Musical matchmaking : cellist Richard Tunnicliffe talks about his new Yann Besson cello
Richard Tunnicliffe is a professional cellist, known widely for his performances and recordings of the Bach Cello Suites. Richard is professor of historical cello at the Royal College of Music and performs regularly with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) in fact Richard performed at the very first concert performed by the OAE in June 1986.
So, what prompts a performer, well established in their career to seek a new instrument? And how do they go about making a choice?
‘It stood out immediately as combining the qualities I was hoping to find’ says Richard. ‘It has a very powerful sound, very even, not ‘shouty’’. Richard explains that in other cellos that he has tried there has been a good top register and a powerful C string, but a slightly “grey” area in between. The Besson by comparison has a strong even volume and speaks clearly. According to Richard the instrument also has tremendous flexibility and unlike other modern instruments he has tried, has a low response to the bow and feels ‘very relaxed playing Bach’.
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