The cello speaks to people all over the world; In concerts halls, stadiums, bars, the United Nations general assembly (P. Casals, 1971), the Berlin wall (M. Rostropovich, 1989), and many more venues and circumstances. The cello is, with no doubt, the voice of humanity.
When my older brother picked up the violin, I approached my parents and said “I want a BIG violin”, so my parents gave me a cello. I was 4 years old then and, I’ve been playing ever since.
Of all instruments I know, the cello is the most human. It has a true bass, true mid and a true treble, and has a wide and versatile pallet of colors and expression, making the artistic possibilities virtually endless.
It is for these reasons I find the cello attractive, and have dedicated my life to learning it. I liked it when I was four years old and I’m still in love with it three decades later.
Yoni Draiblate
-when Casals (age 93) was asked why he continued to practice the cello three hours a day…
“I’m beginning to notice some improvement.” (Pablo Casals)
