| Solo and Tutti in Brahms violin concerto
If your publication is the standard Boosey edition, the tutti and solo markings are ini reference to the entire orchestra and the violin solo. There are no solos for the principal bassist nor for the section. In this particular publication the solo and tutti markings are so that you know when not to play loudly and when to play full - with the rest of the orchestra. In other music, these markings DO indicate a solo (a single player) and tutti (the entire bass section). So, you are good to question. Also in the Brahms publications are problems with octave displacement... sometime the doubling of the cello line becomes unison. It should stay doubled and the basses need to play the lower octave, usually below E (so a five string or extension is used). AND if you are reading off of Oscar Zimmerman edited orchestral parts, be sure to note that many markings, bowings, etc. are Oscar's not Brahms' They need to be re-assessed for today's more contemporary interpretations, and the finer abilities of today's players.
Best!
PN
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