The Evolution of Portamento in Cello Playing Since the First Recordings

Mathias Pearson

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The Evolution of Portamento in Cello Playing Since the First Recordings (2025)

Mathias Pearson

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This research investigates the historical evolution of portamento, or expressive shifting, in cello performance by comparing early 20th-century recordings with contemporary interpretations. The subject was inspired by the striking interpretation observed in Beatrice Harrison's 1920 recording of Elgar's Cello Concerto, where portamento was employed with frequency and expressiveness unlike the recordings I had heard before. The methodology involves analyzing historical recordings of "The Swan" from Saint-Saëns' Le Carnaval des Animaux, annotating portamento occurrences in scores, and comparing them with modern performances. Recordings by cellists such as Kronold, Schwiller, Hollman, and Casals were examined alongside contemporary cellists like Yo-Yo Ma and Johannes Moser. The analysis shows patterns in portamento frequency, variation and use of expressive tools across different periods. The findings suggest a significant decline in the use and variety of portamento in modern cello playing, and shifts in aesthetic preferences as advancements in recording technology are made. Early 20th century cellists employed portamento not just not only where it is convenient, but as an integral expressive tool alongside vibrato and timing, mirroring the approach of vocalists at the time. After exploring portamento in my own practice, I can conclude that the notion of consciously experimenting with portamento can enhance interpretative variety and expressiveness, leading to a more deeply personal voice. This study encourages cellists to explore portamento as a legitimate expressive tool in modern cello performance to enrich musical expression.

type	research exposition
keywords	19th century, Cello, portamento, historical recordings, 20th century, interpretation, expression
date	20/11/2023
published	14/07/2025
last modified	14/07/2025
status	limited publication
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	All rights reserved
language	English
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/2388817/2388818
published in	KC Research Portal
portal issue	3. Internal publication

Copyrights

name	_JOV6363 (1)
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Grutzmachler 1
copyright	Public domain
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Grutzmacher 2 1
copyright	Public Domain
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Grutzmacher 3 shu 3rd mvnt
copyright	Pubic Domain
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Same finger shift
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Higher lower
copyright	Mathias Schwaigher Pearson
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Anticipated
copyright	Mathias Schwaigher Pearson
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	low high
copyright	Mathias Schwaigher Pearson
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	No portamento
copyright	Mathias Schwaigher Pearson
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Kronold
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Schwiller
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Hollman
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Damois
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Yo Yo Ma
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Casals
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Moser
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Schwabe
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Kliegel
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Kronold - The Swan
copyright	Edison Gold Moulded Record
license	Public domain
usages	audio

name	LE CYGNE (The Swan) - Jean Schwiller - C. SAINT-SAËNS
copyright	Columbia Phonograph Company
license	Public domain
usages	audio

name	Le Cygne (The Swan) - Josef Hollman - Saint
copyright	Victor Talking Machine CO.
license	Public domain
usages	audio

name	Le Cygne (The Swan) - Maurice Damois - Saint-Saens
copyright	Aeolian Vocalion
license	Public domain
usages	audio

name	THE SWAN (Le Cynge) - PABLO CASALS - Saint
copyright	Columbia Gramaphone Company
license	Public domain
usages	audio

name	Schiff
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

name	Swan Kronold imitation
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Kronold Edition
copyright	Mathias Schwaiger Pearson
license	Public domain
usages	picture

comments: 1 (last entry by Anna Scott - 03/03/2025 at 16:05)

Anna Scott 03/03/2025 at 16:05

Approved by supervisor 3 March 2025

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The Evolution of Portamento in Cello Playing Since the First Recordings (2025)

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