Hugo Becker Archives

Schools of Cello Playing: Russia and Armenia

Reprinted with permission from Interlude. Karl Davidov Another important school of cello playing was developed in Russia, founded by the brilliant cellist and composer Karl Davidov. Named the “Czar of Cellists” by none other than the composer Tchaikovsky, Davidov was born in Russia, (now Latvia), in 1838. Soon after his birth the family moved to Moscow. Davidov showed great musical talent at a very young age, but his father, a doctor and amateur violinist, insisted Karl not only study cello and piano, but also mathematics. Davidov completed his mathematics degree at St. Petersburg University before he focused on music as a career. Davidov’s first cello lessons were with Henrich Schmidt in Moscow and then Karl Schuberth in St Petersburg. Davidov, whose intentions were to become a composer, had [...]

By Janet Horvath|2024-07-05T20:10:52-04:00March 18th, 2022|Categories: Historical|Tags: Raya Garbusova, Hugo Becker, Davidov Cello Concerto, Mischa Schneider, Antonio Janigro, Franco-Belgian School, Carl Fuchs, German School, Leo Stern, Schools of Cello Playing, Hanus Wihan, Pablo Casals, Friedrich Grützmacher, Alexander Wierzbilowicz, Bernard Greenhouse, Julius Klengel, Alfred von Glehn, Gregor Piatigorsky, Janet Horvath, Joseph Joachim, Feuermann, Karl Davidov, Fournier, David Soyer, Russian School, Enesco, Diran Alexanian, Armenian School|

Schools of Cello Playing: Germany

CelloBello is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Interlude.hk, a website featuring wonderful articles on all aspects of music and the arts. In this reciprocal arrangement, our two websites will share blogs of mutual interest to our readers. We encourage you to pay Interlude.hk a visit and explore their wide range of fascinating content. We begin our exchange by featuring one of their most prominent authors, the former Associate Principal Cello of the Minnesota Orchestra, Janet Horvath. Following is the first in her series on the various national schools of cello playing. _____________________________ Bernhard Romberg Tracing one’s roots is a popular pastime today. In music, the schools of cello playing can be traced genealogically through the connection we have with our teachers, and their teachers. Just as [...]

By Janet Horvath|2024-07-05T20:14:13-04:00February 11th, 2022|Categories: Historical|Tags: Bernhard Cossmann, Julius Klengel, Janos Starker, Alfred Piatti, Emanuel Feuermann, Friedrich Dotzauer, Hugo Becker, Bernhard Romberg, David Popper, German School, Schools of Cello Playing, Friedrich August Kummer, Friedrich Grützmacher|

A Survey of Bach Suite Editions (1995)

I recently read that there are over 80 editions of Bach's cello suites in existence with publication dates ranging from 1825 to the present. When reading this, my initial reaction was one of incredulity; what significantly different information could the 80th edition, for instance, have to offer over the previous 79 editions? Fortunately, I didn't stop there. I realized that this could be viewed as a great tribute to Bach and a testimonial to the beauty of his cello suites. So I decided to investigate some of these editions and get a glimpse at the insights of each player. The Bach Suites have always been a point of contention in the cello world. Unlike violinists and their solo violin works, we do not have a manuscript copy of Bach's cello [...]

By Tim Janof|2024-07-05T20:21:01-04:00November 30th, 2021|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Repertoire|Tags: Internet Cello Society Archive, Editions, Bach Cello Suites, Pierre Fournier, ICS, Manuscripts, Dimitry Markevitch, Pablo Casals, Diran Alexanian, Bach, Hugo Becker, Janos Starker, August Wenzinger|

Interview with Eva Heinitz (December, 1997)

Interview by Tim Janof Honored by Janos Starker as La Grande Dame du Violoncelle for her lifetime contributions to cello and cello teaching, Eva Heinitz is also known throughout the world for her pioneering work with the viola da gamba. She has performed in solo and chamber music concerts throughout Europe and North and South America, appearing as soloist with the Chicago, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Vancouver Symphonies. She is Professor Emeritus of Cello at the University of Washington. Eva Heinitz is the most powerful presence I have ever met, ever. At 91 years old, she has more fire in her soul than most 20 year olds. Her opinions are strong and passionate, and she states them with a disarming confidence. Born in Berlin in 1907, she grew up in one of the greatest musical centers of [...]

By Tim Janof|2020-11-25T20:17:31-05:00November 18th, 2020|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision, Interviews, Pablo Casals, Performance|Tags: Hugo Becker, Albert Einstein, Viola da gamba, Early Music, Pablo Casals, career|