Because orchestral musicians have absolutely no rhythm or feel whatsoever.
They're trained to be machines that only do what they're told, in much the same way as one of those old organs with the punched paper music roll things... They're essentially covers bands don't forget, and we all know that they're generally the ones who couldn't make it with they're own ideas.

There's no arguing how incredibly good some of them are are playing what they're told and of course there will be exceptions to the rule but it think that's what it boils down to. They don't have to think about what they're playing so would have no idea how to if it was ever required.

That and the fact that every conductor/whatever probably has a slightly different arrangement of the same piece so even if they did 'learn' the stuff it would never sound any good all together as they'd all be playing differently. Also quite difficult to have a 'band practice' when each song is an hour long or whatever...
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Thu 25 Feb 2010, 15:28, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

nicely explained
however, an hour long song is easy!

try doing it when you are stoned as a mofo!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 25 Feb 2010, 16:57, Reply)