Project R&C

The ensemble Project R&C has made it their mission to research and practically revive the continuo practice that was widespread in the 17th and 18th centuries, with the cello as the only continuo instrument. This historical practice is clearly evident in the instrumentation indications of numerous chamber music compositions since the end of the 17th century, where, as in Corelli's violin sonatas op. 5, it is stated "... per violino e violone ó cimbalo...". This continuo performance still receives little attention in today's performance practice, in which the harpsichord is usually used as the continuo instrument. The fact that the exclusive use of the cello as an accompanying instrument was by no means only an embarrassment solution, but was expressly desired, is attested to by numerous contemporary documents. Giuseppe Tartini, for example, wrote about his "piccole Sonate" that they should only be accompanied by a cello. He himself was accompanied on his concert tours by the cellist Antonio Vandini, and we also know of the cellist G. The fact that today's early music practice hardly takes this up is mainly due to the fact that there are only a few sources that give hints on continuo performance on the cello, i.e. harmonic accompaniment with double stops and chords. The purpose of Project R&C is to revive this practice and to explore the delightful tonal possibilities that arise, especially from the intimate instrumentation of recorder and baroque cello. The chamber music of the 17th and 18th centuries can thus be experienced in a completely new sonority.