Orchestras (previously "Favorite orchestras")

That's a tough one. What makes those you listed your favorites? Do they have a distinct sound or style that you enjoy? Are their brass sections much better than the others? Again, just doing a list without some sort of explanation as to why you have these orchestras on the list is rather boring.

For instance, there was something about the London Symphony's brass section in the late to early 80's that were a bump above the rest. Not sure why but the sound they produced was like nothing I had ever heard before. Such strength, such power... but maybe that had to do with the recording technique of Eric Tomlinson who was recording the majority of the LSO's film scores during that time.

-Erik-

While I'm sure that is indeed a huge factor in their sound at that time Eric, just watching them rehearse and record in the ESB doc also reveals the high calibre and power of their musicianship.
So I think those two elements combined is a most certainly a win situation

I must be honest that we must be very proud of our orchestras

Vlaams Radio Orkest has got more potential than most people think or assume. But of course the London is pure magic, and The Studio Symphony never let me down yet

Go Vlaams Radio Orkest

The various London orchestras are just superb, particularly the LSO, LPO and the LMO. There's a rich, powerful sound that's very irresistable.

And the various L.A. studio orchestras come to mind, but then they're expected to sight read and perform the score perfectly right then and there. And let's not forget the Northwest Sinfonia... the Grudge scores and The Incredible Hulk sound just as good as an L.A. studio orchestra.

I really think it depends on the recording especially as far as classical is concerned. Some of the Fritz Reiner/Chicago Symphony RCA Living Stereo recordings are unsurpassed yet others are blah. I use to think the Cincinnati Pops/Kunzel recordings were some of the best. Today they are blah. The Hollywood Studio Symphony does a good job for many soundtracks. Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic made some great recordings also.
Tom

LSO, HOLLYWOOD STUDIO SYMPHONY.

Top sound, top musicians although on the other hand, it would be impossible for me to list specific orchestra names in a thread that would deal on the contrary, i.e. THE WORST / LEAST FAVORITE ORCHESTRAS. So much quality music-playing and top-notch performance around these days from every field.

As for some of my classical favorites, I'd say the London Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Staatskapelle Berlin, Vienna Philharmonic, and maybe the New York Philharmonic. Granted, the quality of most of these orchestras seems to depend at times on who is conducting them...

Very well. The London Symphony are a no-brainer, as I have heard them in countless films and have loved every second of them playing. After hearing them in films, I moved on to their classical recordings, which are equally good. I was first introduced to the Chicago Symphony by a friend, and have heard them in several recordings; the sound quality of these recordings is also very, very good. The Staatskapelle Berlin I learned about recently with a recording of the Schumann symphonies. They are exceptional in all aspects, and I am already planning on purchasing more and more recordings from them. The Vienna Philharmonic I have heard in several recordings of Mahler symphonies; all the times I've heard them I have been stunned and amazed by their talent (as well as their awesome horn section ). And as for the New York Philharmonic, I have almost the entire Leonard Bernstein/New York Philharmonic cycle of the Mahler symphonies, which are all highly acclaimed, top recordings of the works, even though performed and recorded back in the '60s.

As a conductor Bernstein really was something else, a man that pushed the boundaries for getting what he wanted from his players and so incredibly passionate about every piece he conducted, a man who personally felt and experienced every single nano-second of every single note being played, having seen him conduct on TV I so wish I could have witnessed him in a live performance.

Not any of the Italian orchestras.

I find it somewhat interesting that the City of Prague Philharmonic's sound seems pretty dull and amateurish on most of their movie music albums, yet (from what I've heard so far) their sound in the new Star Wars: The Clone Wars score seems to be a major improvement. Any ideas as to why? Is it Kevin Kiner's conducting/instruction? Have they actually gotten better? I'm curious.

No takers for THE MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA?

Maybe I was wrong, about the City of Prague Philharmonic actually getting better... Upon hearing them in preview clips for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars score, they sound just as they always have... Makes me wonder what Lucas was thinking, getting an orchestra like this, rather than a more highly acclaimed ensemble. It was upon hearing these preview clips that I actually recognized the sound of the orchestra, from my younger brother's (it's on my iTunes, also) The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie OST. Is that a good thing? No! I didn't much enjoy the sound of the ensemble on that OST; now I'll have to put up with it again, but this time, playing a Star Wars score. George, what have you done?!

Nah, you're probably right. It's just sort of sad, to see Star Wars going from the LSO to the City of Prague Philharmonic. I mean, who knows? Maybe I'll actually like them this once (trying to be optimistic ). But from what I know of them, and what I've heard, I definitely don't think this was the best choice for The Clone Wars. Of course, it could be worse...

I do remember the 70 piece Prague orchestra recorded the score of the Indian movie Krrish, which also got a rare score release. The sound wasn't as rich as from other orchestras like London Philharmonic, but it was good enough nevertheless IMO. Or maybe it was but was overshadowed by the huge amounts of synths in the score...