The Adventures of a Cello

About this book

In 1720 Antonio Stradivari crafted an exquisite work of art?a cello known as the Piatti. Over the next three centuries of its life the Piatti cello left its birthplace of Cremona Italy and resided in Spain Ireland England Italy Germany and the United States. The Piatti filled sacred spaces such as the Santa Cueva de Cdiz with its incomparable voice. It also spent time in more profane places including New York City bars where it served as a guarantee for unpaid liquor tabs. The Piatti narrowly escaped Nazi Germany in 1935 and was once even left lying in the street all night. In 1978 the Piatti became the musical soul mate of world-renowned cellist Carlos Prieto with whom it has given concerts around the world. In this delightful book Mr. Prieto recounts the adventurous life of his beloved "Cello Prieto " tracing its history through each of its previous owners from Stradivari in 1720 to himself. He then describes his noteworthy experiences of playing the Piatti cello with which he has premiered some eighty compositions. In this part of their mutual story Prieto gives a concise summary of his own remarkable career and his relationships with many illustrious personalities including Igor Stravinsky Dmitry Shostakovich Pablo Casals Mstislav Rostropovich Yo-Yo Ma and Gabriel Garca Mrquez. To make the story of his cello complete Mr. Prieto also provides a brief history of violin making and a succinct review of cello music from Stradivari to the present. He highlights the work of composers from Latin America Spain and Portugal for whose music he has long been an advocate and principal performer. Thus The Adventures of a Cello offers not only the first biography of a musical instrument but also an inviting overview of cello music and its preeminent composers and performers.