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Is it possible, without any rehearsal, relying solely on sight-reading?
Are there any experiments of this kind with octets, nonets, maytbe entire orchestras?

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2 Answers

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Yes. High-paid studio musicians are all expected to sight read perfectly on the first read. There are even programs to illustrate and develop the skill for younger musicians. Many movie soundtracks are recordings of first-time sight reading.

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It's cheaper also. You don't have to pay musicians as much for time. – Luke Aug 7 '12 at 19:47
However hourly rate can be around the $1000/hr mark, so cheaper is relative. – mjibson Aug 7 '12 at 22:38
Possible, but in reality how many composers and conductors are happy with the first read? It takes a number of rehearsals to get the nuances perfect. In movies, you may have other considerations that have to work with other sound elements (Foley, dialogue). A first read by competent musicians is certainly possible, but getting what the composer or director or conductor wants in a first read is rare. – filzilla Aug 8 '12 at 18:12
Anecdote I was told by my band director: over half of the recordings for the Star Wars Ep. 1 soundtrack were first reads. I think these musicians are some of the world's best, and can actually perform at that level. – mjibson Aug 8 '12 at 18:37
Anecdote: Listen to Frank Sinatra's recording of "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)". He sings it once through, but it's written with a first ending back to the beginning, with the pickup note and the word "it's" ("It's quarter to three...") The song ends "the road, that long, long road." Frankie sings "the road, that long, long, it's long." Was he seeing the music for the very first time as he sang it for the recording? Yes, musicians can play or sing it on sight, no rehearsal, one take, and get a hit record. – Mark Lutton Aug 11 '12 at 1:54
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I doubt, a full symphonic orchestra will achieve a breath-taking recording on the first attempt. Of course anybody knows its Beethoven, so it is not exactly sight-reading, but these points make it difficult:

  • the conductors individual interpretation

  • increased complexity of voice interaction

  • sheer area of a late-romantic orchestra make it challenge to hear soloists from remote groups

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