Lutherie

In Focus: From Strad to Slava

2021-10-25T14:35:00

Slava Strad front

The ’Duport’ cello is a fine example of Stradivari’s ‘Form B Piccola’. Samuel Zygmuntowicz examines Rostropovich’s own instrument, in this article from October 1997

AIthough Stradivari was not the first maker to design and build moderate-sized cellos suitable for solo playing, once he began building his ‘Forma B Piccola’ around 1707, he produced a group of the finest cellos ever made. These instruments which include the ‘Duport’ of 1711, now played by Rostropovich, the ‘Davidov’ of 1712 (ex-du Pre now Yo-Yo Ma) and the ‘Batta’ of 1714 (Piatigorsky), vary slightly in detail but they all retain the basic design and dimensions.

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