Of all instruments science and emotion has shown the resonance of the cello to be the most similar to the resonance and range of the human voice. In the video above Yo-Yo Ma uses his voice.
Ashland’s Lithia Park is an excellent spot to spend an afternoon. The park follows Lithia Creek along four miles of its course through a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees, granite boulders, natural foliage as well as a Japanese Garden, a rose garden, duck ponds, waterfalls, playgrounds, and plenty of spots to find a shady swath of grass to look up into the green canopy backlit by Southern Oregon sunshine.
During the summer the park attracts locals, tourists, and the many nomads and wanderers. It’s common to hear various instruments being played. Last week I was drawn in to the sound of a man who was playing the cello under the shade of a large oak. He had an impromptu audience and his playing was a mix of classical, modern, and improv. It felt as though his playing was inspired by the people, environment around him. A small child, perhaps three or four years old, was walking down the path with his mom, he walked toward the cellist like a tractor beam was sucking him in, small plastic dumptruck in his left hand. Eight feet away from the cello the child stopped walking and stood, mouth open, completely still, eyes glued to the cellist’s hands and instrument. He stood this way for an honest five minutes, the cello, the music, was saying something to him.
One of my favorite portraits from the Park. I wonder what the cello's vibrations sound like to him/her?
