Cello

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A cello has no language, yet it possesses a vocabulary wide enough to tell, bear witness, and make connections across time and continents, vividly illustrated in this brilliant new work. Kate Kennedy, a writer and cellist, intertwines the stories of four cellists who faced persecution, injury, and misfortune. Among them is the forgotten Jewish cellist Pal Hermann, likely murdered by the Nazis in Lithuania during the Holocaust. Lise Cristiani, considered the first female professional cello soloist, embarked on an epic concert tour of Siberia in the 1850s with her Stradivarius, now displayed in a museum in Cremona, Italy. Anita Lasker-Wallfisch played in the orchestra at Auschwitz and survived both that camp and Bergen-Belsen. Amedeo Baldovino of the Trieste piano trio lost his 'Mara' Stradivarius in a shipwreck but later recovered and repaired it. Interwoven with these poignant stories are 'detours' that provide a broader context, exploring the themes from various perspectives. This unique narrative combines historical research, personal experiences, and encounters with contemporary cellists, creating a resonant exploration of the cello's profound impact that lingers long after the final page.