Introducing the Baroque Piccolo Cello

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  • Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
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    0:00 Introduction
    0:15 Five string tuning
    0:31 The sound
    0:40 The instrument
    1:06 Bach's use of the piccolo cello
    1:56 Excerpt of Bach's BWV6
    2:33 Violin family instruments before standardisation
    3:13 Different approach to playing
    4:05 Performance of Bach's Suite No.6, Gavotte II
    ----
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 124

  • @kurtkaufman
    @kurtkaufman 2 місяці тому +125

    The D major suite by J. S. Bach contains much upper range passage work which, because it's difficult to play, inevitably results in a certain increased intensity on a four-string cello. Playing the same suite on a five string cello relaxes the sound and changes the character of the piece as performed.

    • @clancywiggam
      @clancywiggam 2 місяці тому +2

      Interesting. I'd love to hear that.

    • @peterwollenberg4905
      @peterwollenberg4905 2 місяці тому +5

      @@clancywiggam Look for the excellent 1998 recording by Pieter Wispelwey, he uses a cello piccolo in places for this recording.

    • @petertrubody8463
      @petertrubody8463 2 місяці тому +1

      Could you please put more videos out on the piccolo cello

  • @vinny142
    @vinny142 2 місяці тому +34

    Made in 1739, almost 300 years old.
    If only it could talk.
    Ofcourse it will have had it's little repairs here and there but the fact that it is still being played today is a testament to the workmanship of mister Schonger.

  • @JessmanChicken86
    @JessmanChicken86 2 місяці тому +125

    It's a bit like if you combined a cello, violin, and viola into one instrument. I absolutely love it.

    • @JScaranoMusic
      @JScaranoMusic 2 місяці тому +13

      Yeah, there are five-string violas that have a high E string. This is just that but an octave lower. Very interesting.

    • @loiman4179
      @loiman4179 2 місяці тому

      How

    • @JScaranoMusic
      @JScaranoMusic 2 місяці тому +2

      @@loiman4179 A violin has G, D, A, and E strings; a viola has C, G, D, and A - the same as the lowest three on the violin and another one that's lower. A cello also has C, G, D, and A, but an octave lower.
      This has C, G, D, A and E, combing all the strings of the violin and viola, but an octave lower like the cello.

    • @WhoDis-se2uq
      @WhoDis-se2uq 2 місяці тому

      Ew no, not a viola 🤢🤮
      I’m kidding don’t come after me

  • @linc8983
    @linc8983 2 місяці тому +34

    This came on my feed. The last piece played was just beautiful and the way the low notes collide with the high ones is just marvelous. I enjoyed this an awful lot.

  • @andycordy5190
    @andycordy5190 2 місяці тому +13

    Bach's genius is ever inspiring. For me, never more so in his French inflected works. The Gavotte here is somehow unmistakable but also richly flavoured by the sound of French dance music for Viols. Gorgeous.

  • @victotronics
    @victotronics 2 місяці тому +30

    I love these presentations of instruments I may never have heard of.

  • @aegirosaurusichthyosaur541
    @aegirosaurusichthyosaur541 2 місяці тому +28

    VERY nice! Beautiful instrument

  • @Tyltonstudios
    @Tyltonstudios 2 місяці тому +15

    I literally screamed “Yes” when i saw the new upload. Also, the new background is really nice.

  • @notmyworld44
    @notmyworld44 2 місяці тому +2

    If it ain't Baroque, don't fix it! I kept waiting for her to play a lyrical passage on that E-string. I enjoyed the video.

  • @alastairwilson457
    @alastairwilson457 2 місяці тому +3

    What a wonderful instrument, beautifully played and explained. I must get one!

  • @EdMcF1
    @EdMcF1 2 місяці тому +36

    So what you're saying is 'It's a sort of big viola.' 🙂

    • @vibratingstring
      @vibratingstring 2 місяці тому +7

      An enormous octave violin or, er, a bowed Irish bouzouki!

    • @kellysikorski1824
      @kellysikorski1824 2 місяці тому +2

      No, a normal cello is a big viola. This is a big 5-string violin.

  • @antoinepetrov
    @antoinepetrov 2 місяці тому +4

    Yay, another video from this series! We're all blessed

  • @tabd3277
    @tabd3277 Місяць тому

    Wow those doubles-stops were beautiful. So rich and full sounding. Gave me goosebumps. Thank you for the really interesting information.

