Violoncelle

As Printed on a Score

French for cello; the plural Violoncelles labels the section, shortened on later systems (Vcelles). The same spelling turns up in German scores as the plural of Violoncell — Mahler labels his cellos “Violoncelle.” and “Vcelle.” — so the language of the surrounding labels tells you which word you are reading; the instrument is the same either way.

Abbreviations: Vcelle., Vcelles.

Also spelled: Violoncelles

How Composers Use It

Bass clef at sounding pitch, tenor clef above that, treble clef for the top. French parts carry their directions in French — sur la touche, sourdine, au talon, divisés — and the section is often divided for rich low harmony or given a long cantabile line on the A string. Write clef changes deliberately: tenor clef reads more easily than ledger lines above the bass clef.

Example

Ravel, Boléro, full score: the cello section’s staff is labelled “VIOLONCELLES”, the French plural, in the score’s capitals.

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