The violoncello and theorbo have a natural affinity for each other, both in terms of range and volume of sound. The combination is especially felicitous in the Italian repertoire of the middle-to-late Baroque period, in the works of Domenico Gabrielli, Benedetto Marcello, Antonio Caldara, and Giovanni Battista Bononcini and their contemporaries. For this repertoire, Mr Scheck uses a Baroque ‘cello.
There is also a small but engaging repertoire for the combination of ‘cello and guitar, both original works and arrangements. Original works include the Three Nocturnes by Friedrich Burgmüller; arrangements include Bernhard Romberg’s Divertimento, Opus 46 (originally for ‘cello accompanied by string quartet) and Bachianas Brasileiras No 5 (originally for voice accompanied by eight ‘celli).
Raffael Scheck and Timothy Burris formed the ensemble ScheckMate to explore and promote these repertoires and the opportunities they offer for melodic invention.
Raffael Scheck (‘cello) was born in Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany). He is Katz Distinguished Teaching Professor of modern European history at Colby College, where he has taught since 1994. Before becoming a historian, he studied cello for several semesters with Claude Starck at the conservatory of Zürich. He has more recently specialized in baroque cello and performed with a variety of baroque groups in Maine, including the Colby Collegium and Music’s Quill.
Timothy Burris (theorbo and lute) has performed widely in Europe and the US, including many appearances with world-renowned early music specialists. The most recent of his nine CD recordings includes his transcription for baroque lute of Bach’s work of that name. A Fulbright alumnus, Mr Burris is a graduate of The Hague’s Royal Conservatory and holds a Ph.D. from Duke University. He was lute instructor at the Royal Flemish Conservatory of Music in Antwerp from 1990-96, and is currently on the faculties of the Portland Conservatory of Music and Colby College.
Mr Burris is the founder and artistic director of the Portland Conservatory Early Music Festival, which in 2017 celebrated its 6th year.