  • @alantracy6757
    @alantracy6757 2 місяці тому +5

    What a beautiful deep sound it makes, that low C# note

    • @phineas1117
      @phineas1117 Місяць тому

      It’s a D because it’s tuned in A=415Hz instead of A=440Hz

  • @bigsarge2085
    @bigsarge2085 2 місяці тому +6

    Very cool and interesting!

  • @kidmohair8151
    @kidmohair8151 2 місяці тому +10

    there is a certain something about the people
    who decide to make the cello their means of expressing
    their art.
    sidebar: there's more than a touch of hurdy-gurdy in that last piece.

  • @jonathan7140
    @jonathan7140 2 місяці тому +5

    Fantastic sounding instrument!

  • @donalddonaldson7404
    @donalddonaldson7404 2 місяці тому +2

    Thank you.

  • @jochanaan58
    @jochanaan58 2 місяці тому +5

    Very interesting! I've played BWV6 but on modern instruments (I played English horn--love the first air!), and I had no idea the "cello" part was actually for cello piccolo!

  • @JulieAnnGilman
    @JulieAnnGilman 2 місяці тому +3

    Truly beautiful

    • @LyleGlenn
      @LyleGlenn 2 місяці тому

      Agreed, and so is the dark cello.

  • @vibratingstring
    @vibratingstring 2 місяці тому +4

    Delicious sound. Wonderful explanation. I hope you tour the USA someday soon!

  • @oldcrow6990
    @oldcrow6990 2 місяці тому +2

    So beautiful. I miss playing cello. Thank you!

  • @martinmulvany1157
    @martinmulvany1157 2 місяці тому +1

    Sounds beautiful.

  • @B1bthinkin
    @B1bthinkin 2 місяці тому +2

    Thank you for this introduction to such a beautiful instrument.

  • @MemphiStig
    @MemphiStig 2 місяці тому +1

    I've been studying music most of my life. I have a Music Education degree, and a ridiculous number of hours in college. I even studied cello for 5 years. And I've never heard of this instrument. Or the Bass violin I saw on Antiques Roadshow a couple of months ago. Beautiful sound. Amazing that the instrument you're playing is older than the USA.

  • @allthumbs3792
    @allthumbs3792 2 місяці тому +1

    Lovely!! Hope to hear more of this wonderful extended range cello.

  • @jesuisravi
    @jesuisravi 2 місяці тому +1

    beautiful instrument and beautifully played...

  • @omorsebrown
    @omorsebrown 2 місяці тому

    Really beautiful playing!

  • @hansvonhochtann2739
    @hansvonhochtann2739 2 місяці тому +1

    you can really see in her paying how much she loves this cello and how much they are becoming one while playing

  • @angelabrady9342
    @angelabrady9342 2 місяці тому +7

    Such a pretty instrument with the trimming around fingerboard, pegs etc. (curious to know if it was bone, ivory or a pale timber?).
    Also, old is the bow? Is it high tensioned, or the wood just shaped that way for this era instrument?

    • @Nepeta-Leijon
      @Nepeta-Leijon 2 місяці тому

      im a violinist, not a cellist, so i dont know for sure, but violin bows from the era have a similar shape so i would guess cello bows were similar back then

  • @sommelierofstench
    @sommelierofstench 2 місяці тому +1

    something special about an instrument so old

  • @oulunsaloensemble
    @oulunsaloensemble 2 місяці тому

    Such a beautiful instrument. ✨🙌 Thanks for the video!

  • @GuitarUniverse2013
    @GuitarUniverse2013 2 місяці тому

    It’s fantastic! It’s beautiful, you’re beautiful, and the variety of instruments that were available for that time. Continues to amaze us. Thank you so so much for bringing us to our attention! Keep playing…

  • @yugandali
    @yugandali 2 місяці тому +6

    I grumble and gripe about UA-cam's ads and swear never to support the advertisers, but where else can we see such fascinating clips?

  • @leoperarm
    @leoperarm 2 місяці тому +1

    Love these videos

  • @Dan.Parker
    @Dan.Parker 2 місяці тому

    I have often thought that violins are quite limited and actually hard at times to listen to. Your explanation about how string instruments were much more diverse several hundred years ago makes perfect sense.

