Franz Schubert : Sonata for arpeggione & fortepiano - 1. Allegro moderato

[@RodrigoFernandez-td9uk]

Well, children, when a cello and a guitar love each other very much...

[@yvesrondeau9389]

...yea but the kid looks like his uncle the gamba..

[@aronjakob1]

@@yvesrondeau9389 ...and so does his older brother, violone 🤔

[@Chompchompyerded]

@@yvesrondeau9389 Shhhush! Dad will kill both mom and uncle if he finds out!

[@Chompchompyerded]

Looking at the nut (scroll), it looks like the grandfather might have been very close friends with an Asian, not to mention the viola da gamba in the woodpile.

[@FrogToTheFrog]

@@Chompchompyerdedthe nut is where the strings meet the edge of the fingerboard before bending back to reach the pegs. The scroll is the ornamental addition to the top. There are Viols with that same type of scroll.

[@nicolasdeletaille]

Thank you! Indeed, as far as I could seach, it is still the first video of this sonata played on arpeggione on youtube. I hope it is helpful to see the instruments as well as hear them. If the sound is not deemed perfect enough for this purpuse, I have no better to offer for moment but I would recommend to buy the 2 CDs I recorded with this sonata : one with Paul Badura-Skoda in 2006 (Fuga Libera FUG529) and one with Alain Roudier in 2012 (association pianoforte ad libitum). Thank you again!

[@narayanan26]

Thank you very much Sir, I have been searching for this Arpegione In most of the video Arpegione's part played by Cello, It sounds wonderful

[@michaelp3126]

I remember meeting you in Bayreuth with Paul who played on an early Liszt piano. A soirée to remember. Still regularly listen to and enjoy the CD. Thanks

[@wckoek]

Hello, I wondered who make your arpegionne and how can I find an arpegionne with compensated frets like yours?

[@nicolasdeletaille]

Thank you for your interesting comments. You are right in your decription; of course, the difficulty for us, knowing the modern cello, is to listen to the arpeggione without comparing to modern cello. The vibrato or the steel string cello sound comes as a normal thing, while it is in fact the opposite; the modern cello is a different tool, a translate text, etc. and the arpeggione is the source. A child raised in the city is surprised to find eggs coming from the hens...

[@KeepiitReaI]

i can't believe someone actually played this on the arpeggione!!

[@JustClaude13]

My compliments to whoever had the patience to make those frets...

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Long dark winter nights!

[@ducklandstrawberry2073]

Check out microtonal guitars.

[@Giltindor]

Is it tolgahan çoğulu?

[@pitmezzari2873]

It's called true temperament and it's actually useless

[@SteelSkin667]

​@@pitmezzari2873 True Temperament use a single squiggly fret wire per fret, and I don't believe that they make frets for classical instruments anyway - I don't even know if they take custom orders. These look like split frets, so they were probably installed by the luthier who made the instrument.

[@5610winston]

I'm so glad that this instrument has survived and that we may enjoy something more closely approaching Schubert's original intention. The arpeggione provides a more delicate timbre than the cello, which, I think, was the point of the piece.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Because it's a cross between a Cello & a Guitar the sound is kind of in between the 2.

[@jacks5kids]

You are glad that this arpeggione exists, but I think its a great shame that the arpeggione has not survived as an instrument. It's rare to see one, though this recoding was made with a really fine specimen. And beyond the celebrated Schubert sonata, composers have hardly written anything for the arpeggione. Wouldn't be great if we could revive the arpeggione?

[@5610winston]

@@jacks5kids Check out the "guitar-viol"

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@jacks5kids But the Guitar Viol is a Modern Arpeggione

[@Rickriquinho]

The possibility to listen this marvelous composition on its original instrument is a gift to us!

[@davidtalbot941]

Why is everyone surprised to find that Schubert knew what he was doing? Wonderful- to my ears the rough edges of the arpeggione suit this music better than the perfection of the modern cello.

[@rockon416]

With lack of knowledge on 19th century music, Everybody just simply follow the band wagon by worshipping Mozart, Beethoven and Rossini. They were like the rock stars at the time in Vienna. Schubert’s music is more complicated and intimate. His 1,500 pieces of compositions were more than the total of these 3 mentioned. To me he was the greatest composer in history hands down.

[@erika6651]

@@rockon416 I've always loved Schubert unquestionably, never understood the criticisms and hate. Do his critics not appreciate melody or intimate vulnerability? He's always been a complete and ingenious composer despite his compositional deficits. You are the first person I've ever encountered to label him as "the greatest" - I believe that to be Beethoven, but I'm beyond thrilled you hold your opinion. ❤

[@rockon416]

@@erika6651. Thank you your thoughtful reply. Beethoven who I also admire died at 56 with 722 works; Schubert died at 31 with over 1,500. It would’ve been scary if Schubert had lived another 25 years. What would god given genius created. Month before death, Ludwig had a chance to see Schubert’s composition and said, “this Schubert there dwells a divine spark!” Schubert’s death at such young age was a tragedy to humanity. His secular vocal works alone was 600. 7 symphonies, sacred music, operas, large body of piano and chamber music. He could’ve followed Beethoven and composed more grandiose pieces but he preferred more intimate works including many solemn and serene music as he witnessed deaths of several siblings and his mother at an early age. His 4 hands piano Fantasy in F minor is exquisitely brilliant and superior to any others 4 hands piano. All the popular composers before, during and after Schubert had the support of rich patrons and nobles; Schubert had none other than his royal friends. For this reasons alone to me he was the greatest.

@@rockon416 I have to agree. Schubert is my favorite composer, too. Regards,

[@simonkawasaki4229]

Sounds very delicate, as if the voice is about to burst in tears.

[@mauriwayar]

Yesss exactly that's my feeling too!

[@mustelidify]

How exciting to hear this on an actual arpeggione! Cool

[@auladechelo1104]

Its Incredible, I can see an Arpeggione in action 175 years leater. Thanks for this oportunity.

[@JasonShu]

It's really refreshing to hear this sonata played with "historically accurate" instruments! Although I like the cello version more, this gives the listener a more authentic perspective of the piece and Schubert's intentions.

[@kiyoria]

Today I listened to his performance of arpeggione in Japan! I was really impressed with the beautiful sound. It was much better than via internet.

[@stefanrogers9091]

You lucky person

[@Hoeen5373]

3:40 i understood why this is for arpeggione. This 6-string piccicato is wonderful.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Disagree. Shrill and indistinct, compared to the cello, like a clavichord when compared to a modern piano...

[@CesarJoseee]

@@CLASSICALFAN100 I prefer clavichords. I like their fruity, crisp tone. Plus some have sympathetic strings which add a sort of echo, reverb effect. Here's an example of what I'm talking about kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKq4m4KootKZjqc

[@oldbird4601]

@@CLASSICALFAN100 it really depends on the piece and personal taste. I prefer cello in this piece just like you, but that rendition misses out on the 6 string pizzicato and thinner sound of the arpeggione 🤷‍♂️. These old instruments have moments where they shine.

[@MrSiruiz]

First time I hear the Arpeggione and it's so beautiful.

[@Twentythousandlps]

This excellent performance proves Schubert's writing is better suited to the arpeggione than to the heavier cello. He adapted to its idiosyncrasies and wrote in a way he never did for the cello.

[@frederiquefiorente8794]

Incomparable ! La véritable sonate pour Arpeggione et pianoforte ! Quel magnifique instrument et quelle finesse d'interprétation !

[@GiovanniPiacentiniMusic]

What an absolutely gorgeous performance. It's amazing to hear how this piece works the best for the original instrument it was written for.. Sound so much better than violin, viola and even cello. Forte piano sounds awesome too! Thanks for posting!

[@theamazingnoah4160]

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to hear this beautiful piece played on the instruments for which it was written. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn, and a wonderful experience to hear.

[@nostalgiakarlk.f.7386]

It's nice seeing this played on an ACTUAL arpeggione instead of a cello.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The Arpeggione was originally meant for Chords but Schubert figured out how it can also play nice Melodies

[@concentusxl]

Una interpretazione rara e affascinante, così come doveva essere al tempo di Schubert. Complimenti vivissimi !!

[@scottfhannigan]

One of my favourite works - and especially beguiling played on the arpeggione.

[@branflakes2600]

Played on an arpeggione, it sounds, lighter, smoother, and gentler, as opposed to the strong, aggressive attack, and richer, heavy sound of a cello or double bass.

[@martinriha3729]

strange , arpeggione tone seems to me way more agressive than cello, those high aliquotes are quite annoying to my ear, cello seems more mellow to me... It's just the way i feel it, usually people say the sound of arpeggione , da gamba, d'amour is so smooth and precious but to my ear it feels really annoying, like a buzzing mosquito. It's quite refreshing to hear this on another instrument but I cannot imagine listening it for an hour. Cello on the other hand..

[@arsantiqua8741]

Viola da gamba...

[@nocturnallsnake4228]

Never heard it on bass. I agree that freted bowed instruments sound more harsh or metallic than non freted.

