Orchestrating For Double Winds

Hi guys. A sincere orchestration question:

I’m scoring an orchestral piece with double winds, so it can be considered by smaller symphony orchestras. However, do you think a larger symphony orchestra with full winds would disdain such a piece? I realize all orchestras encounter double winds in the old repertoire, but how would they deal with it in a new piece? Tell the third winds to sit silent? If not, what lines would the third flute, third oboe, bass clarinet & contrabassoon try to double?

Many Thanks,

Andrew

Do you think today's larger orchestras wont play the smaller scored works, because they are too big for that. I don't think so.

They just don't hire the 3rd player, or they program a concert for a smaller orchestra, or indeed let them sit silent (tacet)

I most certainly wont advise you to increase your instrumentation, just to let it played by others; you're the boss, not the other way around :)

I saw this was your first post, so let me welcome you here. Feel free to look around, comment, and we hope to see your music here as well.

Jaap

Thanks a ton, Jaap. As you probably predicted, that's just what I wanted to hear.

Andy

Ha! If anything the 3rd winds will be thankful for a day off. If your piece is most appropriate with double winds, then, by all means, do it!

Don't write for voices you don't feel need to be there. Definitely. The word "tacet" exists for a reason. ;)