The open question
Who decides where the sections of the orchestra sit?

In this section, we answer questions you’ve always wanted to ask the Berliner Philharmoniker – about what happens onstage, behind the scenes, or about the orchestra in general.

The answer is simple: the conductors. It’s their responsibility to ensure the best possible presentation of the music. In doing so, they naturally take several basic factors into account: What repertoire is being performed? What is the acoustic environment of the hall? How well do the instrumental sections blend with one another? And of course, the practical question: “Do I have a good line of sight to the musicians?”

That said, there are certain traditions regarding orchestral seating that most conductors follow – sometimes with slight adjustments, often in consultation with the orchestra’s board.

One general principle is that the instrumental sections are arranged by volume: the softer strings sit at the front, followed by the more powerful woodwinds, then the louder brass, and finally the percussion at the back. The layout of the string sections from left to right can vary. There’s the so-called “American” setup (first violins, second violins, violas, cellos) and a common variation of it (first violins, second violins, cellos, violas). The Berliner Philharmoniker alternate between this version and the “German” setup, in which the first and second violins sit opposite each other with the cellos and violas in between. And the double basses? They can be positioned either on the left or the right behind the strings. Even the horns in the brass section may switch sides from one setup to another.

A distinctive feature of the Berliner Philharmoniker: within the string sections, apart from the front desks, there are no fixed positions – the players rotate regularly. “The great thing about this is that we get to know each other especially well,” says violinist and orchestra board member Eva-Maria Tomasi. “It also sharpens our chamber music listening skills.”