I wanted to post in this blog some opinions about cellos and playing that I have heard from time to time.
The first topic is the value of a cello. Can you hear a difference based on the price of the cello?
The difference cannot always be heard, but one can often hear a difference. The bow changes the sound a lot and it's worth it to have a really good one.
It has been accepted that the cellos made by luthiers are excellent, while the manufactured cellos being the product of several pairs of hands, are weaker. But this does not have to be the case and the price does not always determine the utility value of the instrument. Price is influenced by the name of the creator, the type of materials used, diligence of execution, and even the history of the instrument who played it once. For example, one of the cellos of the famous Antonio Stradivari is called "Duport" after the name of the famous virtuoso, who played it around 1800. Later its owner was Mstislav Rostropovich, perhaps the greatest cellist in history. This cello wears traces of spurs of shoes ... Napoleon Bonaparte himself, who once tried to play the instrument, squeezed it with his feet. This is probably the most expensive cello in the world, valued at $20 million by the Japanese foundation.
Paradoxically, the sound is not taken into account when making cello valuations, but for musicians it is the most important thing. Sometimes the instrument sounds great in the room, but it is difficult to play on it or it is not comfortable. In this situation you have to consider whether to sacrifice your comfort or replace the cello.