twcellist

I have some other thoughts about this. If a cello piccolo really is around the dimensions of a 3/4 size cello then could you take a normal 3/4 size cello and just convert it?

Again this might be a dumb question/thought, but if someone wanted convert a 4 string cello to a 5 string would you be able to add some sort of extension to the lower end of the pegbox to accommodate the 5th string? I'm just wondering if this is done or even considered.

This probably is a stupid question, but out of all the historical makers who would be considered the Stradivarius among French makers? Or I guess I better asked is which French maker's instruments are the most desired/sought after?

Here are some Tarisio articles about smaller Stard cellos. https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/cozio-carteggio/late-strad-cellos-part-1-bein-fruh/ https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=43998

Hi. Does anybody know where I can get the score for "Was it a Dream" by Sibellus? This was played by Yo-Yo Ma and I'm really want to play this.

Hi. Can someone direct me to some good software (preferably free, but if not then that's okay) that can take PDF or scanned music and convert it into editable files? I tried the import function with Muse score, but it couldn't do the import. The is a version of Melody in F by Arthur Rubenstein for Cello and Piano that I want to change to C key (like the version Pablo Casals played in one his recordings.)

Thanks for you advice and perspective. Good to know about the string situation on a 1/2 size. Yes, the luthier did mention he was having trouble finding strings for this size cello so it seems that 3/4 size might be more practical. Also, I'm thinking the volume of sound is probably better with a 3/4 size?

You're thoughts on a top D string are interesting. However, the 5 string cello's I've seen at least have a top E and the string makers I know that make a 5 string make an E. Bylsma's Bach recording of the 6 Suite seem to me to be a E string too (Then I again I could be totally wrong.) What are your thoughts (and anybody else really) on a 1/2 size vs 3/4 size in terms of sound projection. Is it safe to say that a smaller instrument will have less projection. Also, I've been reading around and most notably a website where a Japanese foundation was doing research on the 5 string cello. One of their findings was that when they made the 5 string cello the E string sounded very raspy and in my limited time playing with a 5 string instrument I also find the E to be that way. Is there anyway to mitigate the raspy tone or is that just the way it really is?

I have many questions about the Violin Cello Piccolo. I'm strongly considering having one commissioned by a maker in Oregon. He's never made one, but he did some preliminary research and even took a cheap 1/2 size cello and put it in a 5 string setup as a test for me to try out. He says that the historical cello piccolo's that remain are around a 1/2 size cello, but I've heard of some cello piccolo's that are 3/4 size? Is there any reference or authority for specs? How about Anner Bylsma? Anybody know what size his Cello Piccolo ? What if we decide to just make a 5 string cello based off a 4/4 size cello? I know then it's not Piccolo cello, but I"m wondering if a full size 5 string setup is appropriate for baroque playing? I'm pursuing the 5 string mainly because I want to play Bach Suite 6 on the 5 string instrument it was meant to be played on (albeit I understand there is debate that it was maybe even written for the Da Spalla.) Also, one other logistical thing .... when I was playing the cello I attempted to play it without the endpin and I found that the 1/2 size makes it really hard not to hit my knees. The luthier believes it would be hard have a 1/2 size setup played between the knees without hitting the knees and suggests in the beginning (when I'm learning how to play the instrument) to use an endpin. Any thoughts?

Yes, the technology is so good now that so long as the photo has high enough resolution they can run the dendro. There is no need to physically bring in the instrument. If your serious it’s worth it to invest $300 USD.

Thanks for your perspective as someone who owns one of his cellos. Yes when I played it the cello sounded great and I was very surprised. I didn’t (and probably should have) paid more attention to the scroll, but the cello looked fine and it felt fine when I played it. This particular cello is from 1971 so it seems to be one of his first couple of cellos? Is it true that on his instruments he would number them? So the cello is currently in a pawn shop and I’m trying to negotiate the price. The guy is/was playing dumb and claims he doesn’t know the value, but then he blurted out 10-12K as a price he would sell, which just happens to be around the retail price. So go figure ... (On a side note Jeff White up in Santa Clara ended up having one for sale from 1992 and it was on consignment for shade under $11,000. Not sure if it’s still available or not.) I have a friend who deals with the pawn shop guy (more with jewelry) and my friend is trying to convince him to sell it for less. Let’s see what happens!

Yeah... you have to be careful. Just because the player believes the cello to be Fiorini does not mean it is. In fact, recently there was a cello sold at T2 (the division of Tarisio that sells instruments that in my opinion are really trashed up) and there was a cello that marketed as Francesco Rugeri and was played by the 1st chair of the Boston Phil back in the late 1800's to 1900's. The cert back then said it was a Francesco Rugeri, but then a cert done later in the said it was "Follower of Rugeri". Anyways, long story short I was going to considered bidding on this cello, but I decided to have a dendro done (out of my own pocket) and what they found was that the cello was a French cello from about 1730, but it was not Rugeri because he was dead by then. So can you imagine ... this Boston Phil guy for his entire life played on the cello thinking it was a Rugeri, but it turns out it was not. How crazy and sad is that! Granted ... I don't think dendro was available back in 1930, but still ... Again, I'm not expert, but at a minimum I would do a dendro. These days you just need a high resolution picture and then you can send it to guy doing the dendro. I used Peter Radcliff. Also, I don't know if you're able, but maybe you can say you'll buy the cello contingent that you can get it certified that it's Rugeri. These are my thoughts! Good luck!

Yes... this is the one. I forgot that Tarisio themselves would probably keep an archive on it (especially since it's a recent sale of their's) I think this one would be a very good reference point since it was made in Munich.

There was a Fiorini cello that sold at Tarisio in February from $200K (before commission fees.) The cello was in immaculate condition and came with full papers and documentation. I managed to snap screen shots photo's so if you're interested private message me.

I am interested in the historical aspect of things, but yeah it seems like putting good money into bad money... I wonder how much one of these cellos are if they were in undamaged condition?