Books › The Instruments of the Modern Orchestra and Early Records of the Precursors of the Violin Family, in Two Volumes, Vol. I- Modern Orchestral Instruments, 1910 › scan 155
Scan 155
The Instruments of the Modern Orchestra and Early Records of the Precursors of the Violin Family, in Two Volumes, Vol. I- Modern Orchestral Instruments, 1910
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1the same extreme agility as on the violin is not possible; chords (with reservations), the pizzicato, tremolo, staccato, legato styles, shakes, and the use of the mute are all practicable (see "Violin Possibilities.") In the orchestra the 'cellos often double the double bass an octave higher, and the music for both is written on one stave, and in that case with the word "bassi." However, since the days of Beethoven, melodies are frequently given to the 'cello. Wagner in his operas has scored solo melodies of wonderful beauty for this instrument.
3Origin. The name violoncello is a diminutive meaning "small violone," or double bass, not violin; but it is really a bass violin, formed on a different model to the violone, which has the sloping shoulders and flat back of the viol family, whereas those of the 'cello are rounded. The 'cello is traced to Italy early in the 17th century, when it formed the fundamental bass in church music; its use in secular music and as a solo instrument is of later date, in the 18th century. The first English 'cello was made during the reign of Charles II.
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