beside a flautist? Players of less frequently used woodwinds don't tend to sit there fiddling with their Piccolo for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Movements, they sit there neatly and silently until it's their part.

determinedtomakethiswork · 02/09/2023 17:15

LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/09/2023 17:10

Maybe they thought it would look better than an empty seat (if someone was ill).

Just remove the seat then!

HeddaGarbled · 02/09/2023 17:15

Guy next to him is the same, I think.

HobnobsChoice · 02/09/2023 17:16

Piccolo player! You can see him playing at about 35m10s

Borough · 02/09/2023 17:16

Also, he's sat next to Frasier Crane!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 02/09/2023 17:17

Is this him at 18.52?

Sporkle99 · 02/09/2023 17:18

HobnobsChoice · 02/09/2023 17:16

Piccolo player! You can see him playing at about 35m10s

And at multiple other times 😅

HobnobsChoice · 02/09/2023 17:24

Sporkle99 · 02/09/2023 17:18

And at multiple other times 😅

Show quote history

I just Fast forward for ages until I got to the fourth movement and then picked a spot to stop and find if he was indeed the piccolo!

Original poster
Handyweatherstation · 02/09/2023 17:25

HobnobsChoice · 02/09/2023 17:16

Piccolo player! You can see him playing at about 35m10s

Oh thank heavens! Thank you, that was driving me nuts.

OP posts:
Original poster
Handyweatherstation · 02/09/2023 17:25

Sporkle99 · 02/09/2023 17:18

And at multiple other times 😅

Show quote history

Meh. How did I miss that?

OP posts:
Sporkle99 · 02/09/2023 17:26

HobnobsChoice · 02/09/2023 17:24

I just Fast forward for ages until I got to the fourth movement and then picked a spot to stop and find if he was indeed the piccolo!

Show quote history

Ah it wasn't a criticism. Just think it's hilarious the OP is trying to work out what this mysterious new orchestral role is when in reality it's just a dude with a piccolo.

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