The cello (often formally referred to as the violoncello) is a stringed
instrument and a member of the violin family. A cello player is
called a cellist. The cello is popular in many capacities; as a
solo instrument, in chamber music, and also as a foundation of the
modern orchestral sound. The name cello is an abbreviation of the Italian violoncello, which means "little violone". The violone is an obsolete instrument, a large viol, similar to a modern double bass. The cello is most closely associated with European classical music. It is part of the standard orchestra and features in the string quartet and many other chamber groups. A large number of concertos and sonatas have been written for it. It is less common in popular music, but the instrument is sometimes featured in pop and rock recordings. Among the most famous Baroque works for the cello are J. S. Bach's Unaccompanied Suites for Cello (or as they are more commonly known, The Bach Cello Suites). An example of a Classical-era piece would be Haydn's Cello Concerto #1 in C and#2 in D. Standard Romantic era repertoire includes Dvorák's Cello Concerto in B Minor, Cello Concerto in E Minor by Sir Edward Elgar, Le Cygne by Camille Saint-Saens, and two sonatas by Johannes Brahms. Modern compositions within the early 20th century include unaccompanied cello sonatas by Paul Hindemith (opus 25) and Zoltán Kodály (opus 8). Recordings within the Avant Garde (cutting edge) genre have revitalized the instrument's perceived versatility. One example is Night of the Four Moons by George Crumb. |
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