A Show-and-Tell Baroque Cello Bonanza

Learn all about the baroque cello in this special presentation by area cellist Joachim Woitun.

Our musical instruments have changed significantly over time as musicians, composers and builders brought new sound ideas to the fore. These changes for the cello involved its size and shape as well as its various parts such as the strings, the bow and the bridge. Many performers today wish to make their efforts sound (as much as can be determined) like it sounded when written. To this end, aside from the configuration of the instrument, there is also the matter of pitch. Today most of the music we hear is pitched at A = 440 Hz (Hz denotes the number of vibrations per second) but this number did not even begin to be standardized until the middle of the 19th century, and in the baroque era was usually considerably lower (ca 1/2 tone) than it is today.

Joachim will bring three different instruments in this presentation:

• Violoncello piccolo with stringing E-A-D-G @415 Hz (as heard during the concert on January 25)

• 18th c. baroque cello (rebuilt by Gabriela Guadalajara) with stringing A-D-G-C @415 Hz

• Cello with French baroque set up, stringing G-D-G-C @392 Hz

Joachim will provide a short introduction on how he acquired each instrument, the thoughts that went into configuring them (stringing, pitch, etc), and various bows and their playing characteristics. Movements from baroque sonatas will highlight the instruments, with Greg Biss accompanying on harpsichord.

There is no cost to attend; donations are gratefully appreciated.

About Joachim:

Joachim Woitun studied cello, theory and music history at the Richard Strauss Conservatory and the Hochschule für Musik in Munich. He moved to the USA in 1987 to continue his studies with Michael Flaksman, Stephen Kates and Barbara Mallow-Stein, earning degrees from Eastern Washington University and Queens College of The City University of New York. Mr. Woitun’s teaching credentials include a two-year Suzuki teacher training course at The School for Strings in New York, as well as participation in the Margaret Rowell Seminar at the San Francisco Music Conservatory.

While studying string pedagogy with Nicholas Anderson, he has made as in-depth study of the teaching principles of the legendary Margaret Rowell. Mr. Woitun was featured as a soloist with the Sinfonieorchester Kurt Graunke in Munich as well as with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with members of the Vermeer String Quartet, and given numerous sonata and chamber music recitals in the tristate area of New York and beyond. Mr. Woitun maintains an active teaching studio in New York, and he teaches strings classes and chamber music at the Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, New York. He has been on the faculty of Summerkeys since 2007.