The 'violoncello da spalla' is a relatively small cello that was played on the shoulder, and a modern copy of this instrument was made for Sergey Malov by luthier Dmitry Badiarov for this recording.
Performer Biography
Sergey Malov is a versatile musician who has won major competitions on both the violin and the viola, and he successfully combines these instruments, along with the violoncello da spalla, in his performances and recordings.
Instruments
Sergey Malov performs Bach's Partita no. 2 on a historic violin built by Gioffredo Cappa, a student of Nicola Amati, who was a contemporary of Bach.
Composition History
Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita no. 2 in D minor, a central work in musical literature, was composed as a 'Tombeau' for his deceased first wife, Maria Barbara.
Recording & Production
The album features works by Johann Sebastian Bach and György Ligeti, with Sergey Malov aiming to discover and share the 'breathtaking connection' between these seemingly disparate pieces.
Composition History
György Ligeti's Sonata for viola solo was initially composed as separate movements for different occasions and later combined into a single work.
Album & Artwork
This album, titled '13 Strings', is a project by musician Sergey Malov, who performs on three different instruments: violin, viola, and the five-stringed violoncello da spalla.
