By now, I think some of you are guessing what instrument will be featured. Not the clarinet, or the cowbell (more cowbell!). The cello belongs to the violin family and has four strings tuned in perfect fifths.
Possibly the best-known cellist of modern times is Yo-Yo Ma. Besides playing classical music, he’s recorded with James Taylor, Bobby McFerrin, and The Dixie Chicks. Here he plays the Bach Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude:
I am the bestselling author of nine novels, including the Swiss Chocolate trilogy and VILLA DEL SOL, which won the 2018 Book Award in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England.
My newest series includes the books A JINGLE VALLEY WEDDING, APRIL IN GALWAY, and ALL’S WELL IN JINGLE VALLEY.
Find my books online at Amazon, locally at Stillwater Books (Pawtucket, Rhode Island) and Ink Fish Books (Warren, Rhode Island).
View all posts by Martha Reynolds
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26 thoughts on “Listen Up! “C” is for Cello”
Jacqueline Du Pre, and her performance of Elgar Cello Concerto has to be one of my favourite pieces of music – such a terrible loss and I have a personal hatred of MS. Also like Rodrigo’s Cello Concerto
The music that comes out of Yo-Yo Ma’s Strad Cello is to die for. He is truly one of the greats. I also remember Jacqueline Du Pre, and her Elgar Cello Concerto. Gorgeous!I
Well, what a lovely surprise to stumble across your blog and hear such thrilling music! Thank you for sharing! I know what you’ll do for X, of course, but it’s Q that has me guessing…
Yo-yo Ma is one of my favorite cello players. He just has a golden touch to his playing. And there’s something about the sound of it that is so… intimate.
Enjoyed all three clips, and listening up! 🙂 Thanks for the music, and the facts. Liked the bagpipes most of all. Didn’t know they were played in the ME and Africa. Nice to meet you, I’m your neighbour on the sign up list at 51.
I would love to have learnt the cello, sadly I do not have a musical bone in my body and even a triangle taxes me, but it was a combination of the lovely melodies the instrument can emit in the hands of someone talented but also Lori Singer’s character in Fame was my favourite 😀
I remember that, Paula!
After playing piano for years, I tried the string bass in high school, but had a hard time with it. The cello is my favorite of the strings.
Lovely. The ‘cello has a wonderful sound. I can’t resist mentioning that its full name begins with V! 😉 I like the way you are approaching this theme – quite different from how I did it last year. Sue
Martha Reynolds Writes 
Jacqueline Du Pre, and her performance of Elgar Cello Concerto has to be one of my favourite pieces of music – such a terrible loss and I have a personal hatred of MS. Also like Rodrigo’s Cello Concerto
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The music that comes out of Yo-Yo Ma’s Strad Cello is to die for. He is truly one of the greats. I also remember Jacqueline Du Pre, and her Elgar Cello Concerto. Gorgeous!I
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Agree! Thanks for stopping by, Helena.
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The cello is one of my absolute favorite instruments!
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Isn’t it just so beautiful, Sabina? I love it, too.
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Well, what a lovely surprise to stumble across your blog and hear such thrilling music! Thank you for sharing! I know what you’ll do for X, of course, but it’s Q that has me guessing…
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Thank you, Susan! There will be a few surprises this month, for sure!
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Hello, Martha. I saw your link in The Shark’s comment section, and thought I’d stop by. Best of luck with your A to Z challenge!
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Thanks, Lily – I don’t know if you’re participating, but I’ll swing over to your blog now.
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Favourite piece: Elgar’s Cello Concerto. I have the Jacqueline du Pre recording.
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It’s beautiful!
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oooohhh i love the sound of cello!!!
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Glad I brought a smile to you!
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I love cello music and especially Yo-yo Ma. You might also like one of my favorites on You Tube: Kevin Olusola https://youtu.be/NKVNrrrNxU0
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Going for a listen now, Shawn – thank you!
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WOW!!
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Yo-yo Ma is one of my favorite cello players. He just has a golden touch to his playing. And there’s something about the sound of it that is so… intimate.
Alex Hurst, A Fantasy Author in Kyoto
A-Z Blogging in April Participant
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Exactly, Alex!
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Enjoyed all three clips, and listening up! 🙂 Thanks for the music, and the facts. Liked the bagpipes most of all. Didn’t know they were played in the ME and Africa. Nice to meet you, I’m your neighbour on the sign up list at 51.
Best wishes,
Nilanjana
from Madly-in-Verse
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Thank you, Nila! Heading over to visit you now.
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I love the cello. I had the pleasure of seeing Yo-Yo Ma play a few years ago. Isn’t it wonderful that we can find all these clips on YouTube?
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Without YouTube, I’d never have chosen this theme, Denise! Thanks for commenting.
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I would love to have learnt the cello, sadly I do not have a musical bone in my body and even a triangle taxes me, but it was a combination of the lovely melodies the instrument can emit in the hands of someone talented but also Lori Singer’s character in Fame was my favourite 😀
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I remember that, Paula!
After playing piano for years, I tried the string bass in high school, but had a hard time with it. The cello is my favorite of the strings.
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Lovely. The ‘cello has a wonderful sound. I can’t resist mentioning that its full name begins with V! 😉 I like the way you are approaching this theme – quite different from how I did it last year. Sue
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I know, Sue! I almost went with the clarinet because of that, but I so wanted to feature Yo-Yo Ma. Thanks for visiting!
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