History of the Cello

Records of bowed stringed instruments go back to the Middle Ages, where it is thought that they originated in Central Asia before spreading (via trade routes) to other parts of the world.

9th Century

11th-12th Century (Medieval)

There is evidence of two bowed string instruments being used by European musicians at this time. The lira originated from the Byzantine Empire (Greece) and the rebab an equivalent instrument which originated from the Islamic empires of the Middle East.

The lira and rebab spread throughout Europe and other equivalent families of bowed string instruments were created including the fiddle

13th Century (Renaissance)

The viola da gamba, meaning ‘viol for the leg’ group, was one of the most important family of bowed stringed instruments at this time. These elegant instruments were closely related to the violin family and in their hay-day were of greater importance than the violin. However, they eventually lost ground to the louder and originally viewed as less aristocratic, violin family.

16th Century (Renaissance)

Like all the members of the violin family, the cello first emerged in Northern Italy in the first half of the 16th century in the workshops of famous instrument makers like Andrea Amati and Gasparo da Salo. This family evolved from the viola da braccio, an instrument that was held aloft in the arm, played with a bow and bore a strong resemblance to today's violin. The new violin family had instruments all along the range from bass to soprano voice. Andrea Amati's grandson, Nicolo is perceived as the best cello maker.

To create instruments that played in a lower register, instrument makers experimented with ways to expand the size of the viola da braccio. They were able to increase the string length and bass response, but it soon reached the point where the instruments could no longer be held in the arms. These bass instruments were now positioned on the floor between the knees or in front of the player.

17th - 18th Century (Renaissance)

By the turn of the 17th century, a standard bass violin had been established which was somewhat larger than today's cello. It was known as a "violone" and frequently partnered with the violin in music of the time.

A big milestone for the cello was the development of wire-wound strings in the mid 17th century, which allowed the size of the instruments to be smaller and their sound to be louder and finer. Compared to the traditional gut string, wire-wound strings could handle a much higher string tension and produced a louder sound. In Bologna, where the strings had been invented, instrument makers created the first real cello. Its size and playability made it ideal for solo work, which gave players the opportunity to make a name as virtuoso cellists. By 1700, the cello had become the preferred instrument over the violone and a cello design popularized by famous luthier Antonio Stradivari became the design of choice. Almost the entire population of violones were literally sawed apart and resized en masse in imitation of Stradivarius's preferred cello dimensions. The cello at that point did not have an endpin, so cellists had to squeeze their knees together to keep the instrument from dropping to the floor.

By the mid 18th century, the cello had been standardized at a size similar to today's design.

19th Century (Renaissance)

Starting around the turn of the 19th century, the expanded knowledge and experience of players and instrument makers led to important improvements in every aspect of the cello's design. The string tension was set higher still, which led to quicker response from the instrument and a more clear tone. Combined with a thinner, taller bridge, the result was more volume and the ability to cut through an orchestra or ensemble for solo work. The neck angle was also adjusted to a sharper angle.

There have been a few more improvements to the cello since that time, including the development of the end pin rod (also known as the "spike") to help the player elevate and stabilize the cello as it is played. Previously, the player had to suspend the cello between the legs on the calves with their ankles close together, creating a sort of base under the instrument. This innovation arrived at the end of the 19th century.

The introduction of steel strings in the 1920s led to some changes in repertoire for the cello. This invention improved sound quality and volume by another step. It also helped composers to expand the use of cellos into more sustained lines, where previously they had served best in parts with repeating notes and figures that favoured more percussive playing.
With a long and storied history such as this, not to mention a tone like no other instrument in the orchestra, it isn't hard to see why the cello has remained so popular for so long.