History of the Violoncello

This book covers the historical evolution of the art of the violoncello in the West - performing, composing and teaching - for a period of almost two centuries, from the classical style of the 18th century to the present.
Special attention is paid in the book to the historically most significant and progressive stages of development of the art of the cello, to schools and to the most talented performers. The essay genre of the book enables coverage of events of a long and meaningful chronological period,' and the examination of many countries and schools. Given the abundance of names which history has recorded, this form made possible an extensive study of the major events in, and a description of, the careers and styles of many concert cellists without converting the book into an encyclopedic reference work.