The video podcast (on YouTube), Cool Instruments for Hep Cats, Episode 5, Part 1 of 1 with the one and only Andrew Gonzalez has just posted. This is the first new episode in quite a while. In this one-part episode, Don Rickert and Andrew Gonzalez discuss the Violoncello da Spalla from the perspective of a professional player. Andrew Gonzalez is a violist and one of the preeminent players of the Violoncello da Spalla. Host, Don Rickert, is a musician and luthier as well, who makes various stringed instruments, including violoncellos da spalla.
This will be of interest to anyone considering taking up the violoncello da spalla, as well as those who already have taken the leap. The large body of video content on YouTube and other social media featuring Andrew’s playing have inspired many.
The key topics covered:
- What is a Violoncello da Spalla?
- Andrew’s discovery of the instrument a decade ago
- His Violoncello da Spalla journey
- Andrew’s quest for a good Violoncello da Spalla that he could afford
- Collaboration with American luthier Donald Rickert (the host of this podcast) to make him a professional performance quality instrument
- How the Violoncello da Spalla opened up a whole new career path
- How does a Violoncello da Spalla differ from a regular full-size 4-string cello?
- Difference in size
- How the instruments are held for playing
- Difference in sound
- Examples (playing demo)
- Use of scordatura to allow maximum use of open strings on some pieces
Note: the podcast was conducted remotely, meaning that Don Rickert was in Georgia and Andrew was in New York, which is NOT optimal for audio quality. A better-quality recording of the same piece on the same instrument can be seen at: https://youtu.be/TskvS4RGa-I?si=kjgN4yQ4KAEW7k0u. the piece is Gavottes I and II from Bach's Cello Suite no. 6 in D.
To learn more about Andrew, see:
- https://andrewgonzalezviolist.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/violagonspallez
- On Andrew's Instagram page there is a plethora of short videos, which include him playing the Violoncello da Spalla made for him in 2018 by Donald Rickert.
The web address for the “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats” is: @Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats - https://www.youtube.com/@Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats/podcasts
Don Rickert’s main website, ‘D. Rickert Musical Instruments’, is https://www.RickertMusicalInstruments.com.
Online store, ‘Don Rickert Musician Shop’, is https://www.DonRickertMusicianshop.com.
Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to ALL of my detailed contact information, my websites and social media.
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Phone (in US): 706-896-0909 or 706-400-1481 (mobile)
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