Cello | Introduction

Cello | Introduction

This page introduces the cello. It contains:

• Web-based resources introducing the cello

• A research-based section with quotes from treatise introducing the cello

• Repertoire lists for the cello

Introduction | Resources

This section links to sites containing introductory and educational material for the cello: ACTOR members the Orchestre Métropolitain and Sonic Solvieg’s websites introducing the instrument with audio examples; the Vienna Symphonic Library’s instrument overview; Music and Arts’ overview to the instrument along with video exemplification; the Grove Music Online’s detailed introduction.

Introduction | Research

As key instrument in not only the string section, but also in the orchestra, the cello always has a dedicated section in orchestration treatises. Throughout these TOR pages on the cello, we feature quotes and figures from these treatises. This section explores quotes where various authors introduce the instrument.

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“The Violoncello (Fr. Violoncelle), the name of which is often abbreviated into ' Cello ’ (plural ‘ Celli ’), is by no means the least important of the group of stringed instru­ments with which we are now dealing. Not only does it in most places sustain the bass of the harmony, in which case it is generally doubled in the lower octave by the double-bass, but it is very often used as a melodic instrument, especially by modern composers, and (as will be seen in some of the examples to be given later,) is sometimes written above all the other strings.” (Prout, 1899. p. 51)

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“Although the principal use of the cello in the orchestra is to supply the bass part of the harmony—with the Double-Bass usually an octave below—its full, rich, penetrating tone, combined with an unusually large range, renders the cello one of the most frequently used voices in solo passages.” (Johnstone (1917, p. 12)

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“Melodies of a broad and sustained character are better adapted to the Cello than light and trifling ones; nevertheless the Violoncello pos­sesses flexibility of expression to such an extent as to make it applicable to nearly any variety of musical composition.” (Kling, 1902, p. 23)

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Introduction | Repertoire

This section links to repertoire examples for the Cello—as well as all the instruments of the orchestra. Read More ->

Repertoire Examples
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Cello