page_title: Cello
section_title: Famous instruments
hierarchical_section_title: Cello / Famous instruments
caption_attribution_description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servais_Stradivarius
context_page_description: The cello or violoncello is a bowed string instrument of the violin family. Its four strings are usually tuned in perfect fifths: from low to high, C₂, G₂, D₃ and A₃. Each string is an octave lower than the viola's four strings. Music for the cello is generally written in the bass clef, with tenor clef and treble clef used for higher-range passages.
  Played by a cellist or violoncellist, it enjoys a large solo repertoire with and without accompaniment, as well as numerous concerti. As a solo instrument, the cello uses its whole range, from bass to soprano, and in chamber music such as string quartets and the orchestra's string section, it often plays the bass part, where it may be reinforced an octave lower by the double basses. Figured bass music of the Baroque-era typically assumes a cello, viola da gamba or bassoon as part of the basso continuo group alongside chordal instruments such as organ, harpsichord, lute or theorbo. Cellos are found in many other ensembles, from modern Chinese orchestras to cello rock bands.
context_section_description: Specific instruments are famous (or become famous) for a variety of reasons. An instrument's notability may arise from its age, the fame of its maker, its physical appearance, its acoustic properties, and its use by notable performers. The most famous instruments are generally known for all of these things. The most highly prized instruments are now collector's items, and are priced beyond the reach of most musicians. These instruments are typically owned by some kind of organization or investment group, which may loan the instrument to a notable performer. (For example, the Davidov Stradivarius, which is currently in the possession of one of the most widely known living cellists, Yo-Yo Ma, is actually owned by the Vuitton Foundation.)
  Some notable cellos:
  the "King", by Andrea Amati, is one of the oldest known cellos, built between 1538 and 1560—it is in the collection of the National Music Museum in South Dakota.
  Servais Stradivarius is in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.
  Batta-Piatigorsky Stradivarius, played by Gregor Piatigorsky.
  Davidov Stradivarius, played by Jacqueline du Pré, currently played by Yo-Yo Ma.
  Barjansky Stradivarius, played by Julian Lloyd Webber.
  Bonjour Stradivarius, played by Soo Bae.
  Paganini-Ladenburg Stradivarius, played by Clive Greensmith of the Tokyo String Quartet.
  Duport Stradivarius, formerly played by Mstislav Rostropovich.
  Piatti Stradivarius, 1720, played by Carlos Prieto.
caption: The Servais Stradivarius is preserved in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History
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