JOHN CATCHINGS' pride and joy shows that the cello need not be a second-fiddle. Drew Kelleher explains why...

John Catchings

The cello, that instrument you have to sit strangely to play, has been confined to theatres and chambers where its cousins, the violin and double bass, have been out meeting the people. "When I get behind the cello, the one thing I want to say to those listening is 'love God with all your heart'."

And say it John Catchings does on his new release "Joy In The Journey", the cellist's long-desired statement about his faith.

His collection is a rather soothing arrangement of hymns and sacred songs. Somewhat ironically the title track is the only non-hymn on the album, although it is fellow artist, Michael Card's, most popular song, and the song they like most to perform together.

Catchings sees "Joy In The Journey" as a tribute to the friend with whom he has played for the past eight years. When he heard of Card he wasn't interested in touring with a Christian artist but, on talking with Michael, something in Card's voice changed his mind.

Through touring with Card, Catchings came to the attention of a very large audience - as well as Sparrow records. Following public demand for a recording Sparrow decided to allow the cellist to step forward and showcase his gifts.

"The record has been like a dream come true. I put mostly hymns on the album," he says, "because the words and melodies have always meant so much to me."

Included on the record are tunes to some of the greatest hymns ever written including "Sweet Hour of Prayer", "It is Well With My Soul", "Holy, Holy, Holy", "Blessed Assurance", and "O Sacred Head".

In the smooth lines and proportionate dimensions of John's aural sculptures he shows his instrument's great capacity for spiritual expression.

Yet he wants the cello to speak in contemporary terms and not be consigned to symphonic or classical genres simply because of tradition.

He feels that the poor relation of the violin and the double bass (both of which are seen in the hands of popular musicians) has been undersold when it should be brought out into the light in all its shining glory.

He decided to begin playing the cello at the age of 10 when he heard the name of the instrument mentioned. "I didn't even really know what it was," recalls Catchings. Practising hard and learning to use his musical gifts, he excelled with his chosen instrument all through his public school years.

After his schooling Catchings attended Peabody Conservatory with a scholarship from the Ford Foundation. There he received an award for a prominent television performance, which was broadcast live.

Upon completion of his bachelor's degree at Peabody in 1969 Catchings was awarded the prestigious Alumni Award as the outstanding musical student in the graduating class.

At the end of three years in Washington DC's US Army Band (a result of his post-college drafting) Catchings tried to lay down his cello. "I tried to walk away from music, but I couldn't," he said. Fortunately for connoisseurs of finely rendered cello music he couldn't because in 1976 he accepted an offer, to play principal cello in the Nashville Symphony.