[@joshg7354]

@@nocturnallsnake4228 It is the best on bass actually, imo

[@SeaRasp]

Martin Říha i agree it produces a quite piercing sound

[@sohailaseaudy9519]

Amaaaazing , authentic instruments played real with Schubert intentions and feelings

[@CarolHaynesJ]

What a real treat and beautifully played by both of you. Thanks for posting it. I am glad there are so many positive comments and curiosity but I find it really annoying that the internet seems to let a minority make rude and unpleasant comments without having to prove their credentials to justify themselves. How many people are put off sharing on the internet for fear of brewing a storm of negativity? For all the negative posters here is a challenge - post a video of yourself playing it!

[@Refrescospepito]

An authentic arpeggione. Bravo!

[@lessonadori5062]

Bravo to you two. Very beautiful versions. The sound of the piano is really so full of colors.

[@seasidefoto]

I am so happy to listen to this beautiful music before I get old and wear hearing aids.

[@jlg19100]

bravo et merci. J'ai téléphoné à Schubert, il est très content aussi.

[@kassandragauthier5199]

MAgnifique!Merci,cher maitre Deletaille,cher maitre Roudier,pour donner -nous cette merveille! B ravo!

[@mycroftholmes7003]

Stunningly brilliant. Not only was it well played but well filmed. I'd never heard of an arpeggione until now which is some feat in and of itself. I'd heard of a da gamba but this is just marvelous. A micro-tempered instrument with movable frets? Genius!!!! Nicolas Delataille plays marvelously. A beautiful piece played beautifully. M

[@KathrynKure]

Book-marking for later -

[@lm2be]

Such a beautiful interpretation and played on the instruments for which this piece was commissioned!

[@lggano]

I wanted to look this up after seeing Scott Yoo's program on Schubert last night on PBS. Bravo!

[@dwightbrown2808]

The frets look like a modern design. I had a recording on Archiv from almost 40 years ago that used an original instrument. It had a lot of problems with intonation. Bowed string instruments with fixed metal frets seem to be problematic. Viola da Gambas have movable gut frets that are tied around the neck. The intonation problem may be why it never caught on.

[@kyfisher3662]

the only video i can find of an arpeggione, would love to see more, even a video talking about it would great :D

[@mauriwayar]

Wow, so beautiful, this colors fit much better with early romantic Schubert (with a very sensitive soul) than an extremely full cello sound with lots of vibrato. Very moving interpretation ❤

[@nicolasdeletaille]

thank you! It is a gift for me too I must say. I am happy to share.

[@kilimanjarno]

Bravo! Fantastic fortepiano playing, fantastic arrpeggione. What a great duo you make together!

[@lioraartemis7486]

What an absolutely sublime sound! It is much more light than the typical deep sound of the cello, thank you for this inspiration that I can take into my own interpretation :)

[@luizcorato7562]

A marvelous gift for us, listeners. Thank you very much for posting!

[@PierreMichaudCelloMusic]

Bravo Nicolas, et merci pour ce précieux travail d'authenticité !

[@peterluth]

Bravi! Arpeggione+Fortepiano! Magnifico abbinamento!

[@ericalbany]

Well balanced playing by the pianist, who deserves praise

[@SuperAsalvador]

Fortepiano designates the early version of the piano, from its invention by the Italian instrument maker Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700 up to the early 19th century. It was the instrument for which Haydn, Mozart, and the early Beethoven wrote their piano music. Starting in Beethoven's time, the fortepiano began a period of steady evolution, culminating in the late 19th century with the modern grand. The earlier fortepiano became obsolete and was absent from the musical scene for many decades. In the 20th century the fortepiano was revived, following the rise of interest in historically informed performance. Fortepianos are built for this purpose today in specialist workshops.

[@editionsrameau9016]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the fortepiano typically has wooden sounding board, while the piano has a metal one. This has a big effect on the tone quality as well as volume. Much of the music of Mozart's time was meant to be played in the home, rather than the concert hall and the fortepiano suits a smaller space. But as music moved to large concert halls more powerful instruments were needed.

[@sarahkraus8247]

@@editionsrameau9016 no, fortepianos were played in concert halls, clavichords were played at home

[@zamppa63]

​@@editionsrameau9016Soundboard on modern (grand)pianos is still wooden. There is cast iron frame put onto that to withstand the high tension of the more modern steel strings etc...

[@alfonsomartin6686]

La melancolía de Schubert queda reflejada en esta interpretación con un arpeggione original .Las versiones al violonchelo , algunas de ellas magníficas , carecen de autenticidad

[@ezequielcamacho5956]

Te recomiendo escuchar la interpretación de Daniil Shafran... es quien llevó esta obra a su máxima esplendor.

