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The '''cello''' (short for its formal name, ''violoncello''<ref>'''Not''' "viol'''i'''ncello;" the fifth letter is an o, not an i</ref>) is a low-pitched [[String Instruments|string instrument]] of the violin family.  It often shares the melody, and sometimes harmonizes with, the [[Violin]] in a western [[orchestra]]. Its pitch range is similar to that of the human voice, giving it a warm and emotional quality.  

The '''cello''' (short for its formal name, ''violoncello''<ref>'''Not''' "viol'''i'''ncello;" the fifth letter is an o, not an i</ref>) is a low-pitched [[String Instruments|string instrument]] of the violin family.  It often shares the melody, and sometimes harmonizes with, the [[Violin]] in a western [[orchestra]]. Its pitch range is similar to that of the human voice, giving it a warm and emotional quality.  

History:

==History==

The cello grew out of a member of the string family called the ‘viole de bracchio’ in the  early 16th century, as a 3 stringed instrument.  By the late 1600s the tuning of the modern cello, i.e. with four strings tuned an octave lower than the viola, had been adopted. Its size, which had fluctuated, was “standardized by “Stradavari” in about 1710; and it was becoming  an intrinsic part of the standard orchestra by that time. The spike that supports the instrument on the floor was introduced in the late 18th century but was not universally used until the late 19th.

 

The cello grew out of a member of the string family called the ‘viole de bracchio’ in the  early 16th century, as a 3 stringed instrument.  By the late 1600s the tuning of the modern cello, i.e. with four strings tuned an octave lower than the viola, had been adopted. Its size, which had fluctuated, was standardized by “Stradavari” in about 1710; and it was becoming  an intrinsic part of the standard orchestra by that time. The spike that supports the instrument on the floor was introduced in the late 18th century but was not universally used until the late 19th.

In the modern cello’s repertoire, the first great work is the series of partitas for solo cello by J. S. Bach (though their greatness was not realised until Pablo Casals’ recordings in the 1930s.) In the post-baroque 18th century, a number of virtuoso players – foremost amongst them Boccherini - brought the instrument out of its normal support role in chamber music to be an equal in the string ensemble. Boccherini, Haydn and  Mozart used it as the bass in their string quartets, and  (usually) doubled up with it in quintets. It arrived as a concerto instrument with the three concertos by Haydn.  

In the modern cello’s repertoire, the first great work is the series of partitas for solo cello by J. S. Bach (though their greatness was not realised until Pablo Casals’ recordings in the 1930s.) In the post-baroque 18th century, a number of virtuoso players – foremost amongst them Boccherini - brought the instrument out of its normal support role in chamber music to be an equal in the string ensemble. Boccherini, Haydn and  Mozart used it as the bass in their string quartets, and  (usually) doubled up with it in quintets. It arrived as a concerto instrument with the three concertos by Haydn.  

In popular music, the cello was used to good effect in the [[Beatles]]' songs ''Eleanor Rigby'' and ''I am the Walrus''- and has also recently crossed over into a more modern genre with the appearance of the band Apocalyptica in Finland and has come to international acclaim. Apocalyptica initially started off playing [[Metallica]] music on four cellos but have recently branched out into original pieces.

In popular music, the cello was used to good effect in the [[Beatles]]' songs ''Eleanor Rigby'' and ''I am the Walrus''- and has also recently crossed over into a more modern genre with the appearance of the band Apocalyptica in Finland and has come to international acclaim. Apocalyptica initially started off playing [[Metallica]] music on four cellos but have recently branched out into original pieces.

==Notable works for the cello==

 

 

==Notable Works for the Cello==

* Bach - Suites for solo Cello

* Bach - Suites for solo Cello