The Cello

The violoncello or as it is better known the cello is in the chordophone classification of musical instruments. It is also in the sub-classification of stringed instruments.  It would be impossible to forget the vital role the cello plays in orchestral and chamber music as well as its abilities as a solo instrument. The conventional string quartet would be without the underpinnings of its sound as the cello is the foundation for the standard string quartet. It provides the lowest of notes among the instruments of the string quartet, supporting both the viola and the violins. The cello plays a key and vital role in string quartet performances as well as in duets with various instruments, trios, quintets, small group ensembles and of course the symphony orchestra. The cello is also very capable of being a solo instrument.

Played using a bow and/or the fingers of the right hand and fretted using the left hand fingers the cello has many articulations available which makes it a very versatile musical instrument.  Articulations such as pizzicato, staccato, sul ponticello, sul tasto and senza sordo are several of the possible articulations which broadens its use and application. The varied sounds emanating from the cello range from an expression of extreme sadness made possible in its low register, the middle register offers the expressive soulfulness this instrument is capable of and the upper register gives us the exciting and vibrant sounds adding to its overall versatility.

Historically, a variety of well known composers have written concertos and sonatas for the cello including those made famous by Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Boccherini, Haydn, and several others. Of particular noteworthiness is the collection of six solo cello suites from the internationally honored and highly recognized composer Johann Sebastian Bach who has composed and given this world an excellent repertoire for the violoncello. His cello suites are considered to be some of the most important works ever written for this instrument. The cello suites, as a collection of instrumental pieces, definitely gives the cellist an opportunity to show off the various capabilities and the sonic possibilities available from this instrument.

In this upcoming video, cellist Mischa Maisky gives an excellent performance of Bach’s Cello Suite No 1, Prelude. What is clearly demonstrated, besides Maisky’s performance skills, are the sublime sounds offered through the cello We are also given insight into the amazing suites for the violoncello composed by Bach.

We wish to thank YouTube for hosting this video as well as Mischa Maisky for this video. It is included in this article under the terms of use for non-commercial and educational purposes.

In more recent years the cello continues to gain audiences and an increasing number of cellists reflects the continued popularity of its repertoire. Such composers as Rostropovich, Debussy, Grieg, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Mendelssohn and Shostakovich have given us a much larger repertoire of concertos and sonatas for this instrument as well adding repertoire to chamber and orchestral music, where the violoncello is an important instrument in these works.

A modern twist on the performance possibilities of the cello please see this video of Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser playing their arrangement of Thunderstruck by AC/DC “BaRock” style! The video is hosted by YouTube and used here as an educational perspective about the performance styles available on the cello. This is strictly an educational use and no commercial use is intended or implied.

The cello is performed and loved the world over and it is equally enjoyed by both the avid classical music enthusiast as well as listeners of popular bands of today. Chamber music continues to be popular and many musical works have been written for the string duet, trio, quartet, quintet and other combinations of instruments such as the cello and piano and violin for example. It is highly likely that the cello will remain a popular instrument for many years to come.

We hope this general overview of the cello provides a basis for understanding this excellent musical instrument. More will be written about it including its capabilities, limitations and uses as we continue writing about the string and fretted musical instruments.

The Cello