The cellos (often formally referred to as the violoncello) is a
stringed instrument and a member of the violin family. A cello player
is called a cellist. Cellos are popular in many capacities; as a
solo instrument, in chamber music, and also as a foundation of the
modern orchestral sound.
The name cello is an abbreviation of the Italian violoncello, which
means "little violone". The violone is an obsolete instrument,
a large viol, similar to a modern double bass.
Cello are most closely associated with European classical music.
It is part of the standard orchestra and features in the string
quartet and many other chamber groups. A large number of concertos
and sonatas have been written for it. It is less common in popular
music, but the instrument is sometimes featured in pop and rock
recordings.
Among the most famous Baroque works for the cellos are J. S.
Bach's Unaccompanied Suites for Cellos (or as they are more commonly
known, The Bach Cellos Suites). An example of a Classical-era
piece would be Haydn's Cellos Concerto #1 in C and#2 in D. Standard
Romantic era repertoire includes Dvorák's Cellos Concerto
in B Minor, Cellos Concerto in E Minor by Sir Edward Elgar, Le
Cygne by Camille Saint-Saens, and two sonatas by Johannes Brahms.
Modern compositions within the early 20th century include unaccompanied
cellos sonatas by Paul Hindemith (opus 25) and Zoltán Kodály
(opus 8). Recordings within the Avant Garde (cutting edge) genre
have revitalized the instrument's perceived versatility. One example
is Night of the Four Moons by George Crumb.
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