Sergey Malov plays exerpts from Bach`s 6th Suite on Cello da Spalla

[@Slaphaphappy]

This guy breaks my heart, his playing is so beautiful. Delicate, sensitive, brilliant, lively, joyous, dark, rich, deep, restrained, altogether superlative playing of some of my favorite music.

[@fnersch3367]

Yep. Wonderful stuff. This is another world altogether. Saw Casals when I was a kid. Love the low instruments.

[@brendan1888]

I couldn't have said it any better! It's truly amazing!

[@WilliamFord972]

What a lovely instrument! :D

[@katherinewilson6539]

The courante is extraordinary, probably the best I've heared

[@iCyclone]

Once I got over how strange this looks, I started appreciating the sound, which is gorgeous. It has the resonance of a 'cello and the clarity of a viola. It really works.

[@MikeS7]

by "strange" I think you mean badass

[@BrujoLindo]

This instrument is called a "violoncello da spallo." It's made by a Russian ex-pat in Den Hague, Dmitry Badiarov. He doesn't claim to have "invented" the instrument; rather, more like having rediscovered it. He's an extraordinary luthier of the more usual string instruments as well, making authentic baroque violins as well as modern ones. Here's his FB page: facebook.com/dmitrybadiarov?fref=ts; and here's his own web page: badiarovviolins.com/jp/.

[@MrFpam]

Also sometimes called Viola da Spalla (as it is played like a viola).

[@jdstep97]

It's also known as a piccolo cello, I think. I'm just learning today that this instrument even exists. But if you Google Piccolo cello, images of this appear. It's absolutely lovely... whatever it is.

[@ericoschmitt]

I'm yet to hear someone playing like this on the modern cello. This guy is amazing!!

[@Slaphaphappy]

Elizabeth Simpkin plays Bach with incredible vitality. This guy is extraordinary.

[@TheOriginalEntz]

As a cello player allow me to have some words on that .... It is very difficult to play with the thumb on the finger board - and switching thumb positions from neck to fingerboard is rather a tricky move - it slows down any one. With the higher 5th string added we can play the 6th suite much cleaner - not having to shift as high up the finger board. But also there is the issue of the instrument staying still enough for us to attack it with bow and fingers. Cello likes to swim around a bit even if you are very strong and have great posture and hug it the whole time. Very tiring to do ... and causes a sloppy sound in the end. With the strap on like that it hugs it into your chest and you can hold it down with chin - it does not move underneath fingers as much allowing for more precise play. Compare it to trying to draw on a moving train or car vs drawing in an office at a desk where everything is stationary - there will be a difference in the precision of the strokes. And yes I realize he is moving the instrument around as he is playing - but relative to his chest it stays in the same spot - that is the key bit.

[@OliverBatchelor]

@@TheOriginalEntz So I guess if it has all these advantages then why do you play modern cello instead of this instrument?

[@空ちゃん-t5s]

こんなに軽やかで命の輝き溢れる 6番の世界をありがとう！

[@n7275]

This is exactly the instrument for which Bach wrote the Cello Suites; 5 string and all.

[@MitchBoucherComposer]

Simply fantastic!

[@huaraz1060]

excelente interpretación en un instrumento tan inusual!

[@katherinewilson6539]

Also an excellent balance of barque of romantic playing styles in the gavottes

[@svend358]

Beautiful !!!

[@ebowebo]

PERFECTION. How can I own one of these??

[@Мария-м9щ1к]

Recorded by Petersburg recording studio (former Melodia)/ Sound director Alexey Barashkin.

[@dsthorp]

J. S. Bach smiles.

[@johnrobinsoniii4028]

Also called the "Viola Pomposa".

[@n7275]

Shouldn't you wear safety glasses with that bow?

[@mattchoi170]

All (or most) Baroque bows are shaped like that. And yes, you should wear safety goggles, and maybe a biking helmet as well.

[@kavaldzhia]

only if you are the page turner

[@ericoschmitt]

Anyone has the link for the prelude and allemande by him? And the other suites?

[@evaweiss1160]

You can listen to him playing the whole suite here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZOrZH2Pm7edhbM

[@UnequalTemperament]

Full 6th Suite -- don't know about the others: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZOrZH2Pm7edhbM

[@UnequalTemperament]

While searching for "Malov Bach," I came across this fun recording of the first Invention: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4DZn5usirlsnbs (and at least one other player of the instrument he plays here, the violoncello da spalla -- turns out he's not the only one!).

[@kavaldzhia]

Шедевер !!! ПОКЛОН !

[@bettybrown7627]

Is there a strap ?

[@Hi-ke1kn]

Yeah

[@vicenteviola4188]

Betty Brown yes

[@carlosrecinos7785]

Ya

[@TheStockwell]

You should watch this video more closely, because a strap is clearly visible at 0:17 and throughout this video.

[@TheOriginalEntz]

Yes there is a strap. That is why it is called da spalla - referring to the strap.

[@skakdosmer]

The d-string is too low. :( But I wouldn't like this instrument anyway - it sounds like a cigar box with rubber bands for strings.

[@Hi-ke1kn]

Lau Bjerno I believe that’s baroque tuning.

[@chrishimmelmann]

Lau Bjerno I wonder whether you’re right concerning the d-string being out of tune...after three takes of listening I’m still not sure. Might just be the “colour”... Concerning your judgment of the sound, I couldn’t agree less.