"When I first wrote for orchestra, I didn't realize, when you have 20 people playing a violin line, that is very different than one person playing that line"

David Del Tredici's quote provides a profound reflection on the subtleties of orchestration and the inherent intricacy of composing for a big ensemble. At its core, the quote highlights a crucial knowing experience for composers transitioning from composing for solo instruments to a complete orchestra.

The essence of Del Tredici's insight lies in the awareness that the amount of lots of parts differs drastically from a particular element. When a composer writes a line for a single violin, it carries with it an unique and individualistic quality, both in noise and emotional effect. It's intimate and personal, allowing the subtleties of the musician's analysis to shine through. Every inflection and subtlety is magnified in the soloist's performance.

In contrast, when 20 violinists play the very same line in unison, the impact is fundamentally transformed. The collective noise is enriched and magnified; it ends up being something far greater in scope and depth. This multitude of voices produces a lavish, more textured sound, offering a powerful sense of unity and strength. The line handles a grandeur that can just be achieved through ensemble playing.

Del Tredici's revelation highlights the importance of orchestration as an art form in itself. It requires a deep understanding of how private instruments interact and mix. The obstacle is to harness the orchestra's potential to develop a balanced and articulate entire, where each part supports the others to enhance the desired psychological and musical expression.

This insight also shows a wider awareness of scale and characteristics in musical composition. It presents a metaphor on collaboration, where the individual contributions of numerous combine to develop a richer, more extensive outcome than any might attain alone. Del Tredici's experience strengthens that orchestration is not just about doubling lines, but about crafting an orchestral identity that leverages the collective capacity of its musicians.