As a professional cellist, Wendy, you know that the most important aspect of your cello is it’s sound and how you can articulate that sound as a player. Who made it, where it was made, etc. are all insignificant to its voice. When I was looking for a good cello, I sent my cello teacher to a violin shop in Washington, D.C. to audition 8 instruments above the $25k price. Based on her ears, one French instrument stood out, but was quiet in the upper registers. From that information, the violin shop removed the top of the instrument and found a worm hole crack just under the finger board. They repaired it, cut a new bridge, and after re-stringing it, that 88 year old French cello is a powerhouse of an instrument, which has taken me 10 years to pay off the loan. I’ve been playing and taking lessons with my newfound French friend for the last 15 years.
Hello Wendy, your cello has an amazing sound. I never thought about learning to play the cello until recently. I am, however, learning to play the violin. Really old string instruments, like the violin and cello, intrigue me. Would you consider interviewing other cello players who have old instruments like yours for your channel? It would be just wonderful to hear the differences in the sound. Thank you.
I love watching you play. Your knowledge of the craft and it's makers is remarkable. I wonder, do you keep it locked up tight somewhere? The wood on that beauty aged gracefully. Love it...
Old instruments really are works of art. No question about that in my mind. BTW, do you play that what looks to be electric cello in the background? If you do, what venues? HOw come, when you have such a wonderful acoustic instrument? I'm really curious!
Haha good question. I am still learning how to play the electric cello. It's pretty much like a completely different instruments and it can do cool effects.
I also have old instruments. My current violin (my main instrument) is a fake German Stradivarius from 1721 (not the best instrument in the world, but since it is an old fake German strad and not just some cheap modern junk from Amazon, it's safe to say that it's not a bad instrument). And my cello (the second instrument I learnt how to play, also my favorite instrument outside of violin, viola being second, Bass third, flute fourth) was apparently made in 1777. So my instruments are around 300 years old (more or less). I gotta complete the set by getting an antique Viola (technically the third instrument I learnt how to play, but I plays exactly like a violin, the only difference is the strings) and antique (double)bass. Time to continue surfing through eBay and Reverb (because I don't have thousands of dollars to spend on instruments right now but I still want to get fairly decent instruments). Wish me luck. Edit: my piano was also made in the 1920s. It needs work done, but once it's done, it'll be a decent piano.
that's really interesting to know. I love music and genuinely think that musicians who love making music are magicians. I haven't really thought about how different each instrument is, though, I think the best instrument I can own is my vocal cords, lol. btw your cat is so cute!
Great sound, especially in the intro! Do you mind sharing which microphone or microphones you used to record the sound at the beginning? I'm looking to put together a home recording setup and love the quality of the sound from that (those) mics!
In a double-blind test 21 experienced violinists were asked to compare new and old violins the least-preferred was a Stradivarius. 😊 Perhaps Stradivarius was the greatest violin maker of his time, and then people learned how to make good/better violins.
I don’t know if I’m right. The first two you looked at ease while playing, but the third you and your fingers looked more tense. The first sounds the most clear, the notes bell-like. The second is pretty and warm but sounds slightly”out of breath”. Like its sound muted or restrained. The third wasnt as pleasant to listen to, for me.
Tone absolutely depends on several variables, but, the artists skills, intent w/ each and every note, personality and method of attack seems to me to be the most telling. Think of the sound of Jimi Hendrix , Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck & Duane Allman (my personal favorites). Everyone try's to sound like them but nobody has. They are distinct , unique and it doesn't matter what instrument they play. Their own Fender, Gibson or yours. They are the one's that create tone by how they play !! Just my opinion, Steph Louisiana
Those French workshops were like the Wild West when it came to labeling bows and instruments. It seems like it's nearly impossible to 100% attribute a lot of these to one specific maker, and a lot of legendary luthiers and archetiers worked in larger workshops.
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As a professional cellist, Wendy, you know that the most important aspect of your cello is it’s sound and how you can articulate that sound as a player. Who made it, where it was made, etc. are all insignificant to its voice. When I was looking for a good cello, I sent my cello teacher to a violin shop in Washington, D.C. to audition 8 instruments above the $25k price. Based on her ears, one French instrument stood out, but was quiet in the upper registers. From that information, the violin shop removed the top of the instrument and found a worm hole crack just under the finger board. They repaired it, cut a new bridge, and after re-stringing it, that 88 year old French cello is a powerhouse of an instrument, which has taken me 10 years to pay off the loan. I’ve been playing and taking lessons with my newfound French friend for the last 15 years.
