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Big is beautiful: violoncello da spalla
After decades of relative neglect, the violoncello da spalla is undergoing a resurgence of interest. Daniela Gaidano, who has made several examples, looks into its history and explains its appeal for both players and makers
The excellent violoncello, the bass viol and the viola da spalla are small violin basses (when compared with the bigger five- or six-stringed instruments), on which it is possible to obtain, with less fatigue than on the bigger instruments, fast notes, variations and mannerisms. The viola da spalla in particular is very effective in accompaniment, because it can speak clearly and purely. A bass [part] cannot be expressed in a clearer or more distinct way than on this instrument…
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