[@ivivi56]

Wonderful wonderful... thank you for sharing!!!!

[@47violon]

Un vrai régal ! Bravo... Il faut entendre ce duo dans une salle de concert. Ce sue font Nicolas et Alain Roudier est magnifique. Et quels instruments !

[@BernardoAroztegui]

Magnifique! Merci!

[@kayekog]

That was wonderful and beautiful. Thank you.

[@needviola]

I listen for 2 seconds and I already know it will be the best!!!!!!!!! Love this piano

[@uli9084]

Perfect, this is what Schubert had in mind!

[@gasparocelloman9852]

Bravo! And, such a beautiful piano.

[@Kwert]

Beautifully done by both players!

[@TheMarco1530]

Salut! mille merci pour cette performance, j'adore cette sonata, mais je ne l'avais jamais écouté tel quel elle était concue... c'est vraiment magnifique est c'est la première fois que j'entends un arpeggione... merci de ce beau cadeau! bonne continuation Nicolas!

[@beatrizmelendez18]

Thank you for this gift!!

[@EnosVaciloto]

Bravo Nicolas and Alain. Wonderful play. Watching and listening to you were a wonderful way to start a Saturday.

[@weirdface3838]

the love child of classical guitar and cello

[@danielefalassi168]

Finalmente suonata davvero con un Arpeggione!

[@carrietide]

Bravissimo.I love the authenticity.

[@carrietide]

A real arpeggione and a fortepiano:Schubert meant that particular sound!😊

[@szucsgabormate]

Bravo Nicolas, great recording!

[@johnoneill7207]

I've heard this composition previously, but this is the first time played on the instrument it was written for. This is much different is sound from the cello or other substitutions. Great!

[@jospenner9503]

Wonderful performance. The way it was meant to be played.

[@callum1231234]

Why do we not use the arpeggione anymore. It sounds great.

[@docjikar]

We do! Or at least we have a modern day equivalent. It's called a Guitarviol. They're made by Togaman Guitars. They're mostly used for film scores. It would be nice to hear this Sonata played on one of those as well. :-)

[@allensanderson7869]

Callum Wilde they are awkward to hold and because it has so many strings they are hard to get much sound out of without hitting more than one at once

[@allensanderson7869]

@Oscar S. The Gadget guy Circuts & strings No. 2 which makes advanced string crossings impossible

[@allensanderson7869]

@Oscar S. The Gadget guy Circuts & strings No. 2 all high quality bridges are custom. A more curved bridge has it's own set of issues.

[@uhh4312]

the only arpeggione piece that survive is this

[@duoboccherini2335]

Amazing ! Thank you for your talent and authenticity. Peace and love from Boccherini Duo.

[@sephirotic87]

Love the timbre of those historical accurate instruments, and the interpretation is also flawless! The pizzicato on that Arpeggione sounds much better than any modern cello! I wonder if it's because of the frets?

[@Muzikman127]

it precisely is because of the frets; on a fretted instrument the stopped notes ring out as clearly (or close to as clearly) as an open string does. The frets don't even have to be metal to make a significant difference; tie a few pieces of nylon/gut round a violin's neck, and you will hear plucked notes ring out as clearly as a mandolin

[@Muzikman127]

Fingers are spongy, soft, squishy things. Plucking a string stopped by a finger generates pretty much the same effect as deliberate palm muting on a guitar, producing a much faster decay, with a strong rolloff in the upper harmonics. For a bowed instrument, on which the string is constantly being supplied new energy by the bow, this makes little difference, if anything it's advantageous, mellowing up the tone slightly, and removing unwanted resonances. When an instrument is plucked though, frets make all the difference (in layman's terms, it's the difference between a _plonk_ and a _driiing_ haha)

[@fortepianowalter]

Bravi! fantastic fortepiano!

[@dundyzip]

Very good performance!

[@marcosPRATA918]

Uma raridade com um belo timbre. Os trastes chamam à atenção. O solista é exímio!

[@woutbos4146]

Franz je hebt dit mooi geschreven!! het blijft 100 en meer jaar nog even boeiend!!

[@AlamoCityCello]

Bravo! Super Playing

[@OrangeSodaKing]

Wow, this is incredible.

[@PierreMichaudCelloMusic]

Bravo, magnifique !

[@gallitodepalo4537]

Beautiful, bravo!!!

[@johansmit6018]

Wonderful !

[@davehshs651]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting this. I've enjoyed this music for several years played on the cello or violin with piano, but have never heard it actually played on an arpeggione. (I confess to preferring the richer tone of the cello over both the arpeggione and viola da gamba.).

