In 2004, Kuijken commissioned a luthier to make him a viola da spalla, based on museum instruments. It's adorable: a pint-sized cello, or a large, tubby viola. A strap holds it around the neck - perfect for street musicians. It's tuned to the same pitches as a cello; when Kuijken played the opening of a Bach cello suite on it, the sound was lovely: sweet and round.
Thanks for the post. I heard him playing the instrument many. Everything one might wish from a fine cello playing was there. He is coming here to play in June.
ReplyDeleteWow. In June? When and where?
ReplyDelete