Love the show. Curious about the musicians in the orchestra though. Are they members of a real orchestra (which one if true) or all they all actors pretending to play the instruments?
shareSorry to say most are likely actors. Some scenes are way off in their mimicking. The editors do a good job of keeping the performance shots brief enough to not really spot the fumbling, but it's there!
shareThey are members of two busy amateur orchestras (Chelsea Symphony, New Westchester Symphony) with a few professionals and even the author of the book the series is based on. They are paid through a special agreement with the musicians' union. The actors playing in the orchestra have all had nearly two years of lessons and all can really play. The amateur orchestras are credited. In a few instances, some of the real musicians end up on another instrument when they are short violins, etc.
shareGlad to hear!
shareI've played in many (amateur) orchestras, and it looks like most of the actors playing in the orchestra (string players particularly) are not using good technique on their instruments. It's hard to watch in some cases.
shareThe speaking roles are all actors I believe, I recognize most of them from other things. I don't know if they have any musical background.
shareSaffron already played (her third cello role) and studies with NY Philharmonic principal cellist Carter Brey. The rest of them had lessons for months and each one had a very good professional of their instrument on set at all times.
shareWish they had done the same with the lead.
"Rodrigo" obviously can't conduct, although I must say he's faking a bit better than season 1. That was really painful to watch.
And he either had no violin coach or ignored him or didn't practice enough. No way a violinist of any stature would still hold that violin like a 3rd grader. An actor faking the violin is all in the posture, hand and instrument positions. That "broken wrist" was a dead giveaway. Likewise holding the instrument in front instead of to the side. He holds his baton like he's going to squeeze the life out of it.