Cello

Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides

by William Pleeth

This volume is an introduction to cello playing by an outstanding recitalist, soloist and teacher of international repute whose natural wish - as a teacher - would be to sing, play and show what he means. But a devoted pupil, Nona Pyron, herself a figure of some authority in the world of the cello, has guided and marshalled William Pleeth's brilliantly perceptive advice - based on a lifetime's playing and teaching - into the confines of this valuable book.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 1992

Reviews

[jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

i've been reading this book quietly in the background over the past few months, finished it yesterday, and wanted to write a few notes about it. bill pleeth, the author, was jacqueline du pre's teacher. i've been a bit in love with them both since watching a film called "jacqueline du pre in portait" by the excellent bbc documentarist christopher nupen. here's a clip from the film featuring them both: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UGV3N... (the full film was once available on youtube, but appears to have been taken down. if this sort of thing interests you, i highly recommend renting it from netflix.)

the book is broken into 4 short sections, roughly: musicianship, technique, pedagogy, and the instrument's history. the section on musicianship (called something like "the philosophy of making music") is highly recommended text for anyone who makes music, even if you don't play cello - there are so very many gems to uncover here.

i enjoyed the rest of the book as well, but i'd only suggest spending time to read the final three sections if you're a cellist, a teacher, have kids who play music (there's a whole section on responsible, non tiger-mother guidance for parents whose children aspire to be musicians), or you are a nerd like me about this stuff and are really interested in the development of the instrument and/or historical music.

again, that first section's indispensable for any musician, so i encourage you not to be dissuaded by the specificity of the title of the book. it's become one of the more important and cherished volumes in my music library.

blah blah.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful overview of technique and cello history by a the teacher of Jacqueline Du Pre. His warm and enthusiastic personality comes through talking about even the most mundane aspects of playing. You have to read this if your a cellist and I think it would translate to other musicians as well.

[Randall Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you play cello, you'll need to read this. most helpful technique book i've read on cello.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful, educational, and inspiring. William Pleeth's enthusiasm bleeds through the page and he introduced me to new ideas about cello technique, teaching, and repertoire.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended up skimming the more “learning to play the cello” chapters at the end, but overall still an interesting read about cello theory and history. I do think the author sometimes spends a bit too much time going into hypotheticals and metaphors to explain how he views cello playing, but it works nonetheless.

[Marta Podwysocka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly inspiring and very beautifully written.

[Ally]

I REALLY skimmed this one. I'm sure it has lots of great info (I've read it before) but it's probably just not the right time for me. In a bit of a reading slump right now and this was not the one to pull me out.