VIOLONCELLO PICCOLO. A violoncello of the ordinary pitch, but of smaller size and having thinner strings. According to Quantz (‘Flötenschule,
’ p. 212), it was generally used for solo-playing, the ordinary violoncello being employed for concerted music. Similarly, the Viola da Gamba used for solo-playing was of smaller size than the six-stringed ‘concert-bass.
’ Bach introduces the Violoncello piccolo in the cantatas ‘Jesu nun sei gepreiset,
’ and ‘Ich geh
’ und suche mit Verlangen.' The parts have the...
