The Cello

Last week's Music Track featured Jacqueline Du Pre playing the cello.  It's a mournful instrument and also one that can be most effective.  It's hard to imagine a jocular piece of music played on it.

However, Sir Thomas Beecham the renowned 1950's and 1960's symphonic conductor and known for his irascibility, did once make a memorable remark to a lady cellist who was making a bit of a fist of a particular piece.  "Madam, you have between your legs, something that can give pleasure to thousands.  Don't just sit there and scratch it!"