Well, it's actually my dream. I dream of making an instrument for a cathedral. A small “Handbassel”, or Violoncello da Spalla, that hangs there on the musicians' balconade, next to the organ, ready for anyone who wants to accompany at the bass. Just as it happened to the small five strings Wagner for many years, as its wear signs tell us.
Besides the Wagner, there are other original instruments to draw inspiration from, like the Hammig from 1747 or the Goldberg, father of J. S. Bach’s friend. Truly remarkable handbassel! Their wear signs are speaking even more clearly than those of the Wagner, for sure those they were played only in da spalla position.
We have seen and studied them, and we are able to offer replicas of them.
The faces of our customers around the world sparkle with enthusiasm and love for music. Let’s spread the word together!
Do you have any ideas on how to help us achieve this dream? Write to us or come visit us!
Further readings:
At st. Anne Lübeck museum
Two months ago, we were in Lübeck because we wanted to check again the five strings cello made by Johann Wagner. It is, so far, the only five strings surviving in original conditions. Unfortunately, the St. Anne Museum’s people in charge now have no idea of this or how to preserve and maint…
The Violoncello piccolo by Johann Wagner, Borstendorff
I was told that when I say something about the “Wagner model”, it looks like I want to keep some mystery. The truth is that we know very little about it and Wagner himself. In Lübeck, in the St. Anne museum, they have this little five strings cello, which is almost in original condition. It is not on display, and we went to see it in March 2020.
Discant gamba played da spalla?
When we decided on our trip to Germany last February, two main issues motivated us (apart from having a beautiful holiday in the north). One was seeing the Wagner again and comparing it with the one we made. The other was seeing live the instruments we will focus on in this newsletter and speaking to people to understand what they were.
Repertoire: G. B. degli Antonii - Strings: single wound basses that work - the Wagner’s voice
This issue will not follow the usual format, as this week got so far from any usual format that I feel the urgency to share all the news at once. I cannot keep them for three separate issues! You already got the plan in the title, so let’s go straight to it!
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