Roger Hecht writes, of first and second violins:

>That is, if they're playing different parts they by definition don't
>"sound the same."

I meant timbrally.  The composer can write "divisi" if he/she wants the
same sound playing different parts.

>No matter how many parts the violins play, they are still violins

Right, which is why the distinction between firsts and seconds must be more
than just a scoring convenience.  The distinction is only meaningful if
they sound different, which they will if the f-holes are facing different
directions.

len.