violoncello
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violoncello
A large string instrument from the violin family that is played while sitting and held between the knees. It is known for its warm, deep sound and is often referred to colloquially as a cello.
Sie spielt seit fünf Jahren Violoncello im Orchester.
She has been playing the violoncello in the orchestra for five years.
'Violoncello' is the full, formal name of the instrument. It is used mainly in written, technical, or very official contexts such as concert programs or academic texts.
Im Konzertprogramm stand: Sonate für Klavier und Violoncello.
The concert program said: Sonata for piano and violoncello.
The word comes from Italian. The part 'Violon-' comes from 'Violone' (a large viola), and '-cello' is a diminutive form. So it literally means 'little violone'.
Die Geschichte des Violoncellos ist eng mit der italienischen Musiktradition des Barock verbunden.
The history of the violoncello is closely connected with the Italian musical tradition of the Baroque period.
The most common verb used with the instrument is 'spielen' (to play). You say 'Violoncello spielen' (to play the violoncello).
Schon als Kind wollte sie lernen, Violoncello zu spielen.
Even as a child, she wanted to learn to play the violoncello.
violin
'die Geige' and 'das Violoncello' are both string instruments and are played with a bow. For that reason, they can easily be confused, especially when talking about classical music. The most important difference is their size and pitch: the violin is small, is held at the shoulder, and tends to have a high sound. The violoncello is much larger, is held between the knees while sitting, and sounds deeper and warmer. In everyday language, people often also say 'Cello' for 'Violoncello'.
Im Konzert saß der Musiker mit dem Violoncello vorne neben dem Klavier.
At the concert, the musician with the violoncello sat at the front next to the piano.
Seit einem Jahr lernt meine Tochter Geige und übt jeden Abend zehn Minuten.
My daughter has been learning violin for a year and practices for ten minutes every evening.