  • @kansasllama
    @kansasllama 2 місяці тому

    Absolutely gorgeous

  • @truthinesssss
    @truthinesssss 2 місяці тому

    Delightful, thank you. ☀️

  • @yvesdelombaerde5909
    @yvesdelombaerde5909 2 місяці тому +2

    « When 285 Years Old You Reach, Look As Good You Will Not »

  • @ivormalherbe4502
    @ivormalherbe4502 2 місяці тому +3

    Without the low C, isn't it a "Tenor Violin" as described by Auguste Tolbecque ? Thank so much for this video.

  • @francoisvillon1300
    @francoisvillon1300 2 місяці тому +3

    It would be entertaining to see it next to a 'regular' cello.

  • @caiogarzeri7831
    @caiogarzeri7831 2 місяці тому

    very interesting and beautiful!

  • @hildegerdhaugen7864
    @hildegerdhaugen7864 2 місяці тому +1

    Love it.

  • @RockStarOscarStern634
    @RockStarOscarStern634 2 місяці тому +9

    It's a 5 string Cello (I have one too) and actually it can be used to play Violin music an Octave Lower than written

    • @johkkarkalis8860
      @johkkarkalis8860 2 місяці тому +2

      Yes!
      The instrument is the only way to play the D major 6th cello suite
      It gets ones attention after hearing the first 5 of these essential works.
      It amazes me that any instruments survive from Bach's time..
      Tender loving care, I would wager.

    • @RockStarOscarStern634
      @RockStarOscarStern634 2 місяці тому +2

      @@johkkarkalis8860 But Violin music an Octave lower, this instrument is going to be quite useful

    • @johkkarkalis8860
      @johkkarkalis8860 2 місяці тому +2

      @@RockStarOscarStern634 The 1st time I heard the 6th cello suite by Bach played by Nikolaus Harnoncourt on a mid 17th century piccolo violoncello my ears perked up, "Wow! What a sound!".
      For this 84 year old kid Bach travels well indeed -- I wouldn't doubt that "Art of Fugue" would sound just fine, performed by a kazoo quartet.

    • @RockStarOscarStern634
      @RockStarOscarStern634 2 місяці тому +1

      @@johkkarkalis8860 Bach's Violin Sonatas and Partitas actually should work on the 5 String Cello too

    • @dougmiles7124
      @dougmiles7124 2 місяці тому +1

      It almost fits logically between a viola and cello, like a missing link.

  • @gustavocortesmunizaga814
    @gustavocortesmunizaga814 2 місяці тому

    Thank you!!!

  • @lonhodowal8779
    @lonhodowal8779 2 місяці тому

    What a delicious sound you bring from this instrument. It convinces me that this piece must have been created for you. Thank rou. L

  • @chromatos7428
    @chromatos7428 2 місяці тому +2

    Ah my favourite instrument, the little big small viol!

  • @PlanetImo
    @PlanetImo 2 місяці тому +1

    Realyy interesting, thanks :)

  • @choccyfan
    @choccyfan 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks

    • @oae
      @oae  2 місяці тому +1

      Dear @choccyfan, thank you so much for your generous donation. It is much appreciated! ❤️🙏

  • @geef6770
    @geef6770 2 місяці тому

    Großartig!

  • @vicbanks9079
    @vicbanks9079 2 місяці тому +1

    What a delight to see and hear a rare antiquarian instrument. I would've liked some close-up shots detailing what looks to be fine workmanship. Explanation of such a dark wood color, the white material edging the upper neck, etc. Of course how about a word regarding who is your lovely musician? More please. And many thanks

    • @kaclama
      @kaclama 2 місяці тому

      Her name is on screen at the start of the video.

    • @vicbanks9079
      @vicbanks9079 2 місяці тому

      @@kaclama I was distracted by her youthful beauty, thank you.

  • @pagorami5253
    @pagorami5253 2 місяці тому +1

    i would love to own one to play bach's 6th suite...

  • @Lucius_Chiaraviglio
    @Lucius_Chiaraviglio 2 місяці тому +1

    I had heard of the violoncello piccolo before, but this is the first time I have actually seen one, and find it a bit surprising that it is almost the same size as a normal cello . . . although I just noticed that the Wikipedia article on the cello has a photo of one that is scarcely smaller than this one. Too bad these are not made any more.

  • @chrisperyagh
    @chrisperyagh 2 місяці тому +1

    And to think I'd only recently heard of the violoncello da spalla and today here's the violoncello piccolo!
    How many more types of cello are there?

