The two main instruments that were the forerunners in the development of the cello were the viola de braccio and the viola de gamba. The viola de gambas and viola de braccios (known as the viols) replaced the vielle as a the main bowed instrument in Europe in the 1300's. In the 18th century, the viols were then replaced by violins because violins had a larger sound. There were six viola de gambas in a set, two basses, two tenors, and two trebles, and all were held between the legs. The bass was the only viola de gamba with good solo capabilities, but it was mostly used in bass accompaniments rather than solo performances. Other instruments in the viola de gamba family include a smaller treble, a double base, the division viol, the lyre viol, and the boryton viol. Compared to violins, viola de gambas have sloped rounded shoulders, flatter backs, thinner strings, six strings, flatter bridges, outward curving bows, and a fretted finger board that was important because it made the instrument easier to play. The viola de braccios, on the other hand, were actual predecessors to today's violins. Viols were most popularly made and played during the 17th century. Some English composers that wrote viol music at that time period include William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, John Jenkins and John Coperario.

The first known maker of the cello was Andrea Amati who lived from 1511 to 1581 in Cremona, Italy. One famous cello made by Amati was called "The King" (click and see!). This cello is believed to be one of the thrity-eight cellos ordered for Charles IX, the king of France, because on it are paintings of the arms, devices, and mottoes of Charles IX. Because the physical characteristics of this instrument are similar to the modern day cello, there probably were not any significant changes in the design of the instrument since then.

Bibliography:

"Internet Cello Society: Cello by Andrea Amati 1572." Cello by Andrea Amati, 1572. http://www.cello.org/masters/aa1572.htm (16 Apr. 1998)

Joshua Furman. "The Cello, An Essay, by Joshua Furman." The Cello, An Essay by Joshua Furman. http://cello.org/cnc/article.htm (16 Apr. 1998)

"Viols." Viols. http://www.e-m-s.com/stringed/viols.htm (16 Apr. 1998)

 
Yo-Yo Ma is a cellist who excels internationally as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. He has also performed in many symphony orchestras including Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Minnesota, as well as the New York, Israel, and Los Angeles Philharmonics. Mr. Ma plays two instruments: a 1733 Montagnana cello from Venice and a Davidoff Stradivarius made in 1712. He and his partner pianist Emanuel Ax have performed in numerous recitals and recordings. His discography has more than 45 albums, including ten Gramy award winners.

Mr. Ma was born in 1955 in Paris of Chinese parents and began studies on the cello with his father at age four. He later worked with Janos Scholz, and in 1962 he learned from Leonard Rose at Juilliard School. He graduated from Harvard University, where he received honorary doctorate in music from his alma mater in 1991. He also received the Avery Fisher Prize in 1978. Mr. Ma and his wife, Jill, have two children, Nicholas and Emily. During part of his summers, Ma works with students at Tanglewood Music Center while he plays with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and chamber ensembles.

Bibliography:

"Biography: Yo-Yo Ma." http://web.mit.edu/jchang/www/Biography.html (16 Apr. 1998)

"Sony Classical: Yo-Yo Ma, Biography." Sony Classical: Artists. http://www.sonyclassical.com/artists/ma_top.htm (16 Apr. 1998)

"Yo-Yo Ma." BSO / Bios / Yo-Yo Ma. http://www.bso.org/bios/ma.htm (16 Apr. 1998)

"Yo-Yo Ma: Biographical Information." Biography of Yo-Yo Ma. http://www.cello.org/yoyoma/yobio.htm (16 Apr. 1998)