The Violoncello and Its HistoryWasielewski, Wilhelm Joseph von
History
The Violoncello and Its History
Wasielewski, Wilhelm Joseph von
Cellists; Cello -- History
Reinagle’s younger brother, named HUGH, born at Portsmouth in 1766,
received his education from Crosdill, and was distinguished for his
unwonted skill. He died while still young, at Lisbon, whither he had
gone for the restoration of his failing health. Of his compositions
appeared three works: two of them, Op. 1 and 2, consist of six Cello
solos, and Op. 3 contains six Duets for two Violoncellos.
JOHN GUNN, said to have been born in Edinburgh about 1765, was not
only a clever cellist, but also a remarkable writer on music. In the
year 1790 he went to London as a cello teacher. He there published, in
1793, an instruction book for his instrument, under the title of “The
Theory and practice of fingering the Violoncello, containing rules and
progressive lessons for attaining the knowledge and command of the whole
compass of the instrument.” Fétis observes, with regard to the preface
of this work, consisting of two parts, that it contains a remarkable
account of the origin of the Violoncello, as well as of old and modern
stringed instruments.
Gunn wrote another work, published in London in 1801, which has
reference to the Violoncello. The title of it is, “Essay theoretical and
practical on the application of Harmony, Thorough-bass, and Modulation
to the Violoncello.” Besides this he published, in 1794, a “School
of the German flute,” and in 1807 he brought out his most important
work--viz., “An Historical Inquiry respecting the performance on the
Harp in the Highlands of Scotland from the earliest times until it was
discontinued about the year 1734.”
In the year 1795 Gunn returned to Edinburgh to take up an advantageous
post that was offered to him, and which he apparently held until his
death.
The English possessed in ROBERT LINDLEY a Violoncellist of extraordinary
capacity, who up to the present time has not been equalled, far less
excelled, by his countrymen. He was born on March 4, 1775,[136] at
Rotherham, and began his musical studies when he was about five years
of age, with his father, an amateur performer, who began by teaching
him the violin, and, at nine years of age, the violoncello. At sixteen
he had made considerable progress, and the younger Cervetto, hearing
him play, undertook his gratuitous instruction, and brought him to the
South of England. Even at this age he had commenced to compose for
himself, and was sent for to take the place of the professor who was to
have played the violoncello solo at one of the Brighton concerts, and
who had been taken suddenly ill. Lindley’s performance was rapturously
applauded; he played Concertos at several subsequent concerts with the
same result, and was then engaged for the Theatre, frequently playing
before the Prince Regent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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