  • @ChrissieCaulfield
    @ChrissieCaulfield 2 місяці тому +2

    I love this instrument. I have an electric 'octave' violin which has 5 strings tuned exactly the same. I wonder if I can learn some Bach on it :)

    • @Cellosong2007
      @Cellosong2007 2 місяці тому

      Totally possible, even easier! Especially on the higher passages of Suite No. 6

  • @stickom
    @stickom 2 місяці тому

    Gavotte II.. sweet!🙂

  • @michaelbishop.
    @michaelbishop. 2 місяці тому +6

    Naivety perhaps, but expect all stringed instruments to be available with extra strings for flexibility.

    • @MatthewWaltonWalton
      @MatthewWaltonWalton 2 місяці тому +1

      This is why I play 7 string bass viol and look enviously upon the 5 string fiddles which seem to be becoming more prevalent on the folk scene in England. There are limits to practicality of course but an extra string is so much fun!

  • @ThinWhiteAxe
    @ThinWhiteAxe 2 місяці тому

    i just wanna say i love her accent

  • @kishascape
    @kishascape 2 місяці тому +2

    The Picello 😊

  • @eckligt
    @eckligt 2 місяці тому +1

    For an example of an even smaller cello being played "da spalla" (on the shoulder) as Luise Buchberger mentions, here's the 6th Bach Cello Suite played by Sergey Malov as part of The Netherlands Bach Society: ua-cam.com/video/wbH3JYfRjOQ/v-deo.html

  • @MsCellobass
    @MsCellobass 14 днів тому

    Nice cello

  • @trishtraynor
    @trishtraynor 2 місяці тому +2

    Ooooooo. That's a fruity sound. 💖

  • @t3hgr8gabbo
    @t3hgr8gabbo 2 місяці тому +1

    Violone = big viol
    Violoncello = little big viol
    Violoncello piccolo = little little big viol

  • @johnrobinsoniii4028
    @johnrobinsoniii4028 2 місяці тому +2

    The ‘Cello with five strings-just like the “Viola Pomposa”, Musicians could play the famous “Sixth Suite” of Bach.

  • @CanadianDivergent
    @CanadianDivergent 2 місяці тому +1

    I prefer the modern cello when playing the 6th suite. But this is beautiful! omg I would be so afraid of it getting dinged or broken and then the remainder of my life paying for it...

  • @seishoaniki
    @seishoaniki 2 місяці тому

    😊

  • @instrumentalheadquarters7062
    @instrumentalheadquarters7062 2 місяці тому

    Historic bass(low) flutes?

  • @TenorCantusFirmus
    @TenorCantusFirmus 2 місяці тому

    Is the piccolo cello (expecially the four stringed G-d-a-e' version) practically the same as the "taille de violon" / tenor violin? Or should they be considered different instruments?

    • @347Jimmy
      @347Jimmy 2 місяці тому +1

      I would think that body size/scale length would be the differentiating factor
      Small instrument = tenor violin, large instrument = piccolo cello

    • @TenorCantusFirmus
      @TenorCantusFirmus 2 місяці тому +1

      @@347Jimmy Might be.

  • @jonathanwingmusic
    @jonathanwingmusic 2 місяці тому

    Beautiful instrument! Interesting it was called "piccolo" which implies a higher register tuning, you'd expect overall that it would be either a 5th or full octave higher all around, like a viola. But I suppose in this case it's really just a cello with that added E string for an expanded range, and yet overall in a smaller size which lends it a thinner, airier, more delicate tone. I love the double stops at the end!

    • @gerardvila4685
      @gerardvila4685 2 місяці тому +1

      My understanding was that we don't really know… If you analyse it:
      Viola = viol (aka viola) (a viol in English can be any size, same with French viole, don't know about Italian)
      Violone = big viol (double bass I think)
      Violoncello = small big viol = small double bass?
      Piccolo Violoncello = little small big viol

    • @jonathanwingmusic
      @jonathanwingmusic 2 місяці тому

      @@gerardvila4685 haha nice, yes it's kinda funny all the different names. I guess my implication is based on stuff like Piccolo Flute, Piccolo Clarinet, Piccolo Snare drum etc - all of which are not only smaller in size but also tuned higher as a result, so I found it interesting the Piccolo Cello isn't really tuned any differently, it's more like a 3/4 or 7/8 cello with an extra string. Cool either way!

