Sergey Malov Brings the Rare Violoncello da Spalla to Gelsenkirchen
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Baroque Sound Art with Sergey Malov in the Matthäuskirche
On Sunday, November 15, 2026, the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen invites you to a special concert experience in the Matthäuskirche Gelsenkirchen with the program NPW Barock 1: Da Spalla. At the center is the historical Violoncello da spalla – an unusual string instrument played before the chest, which Johann Sebastian Bach likely used for his cello suites.
An Instrument Between Violin and Cello
The internationally acclaimed violinist Sergey Malov brings this rarely heard instrument to life. The Violoncello da spalla combines the sonorous depth of a cello with the agile playing style of a shoulder instrument. In the acoustics of the Matthäuskirche, this creates a warm, immediate sound that makes baroque lines transparent and physically tangible at the same time.
Malov intensively addresses the playing techniques and stylistic questions of past eras. His musical work includes violin, viola, baroque violin, and Violoncello da spalla. The concert features a work by Johann Adolf Hasse, complemented by compositions from Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Georg Friedrich Händel.
Sergey Malov: Multiple Award-Winning Soloist
Sergey Malov hails from Saint Petersburg and has received awards in significant competitions, including the Paganini Competition in Genoa, the Mozart Competition in Salzburg, the Heifetz Competition in Vilnius, and the Michael Hill Competition in Auckland. As a violist, he also won prizes at the ARD Competition and the Tokyo International Viola Competition. As a soloist, he has collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Academy of Ancient Music Berlin.
Baroque Music with Special Stage Presence
The program combines historical sound colors, virtuosic string technique, and the concentrated atmosphere of a church space. The orchestration of works by Hasse, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and Händel opens a musical dialogue between sensitive expression, contrasting articulation, and baroque elegance. Malov's stage performance not only makes the music visible but also showcases the unique playing style of the Violoncello da spalla.
Conclusion: Experience a Rare Instrument Live
NPW Barock 1: Da Spalla promises an evening for all who want to experience early music, historical performance practice, and extraordinary instruments firsthand. The combination of baroque sound language, virtuosic interpretation, and sacred live atmosphere makes this concert a special event in the Gelsenkirchen cultural calendar.
Doors open about 30 minutes before the concert starts. Those who want to experience the Violoncello da spalla not only from recordings but also in its full spatial impact should mark this concert evening at the Matthäuskirche.
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