Piece Description

The name cello is an abbreviation of the Italian violincello, often described as the closest sounding instrument to the human voice. While cello is a standard part of the orchestra and is the bass voice of the string quartet, as well as a staple of many chamber groups, there have also been a large number of concertos and sonatas written for the instrument. During our 2007 festival, we presented a concert with David Finckel and Wu Han which followed the evolution of musical style, and of writing for the cello in particular, from Bach to Britten. In this episode we hear the first half of that program, a journey through the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras.