On the cohomology of rank two vector bundles on P2 and a theorem of Chiantini and Valabrega

We show that a normalized rank two vector bundle, E, on P2 splits if and only if h1(E(-1)) = 0. Using this fact we give another proof of a theorem of Chiantini and Valabrega. Finally we describe the normalized bundles with h1(E(-1)) <= 4.