[@benettonsanchez]

Outstanding. Beautiful. You remind me of Viscount Bullingdon and a camel, and you play really well.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Nicolas Deletaille It's tuned like a Guitar at E Standard (E, A, D, G, B, E) & I believe it takes Standard Guitar Strings. This instrument happens to be designed for Gut Strings so I think Nylon (which is the Modern Equivalent) might last a bit longer such as the Magma GC110C Medium Tension Fluorocarbon Strings.

[@nelyviolist]

Bravo !! 👏🏽

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Nicolas Deletaille You could also play Mozart's Violin Concertos on the Arpeggione, the Solo Violin part will sound an Octave lower than written.

[@nukes27]

Just terrific. I'm going to worry less about my "flying 4th finger" during rehearsal workouts. Most likely I was a cellist in a previous lifetime!

[@asherwade]

Forget the Arpeddione [sorry], I fell immediately in love with the fortepiano, woW !!!

[@Rickriquinho]

Congratulations!

[@ericalbany]

Great clarity

[@wcsxwcsx]

So that's an arpeggione. It certainly sounds like a viola da gamba.

[@gyrocompa]

I had exactly the same thought, and like viola da gamba it also has 6 strings and frets. Since my daughter plays the viola da gamba, I will suggest her to work on it : thus she will have the opportunity to play romantic music :-)

[@painovoimaton]

Like a viola da gamba, but with perhaps a brighter and more piercing tone with less of the characteristic hum of the gamba. It's certainly interesting.

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

Yes, I've thought the same.

[@aronjakob1]

It's basically a small version of the violone - a member of the gamba family that survived until the mid 19th century because there wasn't a playable bass version of the violin and therefore wasn't phased out by the violin family. I think the arpeggione was first made in the early 19th century, and by that time the violone had somewhat evolved from its gamba past. Perhaps that's why it's slightly different to the original gambas

[@aronjakob1]

@@gyrocompa that's very cool. It it a hobby or does/did she study period music?

[@nicolasdeletaille]

I can not synthetise 12 years of experience with the instrument in 500 caracters of a youtube comment box. Usually "out of tune" does not mean "differing from equal-temperament" but means out of tune, i.e. wrong. For this reason my answer was a serious one and I repeat it: the best way to answer to this question is to experiment by yourself. After a few years you might have changed your perception of intonation. Or not. But in both cases you will answer your question better than I could do.

[@jinnycello]

This makes me happy :D

[@rdraznik]

Exquisite........

[@nicolasdeletaille]

Thank you for your comment!

[@rdraznik]

Nicolas Deletaille Nicholas, I had neither heard of you, the instrument nor the music until this morning. I am constantly amazed to become aware of music I had never heard previously. Bless you for your skills.

[@BorisCr]

Est-ce que votre instrument en un d'époque, ou est-ce une copie? En tout état de cause, je considère que vous avez restaurez un joyaux de la musique romantique! Et les quelques mesure en pizzicato nous fait entendre la parenté avec la guitare. Merci infiniment d'avoir mis en ligne ce vidéo.

[@Pawel_Malecki]

A studio recording of this should become the default.

[@pabloreece6808]

Maravillosos ambos instrumentos a la par de los extraordinarios interpretes de esta obra colosal pero intima al mismo tiempo de Franz Schubert. En algo me recuerda el timbre del arpegione al del bajo de viola da gamba., Como es posible que este bello instrumento no tuvo mas cultores que proyecten su permanencia en el tiempo ?

[@ruperttmls7985]

Lo dejaron de usar por lo difícil que es su interpretación, como pasó con el “baryton” de Haydn.

[@류승윤-x6q]

The REAL Arpeggione sonata.

[@jdiih6294]

really beautiful recording.. sad to see this unique instrument fall off the map. But then again I suppose our beloved cello and double bass will become obsolete in a few hundred years as well

[@Ukgejap]

Bravo!

[@jenns.3596]

I want to learn to play the arpeggione. Wow.

[@LiDrLin]

o! my god, so high level!

[@aronpetrusbolonicellist]

Amazing ! :) sounds great! :)

[@audioguy617]

프란츠 슈베르트가 직접 봤던 아르페지오네로 연주한 것이라면, 정말 감회가 새롭네요.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Nicolas Deletaille It's E Standard Tuning & I noticed w/ my sharp eyes that you were using a Cello Bow.

[@nicolasdeletaille]

Yes; by ear, I would say 420-422.

[@Pawel_Malecki]

Mozart had a pitchfork manufactured in Vienna resonating at 421,6 for his own fortepiano; it was definitely an option for Schubert to own similar one.