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Cello: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Cello
The name cello is a linguistic paradox that hides a complex history of musical evolution. Derived from the Italian violoncello, meaning little violone, the instrument was originally conceived as a small version of the large violone, yet it grew to become the bass voice of the string family. This naming convention reflects a time when the violin family was still distinguishing itself from the older viola da gamba family. The violone, or big viola, was a large instrument that existed alongside the precursors to the modern cello for about two and a half centuries. Unlike the viola da gamba, which was held between the legs, the cello belongs to the viola da braccio family, meaning viola for the arm, a design choice that allowed for greater mobility and volume. The earliest surviving cellos date back to the early 16th century, crafted by Andrea Amati, the first known member of the celebrated Amati family of luthiers in Italy. These instruments were not standardized in size or tuning, and the cello did not evolve from the viola da gamba but rather existed alongside it, eventually replacing it in most countries by the end of the 17th century, except in England and France where the gamba family survived longer.
Bach And The Five String
Johann Sebastian Bach composed six unaccompanied suites for the cello that remain the cornerstone of the solo repertoire, yet these works were originally written for a five-string instrument known as the violoncello piccolo. This Baroque variant featured an additional high E string, an octave below the violin's E string, allowing the cellist to play passages that would otherwise be impossible on a four-string instrument. Bach's sixth suite, BWV 1012, was specifically composed for this five-string cello, and the instrument's design allowed for a range that extended higher than the modern standard. The neck of the Baroque cello had a different form and angle, and the fingerboard was shorter, as the highest notes were not often called for in the music of that era. Baroque cellos were held only by the calves of the player, lacking the endpin that modern instruments use to support the weight. The strings were made of gut, with the G and C strings wire-wound, and the bows curved outward, held closer to the point of balance, producing a softer, less projecting tone with fewer overtones than the modern instrument. Despite these differences, the music written for the five-string cello has been adapted for the modern four-string instrument, preserving the legacy of Bach's innovative approach to the instrument's capabilities.
The Endpin Revolution
The modern cello is defined by a simple metal spike known as the endpin, which was introduced by Adrien Servais in 1845 to give the instrument greater stability. Before this invention, the cello was held between the calves of the player, a position that limited the instrument's range and volume. The endpin allowed the cello to rest on the floor, transmitting some of the sound through the floor and enabling the player to use both hands more freely. This innovation coincided with changes in string-making technology around 1680, which made it possible to play lower-pitched notes on shorter strings. Antonio Stradivari, the master luthier, began making smaller cellos during and after 1707, a design that offered fuller tonal projection and a greater range of expression. The endpin also allowed for the development of more complex playing techniques, as the player could focus on the upper register without worrying about the instrument slipping. The endpin is now retractable and adjustable, enabling performers of different ages and body sizes to customize the instrument to their needs. This simple addition transformed the cello from a chamber instrument into a powerful solo voice capable of filling concert halls.
The name cello is derived from the Italian violoncello, meaning little violone. It was originally conceived as a small version of the large violone yet grew to become the bass voice of the string family.
When were the earliest surviving cellos created?
The earliest surviving cellos date back to the early 16th century. These instruments were crafted by Andrea Amati, the first known member of the celebrated Amati family of luthiers in Italy.
Who invented the endpin for the cello?
Adrien Servais introduced the metal endpin in 1845 to give the instrument greater stability. Before this invention, the cello was held between the calves of the player.
What instrument did Johann Sebastian Bach compose his six suites for?
Johann Sebastian Bach composed six unaccompanied suites for the cello that were originally written for a five-string instrument known as the violoncello piccolo. His sixth suite, BWV 1012, was specifically composed for this five-string cello.
Where is the cello section located in a symphony orchestra?
In the standard symphony orchestra, the cello section is located on stage left. It is positioned opposite the first violin section and typically includes ten to fourteen cellists.
Which 20th-century cellist inspired composers to write major concertos?
Mstislav Rostropovich, a 20th-century virtuoso cellist, inspired, commissioned, and premiered dozens of new works that expanded the cello repertoire. Composers such as Sergei Prokofiev, Benjamin Britten, and Dmitri Shostakovich wrote major concertos specifically for him.