Really this one sounds very sweet and very firm when needed,, I like the bows at 8:16 to 8:19, to say 1 example
Watch til the every end to see a short clip of me playing. 😊❤️
Hello Wendy, your cello has an amazing sound. I never thought about learning to play the cello until recently. I am, however, learning to play the violin. Really old string instruments, like the violin and cello, intrigue me. Would you consider interviewing other cello players who have old instruments like yours for your channel? It would be just wonderful to hear the differences in the sound. Thank you.
That’s an excellent idea!! Thank you
@@WendyLaw You're welcome. :-)
Yes, that I noticed on another video. 1 million Cello responds and opens the sound quicker. I never thought about it. Thank you.
Check out my Cello Kitty Collection here: th-cam.com/users/WendyLawstore
❤️👍
Stunning soundaah!❤❤❤
I agree with this. I have an antique violin (German made Strad copy circa 1900) that sounds amazing with the right strings.
I love watching you play. Your knowledge of the craft and it's makers is remarkable. I wonder, do you keep it locked up tight somewhere? The wood on that beauty aged gracefully. Love it...
Old instruments really are works of art. No question about that in my mind. BTW, do you play that what looks to be electric cello in the background? If you do, what venues? HOw come, when you have such a wonderful acoustic instrument? I'm really curious!
Haha good question. I am still learning how to play the electric cello. It's pretty much like a completely different instruments and it can do cool effects.
I also have old instruments. My current violin (my main instrument) is a fake German Stradivarius from 1721 (not the best instrument in the world, but since it is an old fake German strad and not just some cheap modern junk from Amazon, it's safe to say that it's not a bad instrument).
And my cello (the second instrument I learnt how to play, also my favorite instrument outside of violin, viola being second, Bass third, flute fourth) was apparently made in 1777. So my instruments are around 300 years old (more or less).
I gotta complete the set by getting an antique Viola (technically the third instrument I learnt how to play, but I plays exactly like a violin, the only difference is the strings) and antique (double)bass.
Time to continue surfing through eBay and Reverb (because I don't have thousands of dollars to spend on instruments right now but I still want to get fairly decent instruments). Wish me luck.
Edit: my piano was also made in the 1920s. It needs work done, but once it's done, it'll be a decent piano.
oh , good one Wendy. Thanks!~
that's really interesting to know. I love music and genuinely think that musicians who love making music are magicians. I haven't really thought about how different each instrument is, though, I think the best instrument I can own is my vocal cords, lol.
btw your cat is so cute!
Lol. When I grow up, I want to get an old Italian instrument. Hahaha.
Same!! ❤️
Hi Wendy! Fantastic video! Can you tell us a little about your Bow and how much of your tone you think the bow is responsible for?
Oh that's a good question Mark. Maybe I will do a video on my bow in the future.
Great sound, especially in the intro! Do you mind sharing which microphone or microphones you used to record the sound at the beginning? I'm looking to put together a home recording setup and love the quality of the sound from that (those) mics!
In a double-blind test 21 experienced violinists were asked to compare new and old violins the least-preferred was a Stradivarius. 😊 Perhaps Stradivarius was the greatest violin maker of his time, and then people learned how to make good/better violins.
Hi Wendy! Hope you are doing well! I recently bought a c.1900 French cello too (unknown luthier though) and loving it 😊
Interesting story about your cello!
I don’t know if I’m right. The first two you looked at ease while playing, but the third you and your fingers looked more tense. The first sounds the most clear, the notes bell-like. The second is pretty and warm but sounds slightly”out of breath”. Like its sound muted or restrained. The third wasnt as pleasant to listen to, for me.
Thanks for sharing, Wendy!!!-:)
Very nice tone!
Great video. I think things were made better back in the day. Now days it's about the bottom line and not quality!
Have you ever met Yo Yo Ma?
Yes quite a few time! I performed with him several times also. :)
@@WendyLaw that’s awesome!
That was very interesting, good vid!
Hello beautiful thanks for sharing. Saludos
Thanks
I find the history of instruments interesting!👌❤️
That cello is very nice! ☺️
Tone absolutely depends on several variables, but, the artists skills, intent w/ each and every note, personality and method of attack seems to me to be the most telling. Think of the sound of Jimi Hendrix , Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck & Duane Allman (my personal favorites). Everyone try's to sound like them but nobody has. They are distinct , unique and it doesn't matter what instrument they play. Their own Fender, Gibson or yours. They are the one's that create tone by how they play !!
Just my opinion,
Steph
Louisiana
Those French workshops were like the Wild West when it came to labeling bows and instruments. It seems like it's nearly impossible to 100% attribute a lot of these to one specific maker, and a lot of legendary luthiers and archetiers worked in larger workshops.
Great story. Please read also my comment on the the different celli.
❤️❤️🌹
😊❤️
@@WendyLaw Take care of yourself and have a great day 😁🌹👍🎶
❤❤🌹🌹🌹
Does your cello have a name?
Great...but please, a little more playing!