The Violoncello is an Excellent instrument, not only in concert, but also for playing Lessons &c. This instrument may be Consider’d as a Large Fiddle only held the contrary way . . .

The prevailing idea about the ’cello is that it does very well in a quartet, or trio, or in orchestra work, but that as a solo instrument it has no charm. This is very odd indeed, if you stop a moment to consider the violoncello for what it really is – just a big violin with a bass voice.

This instrument is not recognisable in his hands; it speaks, expresses, it renders all of the charm that was heretofore believed to be exclusively reserved for the violin.

Well it is true that extraordinary artists, as for instance Servais, manage the violoncello so that one might believe one is listening to a violin concerto . . .

Violinists alone, of all string players, have been able to attain the popularity of singers or pianists . . . but in the last few years an artist has come to the fore, whose accomplishments have gone far toward changing traditional beliefs. Pablo Casals, the Spanish cellist, is now not only considered the greatest exponent of his instrument, but eminent musicians have pronounced him the greatest of all living interpreters.