Cellist plays one piece of Bach on 20 historic cellos – and the contrast is fascinating

15 November 2017, 21:15 | Updated: 15 November 2017, 21:25

When you pay a visit to one of London’s premier instrument dealers, and play almost two dozen of his finest instruments (all in under two minutes)...

We all know the overwhelming beauty you can find in the tone of a historic cello – but what about those more subtle nuances that make individual instruments different from each other?

Stringed instruments were made by luthiers all over Europe, each using different materials and techniques. Their creations are wonderfully varied in sound colour and characteristics – and we’ve found a video that perfectly illustrates it all.

Margarita Balanas is a postgraduate student from Royal Academy of Music, who popped over to London cello seller Tom Woods Cellos’ store to perform the famous Bourée from JS Bach’s Cello Suite No. 3 on 20 different instruments. Her performances were edited into one video by Roberts Balanas.

And after you’ve enjoyed Margarita’s Bach, here’s some dramatic and beautiful Ceasar Franck (this time just on the one cello). You can also find out more on her website.