The Handel-Halvorsen YouTube Phenomenon

If you haven't already seen this making its way around the world wide web, you should definitely check it out. This is cellist Wells Cunningham playing the Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia with none other than himself, performing the violin part as well.



I must say, this cellist gets around the violin better than plenty of violinists I've known!

Of course, there's a long tradition of musicians getting a kick out of switching instruments; this phenomenon starts in youth symphonies when kids trade instruments around during rehearsal breaks, and continues into adulthood, as evidenced by these great artists clowning around backstage in this clip from the film Remembering Jacqueline du Pre: