Veiled Resonance

• Solo violoncello played with a mute
• Natural flow of captivating performances
• Vast arsenal of expressive articulations
• Captured on Stage A of Vienna Synchron Stage
• 11 Microphone positions
• Several positions on stage (center, solo, 1st chair)

Placing a mute on the bridge of a cello transforms its character entirely. The dark, resonant body of sound takes on a hushed, slightly nasal quality – warm and grainy, soft-edged and full of quiet detail. Playing with the mute calls for a different touch and phrasing, and the result is unmistakable: more shadow than spotlight, more intimacy than projection. Synchron Solo Cello (sordino) captures this distinct voice in extraordinary detail, performed by acclaimed soloist Florian Eggner, first chair cellist of the Vienna Synchron Orchestra, in the large hall of Vienna Synchron Stage.

The Same Virtuoso, a Different Shade

Synchron Solo Cello (sordino) once again features Florian Eggner, whose interpretive depth has shaped the original Synchron Solo Cello as well as countless concert and media productions worldwide. Since founding the Grammy-nominated Eggner Trio in 1997 with his brothers Georg and Christoph, he has performed in some of the world's most celebrated venues, from the Vienna Musikverein to Carnegie Hall. With the mute in place, his playing reveals a different side of the instrument – more introspective, less declarative, but every bit as expressive. Subtle bow pressure, fingertip nuance, and the gentle hum of the muted strings come to the foreground, inviting listeners to lean in rather than lean back.

A Complete Muted Palette

The sampling sessions mirrored the comprehensive scope of the original Synchron Solo Cello, with every note captured with the mute in place. Short notes include various spiccatos, staccatos, détachés, ricochet, and saltando. Long notes come with different attacks, releases, and slides. Legato variants include normal, agile, slurred, portamento, and zigane. Sforzatos, tremolos, trills, harmonics, and pizzicatos complete the palette. The Crossfade Editor in the Synchron Player allows for seamless blending between articulations, giving composers the same precision and musical control as in the original collection – only this time, wrapped in a more intimate glow.

Microphone Setup

• Room Mic (Mix)
• Tube - Close 1
  
• Mid 1 (L/R)
  
• Main/Room Mic – Decca Tree Stereo (L/R)
• Main/Room Mic – Decca Tree Mono (Center)