Da Spalla or da Gamba? The Early Cello in Northern Italian Repertoire, 1650-95

In the second half of the seventeenth century the violoncello da spalla, a horizontally-played cello held on the shoulder like a violin, was purportedly widely used in Northern Italy. Some recent research proposes that the rubric 'violoncello' in Northern Italian repertoire during the period 1650-95 indicated such a da spalla instrument. Although a vertically-played bass violin was also in use, this instrument was allegedly not labelled 'violoncello' and was only used in a continuo role. My article challenges this and other established theories. Through examination of archival, organological and iconographical evidence, along with a wide variety of musical sources, I aim to provide performers with a clearer picture of what composers and professional cellists meant when using the term 'violoncello'. The late seventeenth century was indeed an era of experimentation: two different cellos were in use, one played da gamba and the other da spalla. However, it appears that the violoncello da spalla was less widespread than previously proposed. Similarly the rubric 'violoncello' mainly referred to a vertically-played bass violin, closely connected to the 8ft violone, which was played by professionals in both concertante and continuo parts.