Does this beautiful string instrument captivate you? Whether a soloist, or in an orchestra, is your curiosity picked by its presence? You're in the right place! From its creation to its incredible expressiveness, let’s discover the cello.
What does «cello» mean?
«Little big violin», is the literal meaning of the Italian word, violoncello. «Sure, and?» you’ll tell me… Everything makes sense once you know the origins of the instrument.
In medieval times, the viol was the star of the string family: the viola da braccio later became the violin, while the viola da gamba is the cello’s ancestor. During the Renaissance, a «large viol» gained popularity, the violone in Italian (the suffix -one refers to a larger size). Soon after, in the 16th century, luthiers like Andrea Amati in Cremona, Italy, adapted the instrument in a more compact form, the violoncello (-cello indicating a smaller size). And that's how our « little big violin » was born!
Italian composers of the 17th and the 18th century established its prestige, and the cello naturally found its place in the innovative string quartet popularised by Joseph Haydn.
It used to be a real leg workout !
Have you ever noticed that cellists keep the instrument between their legs, but it is supported by an endpin? Well, that wasn't always the case: in Baroque times, they held it with the sole strength of their thighs! No need for leg day am I right?
In the mid-19th century, cello pieces demanded more and more virtuosity from the musicians – quite the challenge when musicians also had to stop the instrument from slipping. This challenge led to the ingenious invention of the endpin, generally attributed to Belgian cellist Adrien-François Servais. It not only added stability and allowed for more complex pieces, but also made the cello more accessible for women, previously hindered by their long dresses. Today, the endpin can even be used to play standing up, or on high stools!
«The instrument closest to human voice»
That’s what we often hear about the cello – and with good reason! Its timbre is as warm and nuanced as that of a singer. It can create a vibrato similar to the human voice, and express great depths of emotion… so much so that one could say the cello sings. The instrument also covers the entire range of the human voice, from the bass low register to the soprano’s high one. So, it’s hardly a surprise, that the combination with singing is a winning one!
The countless ways of the cello
Taking centre stage, portraying a character or blending in with the crowd, the cello can do it all! Its proximity to the human voice makes it perfect for illustrating a character: you’ve probably heard The Swan from Camille Saint-Saëns The Carnival of the Animals. Sergei Prokofiev found the instrument a great fit for the theme of Brother Laurent in Romeo and Juliet.
Even without portraying a character, the cello is an instrument able to produce wonderful melodies. Among the most famous ones are the Prelude to Jean-Sébastien Bach’s Cello Suite N°1 and Antonin Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, two staples of the cello repertoire.
However, our star instrument knows how to step back and let the others shine, and how to dialogue with the rest of the string family and the orchestra.
If these few anecdotes have sparked your curiosity, don't hesitate to flip through the booklet we've devoted to the subject. Artist interviews, in-depth articles, beautiful artworks: you'll find plenty to get informed until the next concert when the cello will be playing on your heartstrings…
