Proving the point that it’s not the size of the orchestra, it’s what you do with it, OT’s new suite shrinks the string section to chamber size

The string section is commonly the largest of the orchestral units; you need that many players to balance with the wind, brass and percussion, but sometimes string scoring requires smaller forces, for a more intimate performance. That’s where OT enter the frame, with a new package inspired by composer Peteris Vasks, and specifically his chamber string work, which is ironically titled ‘Voices’.

Three desks good!

Vasks Strings is a deeply sampled chamber strings library, offering all of the usual articulations, with a host of more unusual ‘gesture’ articulations, providing some new and enticing colours for the string palette.

Let’s deal with the forces first. The main library is sampled from six first violins, five second violins, four violas, four cello and three basses. The sample capture was performed by Sinfonietta Riga, who are an acclaimed Latvian performing ensemble. This is important, as players that work together regularly are more likely to yield a better performance, which will result in better ensemble work across the group. Sample capture was undertaken in the beautiful surrounding of St John’s Church, also in Riga, with both close/spot miking and an Omni Tree arrangement. As a consequence, the overall capture may be beautifully blended, achieving the perfect balance between a close signal, and the church ambience. It’s perfect, for an ensemble of this kind. There is a healthy degree of purity in the sound, although things can get emotive and expressive, when they need to.