  • @sparkystep
    @sparkystep 2 місяці тому +1

    Is this the instrument I heard in one of the Cantatas atThe Saffron Hall on Sunday?

    • @oae
      @oae  2 місяці тому +1

      Yes it is!🙂

    • @mileshember3501
      @mileshember3501 2 місяці тому +1

      I was there too, & noticed this instrument resting by her side, 5 strings clearly visible. What a delight to have this commentary and examples.
      The concert was splendid, highly enjoyable. Thankyou to all involved!

    • @sparkystep
      @sparkystep 2 місяці тому

      @@mileshember3501 It was an wonderful experience the performace was outstanding and the acoustics of Saffron Hall really help. I noticed the sound piccolo cello did not carry as well as the standard cello though.

  • @chrislj2890
    @chrislj2890 2 місяці тому

    2:07 Who was the lady singing? She sounded fantastic. The cello was impressive and I'd like to hear that whole performance.

    • @oae
      @oae  2 місяці тому +1

      Hi @chrislj2890, The lady singing is soprano Miriam Allan.

    • @chrislj2890
      @chrislj2890 2 місяці тому

      @@oae
      Thank you!

  • @jacks5kids
    @jacks5kids 2 місяці тому

    Look how short the fingerboard is! It seems that the distance from the end of the fingerboard to the bridge is more than double that of a regular 'cello. That means you must lose a whole octave of playable stopped (non-harmonic) high notes. By eye, it looks like the end of the fingerboard gives each string about a twelfth of range. The E-string gives an additional fifth, of course, but the overall result must mean that this old piccolo cello actually has significantly less range than a regular 4-string 'cello played all the way to the end of its fingerboard. Is that true in practice? It seems that it is quite recent (Elgar?) that cellists play notes in the highest register.

  • @classicgameplay10
    @classicgameplay10 2 місяці тому

    I didnt know Piccolo Daimao had a cello named after him.

  • @mtv565
    @mtv565 2 місяці тому +1

    When you say piccolo cello, it technically mean the viola. Since the viola is tuned exactly one octave above the cello, hence "piccolo". Never expect there is another instrument bigger than the viola!

    • @noahleong6426
      @noahleong6426 2 місяці тому

      But this isnt tuned an octave above the cello, its gdae is an octave below the violin

  • @olorin4317
    @olorin4317 2 місяці тому

    4:05

  • @geraldtrimble8376
    @geraldtrimble8376 Місяць тому

    This is a lovely video. More study and use of 5 string is needed.
    Please, though, there is absolutely no historical reference anywhere to 5 strings as "violoncello piccolo".

  • @semiot8305
    @semiot8305 2 місяці тому

    Modern cellos need that 5th string.

  • @genustinca5565
    @genustinca5565 2 місяці тому

    Why are some older cellos - like this one - very dark in colour?

  • @aleksdizhe
    @aleksdizhe 2 місяці тому

    I. Want. A 5-string. Cello.

  • @gxtmfa
    @gxtmfa 2 місяці тому +3

    Anything to avoid viola

  • @niamhoconnor8986
    @niamhoconnor8986 2 місяці тому

    The cello almost sounds as good as her accent

  • @DouglasKnisely
    @DouglasKnisely 2 місяці тому +3

    Such a shame the 5-string cello fell out of favor.

    • @johnrobinsoniii4028
      @johnrobinsoniii4028 2 місяці тому +3

      You know…the 5-string ‘Cello could have gone the “other way”: A low “Contra-F” string. (Why not?)

    • @uubuuh
      @uubuuh 2 місяці тому

      well we’re all here for it now

    • @cellectronica
      @cellectronica 2 місяці тому

      @@johnrobinsoniii4028 In one aspect, the history of violoncello was a quest as tenor instrument. The high-pitched melodies generated from the tenor body characterizes the cello as a solo instrument. (You know Salut d'amour, The swan...etc)
      Bach's suites are wonderful pieces that show, at the same time, cello can act very well at both of bass and solo.
      Violoncello piccolo may be a product of the spicy challenge of balance to maintain its characteristics.

  • @bg357wg
    @bg357wg 2 місяці тому

    So…a PiccoCello?

  • @parthoroy9141
    @parthoroy9141 2 місяці тому

    Viola on steroids

  • @nottooherbal
    @nottooherbal 2 місяці тому

    A pickled cello.