In the standard symphony orchestra, the cello section is located on stage left, opposite the first violin section, and typically includes ten to fourteen cellists. The principal cellist sits closest to the audience, determining bowings for the section and playing solos when required. While the cello often provides the bass part of the string section, it is frequently reinforced an octave lower by the double basses. The instrument's role has expanded beyond the bass voice, with many composers giving it a melodic role in chamber music and orchestral works. The cello is a critical part of orchestral music, with all symphonic works involving the cello section, and many pieces requiring cello soli or solos. The instrument's versatility has made it a favorite among composers, from the Baroque era to the present day. The cello's ability to play both the bass and the soprano range has made it a unique voice in the orchestra, capable of expressing a wide range of emotions and musical ideas. The cello section is often the heart of the orchestra, providing the low-register harmony that supports the higher strings and woodwinds.
The Virtuoso And The Composer
Mstislav Rostropovich, a 20th-century virtuoso cellist, inspired, commissioned, and premiered dozens of new works that expanded the cello repertoire. His influence was so profound that composers such as Sergei Prokofiev, Benjamin Britten, and Dmitri Shostakovich wrote major concertos specifically for him. Rostropovich's collaborations with these composers resulted in works that became part of the standard repertoire, including Prokofiev's Symphony-Concerto, Britten's Cello Symphony, and Shostakovich's concertos. The cello's repertoire grew immensely in the 20th century, partly due to the influence of cellists like Gaspar Cassadó, Aldo Parisot, Gregor Piatigorsky, Siegfried Palm, and Julian Lloyd Webber. These performers inspired composers to write large-scale pieces for cello and orchestra, which are concertos in all but name. The cello's ability to express deep emotion and technical complexity made it a favorite among composers, and the instrument's repertoire continues to expand with new works being written for it today. The cello's role as a solo instrument has been cemented by the efforts of these virtuoso performers, who have pushed the boundaries of what the instrument can achieve.
The String And The Wood
The cello is typically made from carved wood, with a spruce top and maple back, sides, and neck. The body has a wide top bout, narrow middle formed by two C-bouts, and wide bottom bout, with the bridge and F holes just below the middle. The fingerboard and pegs are generally made from ebony, as it is strong and does not wear out easily. The bridge holds the strings above the cello and transfers their vibrations to the top of the instrument and the soundpost inside. The soundpost, a round wooden cylinder wedged between the top and bottom plates, connects the back and front of the cello. Together, the bass bar and soundpost transfer the strings' vibrations to the top of the instrument, acting as a diaphragm to produce the sound. The cello is constructed and repaired using hide glue, which is strong but reversible, allowing for disassembly when needed. The instrument's design allows for a wide range of sounds, from the deep, resonant bass to the bright, singing soprano. The cello's construction has remained largely unchanged since the Baroque era, with modern cellos being a refinement of the designs created by luthiers like Andrea Amati and Antonio Stradivari.
The Rock And The Classical
The cello has found a home in popular music, with bands such as the Beatles, Cher, and Pink Floyd using the instrument in their recordings. The Beatles used the cello in songs such as Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, and Strawberry Fields Forever, while Cher's Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) featured a prominent cello part. The Electric Light Orchestra enjoyed great commercial success by adding the cello to the standard rock combo line-up, and Pink Floyd included a cello solo in their 1970 epic instrumental Atom Heart Mother. The cello has also been used in jazz, with bassists Oscar Pettiford and Harry Babasin among the first to use the instrument as a solo instrument. Contemporary jazz cellists include Ron Carter, Dave Holland, and David Darling. The cello has also been used in Indian classical music, with cellists such as Saskia Rao-de Haas and Nancy Lesh playing duets with sitarists. The instrument's versatility has made it a favorite among musicians in a wide range of genres, from classical to rock, jazz, and world music. The cello's ability to blend with other instruments and its expressive range have made it a unique voice in the world of popular music.
The Physics Of Sound
When a string is bowed or plucked, it vibrates and moves the air around it, producing sound waves. Because the string is quite thin, not much air is moved by the string itself, and consequently, if the string was not mounted on a hollow body, the sound would be weak. In acoustic stringed instruments such as the cello, this lack of volume is solved by mounting the vibrating string on a larger hollow wooden body. The vibrations are transmitted to the larger body, which can move more air and produce a louder sound. A string's fundamental pitch can be adjusted by changing its stiffness, which depends on tension and length. Tightening a string stiffens it by increasing both the outward forces along its length and the net forces it experiences during a distortion. A cello can be tuned by adjusting the tension of its strings, by turning the tuning pegs mounted on the pegbox and tension adjusters on the tailpiece. The cello's design allows for a wide range of sounds, from the deep, resonant bass to the bright, singing soprano. The instrument's construction and playing techniques have been refined over centuries to produce the rich, expressive sound that is characteristic of the cello today.