The Baroque Cello Revival: An Oral History

by Paul R. Laird

Overview

This resource considers the Baroque cello's revival as part of the period instrument movement from the viewpoints of over forty cellists from three generations and four luthiers who have worked on period cellos. What emerges is a nuanced and detailed picture of the cello in the past and present and the varied instruments now played under the label "Baroque cello."

Period instruments played with appropriate techniques have become a major presence in classical music in recent decades. For the cello, which changed substantially between the end of the sixteenth and early eighteenth centuries, it is challenging to describe specific traits for certain time periods, let alone how it was played in those periods.

By chronicling the searches of over forty top cellists in England, Europe, and North America, the author goes far in revealing the great variety of forms that exist. This is the first study in which the revival of a single period instrument has been considered in such qualified detail and will be of great interest to musicologists, luthiers, and anyone interested in string history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810851535
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/20/2004
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Paul Laird is Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of Kansas.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 List of Tables Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 1. In Search of the Baroque Cello Chapter 5 2. The Soloists Chapter 6 3. The Pioneers Chapter 7 4. The New Generations Chapter 8 5. The Baroque Cello...Found Chapter 9 Bibliography Chapter 10 Index Chapter 11 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

The revival is part of the historical performance movement, which can be traced back to the early 19th century and has played a major part in Western musical life in the past four decades. Laird...interviewed 46 cellists to discover what drew them to the Baroque instrument, how they play it, how they translate their understandings of Baroque performance into practical music making, whether they have explored other historical periods, and other topics.

Reference and Research Book News

Although Laird has been a performer, teacher, and musicologist for decades, he tells us that the genesis of this book was YoYo Ma's initial flirtation with Baroque cello in 1999. The author says, 'If a cellist as famous as Ma wish to play the instrument, then surely it had arrived at a significant point in its revival.' If Ma was the spark, Laird has certainly done his part to fan the flames with this celebration of 'cello culture.' Indeed, the book is something of an ethnography; starting with a discussion of historical prototypes and bows, it continues with 46 interviews of cellists, separating the sections into 'Soloists, Pioneers, and the Generation.'...His last chapter, 'The Baroque Cello...Found,' pulls together interview, background, narrative, and author's perspective to provide a refreshing, rather quirky glimpse into a formerly unlit corner of the early music community that charmed this reader, and may charm you, as well.

Early Music America

...this is a wonderful book whose reach should extend far beyond the early-music community. The informal style and engaging conversation make The Baroque Cello Revival an interesting and informative book for any musician.

Strings Magazine

This book gives a voice to dozens of contemporary instrumentalists who may be called 'Baroque Cellists.' It provides a welcome opportunity for players to explain and justify their approaches, and for listeners to understand them....I enjoyed reading it, and felt that I had learnt things from it.

The Galpin Society Journal

Although Laird has been a performer, teacher, and musicologist for decades, he tells us that the genesis of this book was YoYo Ma's initial flirtation with Baroque cello in 1999. The author says, 'If a cellist as famous as Ma wish to play the instrument, then surely it had arrived at a significant point in its revival.' If Ma was the spark, Laird has certainly done his part to fan the flames with this celebration of 'cello culture.' Indeed, the book is something of an ethnography; starting with a discussion of historical prototypes and bows, it continues with 46 interviews of cellists, separating the sections into 'Soloists, Pioneers, and the Generation.'...His last chapter, 'The Baroque Cello...Found, ' pulls together interview, background, narrative, and author's perspective to provide a refreshing, rather quirky glimpse into a formerly unlit corner of the early music community that charmed this reader, and may charm you, as well.--Early Music America

...this is a wonderful book whose reach should extend far beyond the early-music community. The informal style and engaging conversation make The Baroque Cello Revival an interesting and informative book for any musician.--Strings Magazine

This book gives a voice to dozens of contemporary instrumentalists who may be called 'Baroque Cellists.' It provides a welcome opportunity for players to explain and justify their approaches, and for listeners to understand them....I enjoyed reading it, and felt that I had learnt things from it.--The Galpin Society Journal

From the Publisher