So, to be honest (I didn't mention this in this introductory episode to my new plan) I had already recorded four chapters of The Violoncello and Its History some time ago. I did it thinking that I will be able to utilize clips from it. A secondary purpose has always been in the back of my mind.  That is, I would like to upload the entire book someday. That day has come. However, it won't be the whole thing in one episode--a 20 hour episode, anyone? I'll break up the book into the respective chapters--still very long episodes--and post those while I am preparing new Forgotten Cello Music pieces. 

This episode gives you the purpose for the reading and uploading as well as the Prefaces: the author's and the translator's. I have also included the first page of the first chapter: Introduction: The History of the Viola da gamba. That should whet your whistle. So once you are finished here continue straight away to Episode 44. That will provide you with 43 pages and around 1 hour 30 minutes of densely packed information all having to do with the time right before the cello made its appearance. 

If you are finding this a bit over the top, too full of mundane detail, be sure to take advantage of that speed dial in your podcast player. Crank it up to 1.25 or 1.50 times faster than normal. It is funny to listen to my voice and you still get the benefit of learning tons of great history. (And don't forget that you are helping my stats out a lot as well.)

For all the people especially keen on knowing how the book is generally laid out, the TOC:

CONTENTS.

Introduction.

HISTORY OF THE VIOLA DA GAMBA (Basso di Viola) 1 THE TRANSITION TO THE VIOLONCELLO 36

The Art of Violoncello Playing in the Eighteenth Century.

I. ITALY 48

II. GERMANY 67

III. FRANCE 87

The Art of Violoncello Playing in the Nineteenth Century.

IV. ITALY 109

V. GERMANY 113

VI. FRANCE, BELGIUM, AND HOLLAND 169

VII. ENGLAND AND SCANDINAVIA 189

VIII. THE SLAV STATES AND HUNGARY 198

CONCLUSION 210

APPENDIX 215

METHODS AND SCHOOLS 217

VIOLA DA GAMBA 217

VIOLONCELLO SCHOOLS FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY UNTIL THE PRESENT TIME

217 LIST OF NAMES AND INDEX 221

Hey, what question would you find compelling to answer? I'll try a trite one in this episode?