Bands v orchestras?

[johnQpublic]

[Keemun]

Simply put, if you play it by blowing into it, it's a wind instrument.  Thus, the term "wind instrument" encompasses both brass and woodwinds. 

[karlhenning]

Yes; woodwind vs. brass[wind] works, but not wind vs. brass.

[mahlertitan]

Simply put, if you play it by blowing into it, it's a wind instrument.  Thus, the term "wind instrument" encompasses both brass and woodwinds. 

balloons!!

[Demonic Clarinet]

Either your equipment is overdated and weak, or you haven't heard an orchestra that has string players at a level higher than elementary school...

Nah, I've heard professionals play and I still think it sounds weak. Maybe that's just me, though.

[jochanaan]

What, no Hindemith Symphony in B-Flat for Band? 

I confess that I've never heard or played that piece.  I think I must rectify this criminal omission ASAP!

balloons!!

Can't hold onto them while you "play."

Nah, I've heard professionals play and I still think it sounds weak. Maybe that's just me, though.

There's "professional," and then there's good.  Good string players have just as much resonance in their instruments as woodwind players.

The difference between professionals and amateurs?  The professionals get paid.

[karlhenning]

I confess that I've never heard or played that piece.  I think I must rectify this criminal omission ASAP!

If I might suggest the composer himself conducting.

[jochanaan]

If I might suggest the composer himself conducting.

Noted.

[Demonic Clarinet]

There's "professional," and then there's good.  Good string players have just as much resonance in their instruments as woodwind players.

Well I'd assume the London Symphony Orchestra is fairly good...

I just am not a fan of strings. I don't know why.

Or, maybe I should rephrase: I much prefer winds.

[mahlertitan]

Well I'd assume the London Symphony Orchestra is fairly good...

I just am not a fan of strings. I don't know why.

Or, maybe I should rephrase: I much prefer winds.

If some evil person makes me pick between winds and strings, I'll definitely go with strings, i don't know why, i much prefer strings.

[Bonehelm]

Well I'd assume the London Symphony Orchestra is fairly good...

I just am not a fan of strings. I don't know why.

Or, maybe I should rephrase: I much prefer winds.

The problem is on your end. The string instruments and string players can be  perfectly resonant, thick-sounded and wonderful sounding.

[MISHUGINA]

Well I'd assume the London Symphony Orchestra is fairly good...

I just am not a fan of strings. I don't know why.

Or, maybe I should rephrase: I much prefer winds.

Listen to Berlin Phil (Karajan era), Philadelphia Orchestra under Ormandy or present day Vienna Philharmonic, then come back and enlighten us.

I'm a wind player, but wind bands bore me to death compared with string ensemble.

[Wendell_E]

The string instruments and string players can be  perfectly resonant, thick-sounded and wonderful sounding.

Yes.  When I was in high school, I went to a concert where a University band played the finale to Mahler's 3rd, and I really missed that wonderful string sound and intensity.  Maybe if Bernstein had been conducting the band...

Earlier this month I went to a concert where a where a woodwind quintet played selections from Così fan tutte, and it was wonderful, but I don't think I'd like to hear a band in the pit for the complete opera.  They also played an arrangement of Dvořák's "American" quartet which I really liked, mostly because I'm so damned sick and tired of that being the only Dvořák quartet I ever hear around here, so a little change was nice.

But as a rule, I'm perflectly content to let the composer decide which instruments should play his/her music.  0:)  And c'mon guys, strings and winds together rule!!

[karlhenning]

Well I'd assume the London Symphony Orchestra is fairly good...

I assure you, they are.

I just am not a fan of strings. I don't know why.

Or, maybe I should rephrase: I much prefer winds.

Well, as a snapshot of your ears now, can't argue with it.

Your preferences/ears may well change over time, you know.

[Demonic Clarinet]

And c'mon guys, strings and winds together rule!!

Yeah, I'd agree with that, but strings + winds often heavily overemphasizes the strings and you lose a lot of instrument variety in the winds.

I assure you, they are.

Which is my point...my reference for this opinion is listening to one of their recordings

Your preferences/ears may well change over time, you know.

Possibly, but I doubt it.

[karlhenning]

Possibly, but I doubt it.

Well, don't take my word for it now, but your doubts at this point, on that question, mean less than you think.  Our listening experience changes over life (well, for most of us anyway).  But don't answer today;  let's talk in 15 years.