I choose to do the research on the Cello since its my favorite music instrument History: The Italians were the first to invent the cello in the sixteenth century. The proper name for this instrument is violoncello which means little violone. The main purpose of its invention was because the composers need of an instrument that was toned lower than the violin or the viola. The design of cello was based on the bass violin shape. Even though the cello was invented in the sixteenth century, the use of the cello wasnt popular among composers until the nineteenth century. Since then, the cellos kept under modifications and renovations until it ended up to the shape and style that it has nowadays. So for instance, the current cellos have higher angled necks, higher bridge, and higher tension gut strings. http://www.hertzmusic.eu/cello/cello_history.htm http://www.chrisbsmusic.com/cellohistory.html Famous Performers: As any musical instruments, the cello has various famous performers who excelled in performing with the cello. For instance, Pierre Fournier (1906-1986), a French performer who was one of the famous cello performers, he also was known as the aristocrat of cellists. The reason that made Fournier choose to play the cello is a disease in his leg that made him unable to play the piano in a proper way. Fournier performed many concerts in different parts in the world such as, America, Europe and Russia as well. Fournier kept playing the cello throughout his lifetime until he died in 1986 at the age of 80. Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976) was another widely known cellist. Similar to Fournier, Piatigorsky started the habit of playing the cello when he was a child. He first played piano and violin, but he couldnt resist the fabulous sound of the cello, so he decided to be a cellist instead of pianist. Piatigorsky performed in Russia, Germany, Poland and the US as well. He was famously known among other composers such as Rostropovich. He died of cancer in 1976 at the age of 73. http://www.cello.org/cnc/cellold.htm http://sites.google.com/a/fredparry.net/cello-lessons/photos Famous Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) is considered one of the famous cello sonatas composers. Beethoven, who was born in Germany, first learnt music from his father who was himself a great musician. Beethoven later moved to Austria and spent most of his lifetime there. Unfortunately, he lost his ability to hear in 1801 but that wasnt a barrier for him to continue composing music. Basically Beethoven is considered one of the genius musicians ever known. Another cello composer is Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). One of his best works was a concert which included both violin and cello. Similar to Beethoven, Brahms began his music life with his father who was teaching him music lessons. Again as Beethoven, Brahms spent almost all of his life in Vienna writing musical symphonies. Some people consider Brahms the successor to Beethoven since his works were so great and fabulous. In my opinion, I think that Beethoven and Brahms were the greatest composers at their time. http://www.thecellosite.com/composers/index.html http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/cellopiano.html

Repertoire: Suite No. 1 in G major by Johann Sebastian Bach Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56 by Ludwig van Beethoven Concerto No. 2 in D Major by Joseph Haydn Double Concerto in A minor by Johannes Brahms Suite Italienne by Igor Stravinsky http://www.cellohandbook.com/repertoire.htm http://www.cello.org/Cello_Introduction/Z.html Famous Orchestras: The cello is an essential instrument in most orchestras. For instance, the cello is mainly used in the Philadelphia Orchestra which is one of the most successful orchestras around the world. it was established in 1900 and lasted for over a century. Its success and popularity is represented by its many performances and huge record scales. The orchestra has musicians who used cello along with other string instrument like violin and double basses. Another famous orchestra is the Roanoke Orchestra Symphony which was established in 1953. However, it wasnt recognized until 1986 after years of planning and hard work until it became one of the greatest orchestras around the world. Its success is manifested in its great performances like the one with Moody Blues. For instance, American Piano Concertos which featured works from American composers is one of their successful recordings. Similar to the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra use the cello along with other string instruments such as violin and double basses. http://www.philorch.org http://www.rso.com