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Focus
Exploring the secrets of Stradivari's workshop
The workshop where Stradivari made the instruments of his golden period was demolished in 1938. Andrew Dipper uncovers the clues that give an insight into the great master's working environment
Current issue
January
Lisa Batiashvili: The Georgian violinist steps outside her comfort zone to take on new artistic challenges.
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Editor's pick
Article
Urtext editions - friend or foe?
Are urtext editions the only legitimate way to access the composer’s musical intentions? Do edited editions inevitably distort the authentic creative voice?
Premium ❘ FocusTrade secrets: a method for cooking oil varnish by Nicolas Gilles
A technique that relies on the senses and helps you get the right varnish for your needs, by Nicolas Gilles, luthier in Villeneuvette, France
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Sartory and the fake bows: Phoney war
One of France’s greatest bow makers,Eugène Sartory sued an unscrupulous American dealer who flooded the market with fake bows. Using the original court transcripts and contemporary news reports, Gennady Filimonov uncovers how the Frenchman sought justice
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Jacques-Pierre Thibout: violins fit for a king
One of the key Parisian luthiers of the early 19th century, Jacques-Pierre Thibout had a distinctive – and often innovative – making style. Florent and Serge Boyer examine ten of his violins to track its evolution, and show why he became luthier to King Louis-Philippe
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Top lots from the October London stringed instrument auctions
Old Italians and a modern bow proved popular at this autumn’s auctions, as Kevin MacDonald reports
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Trade secrets: An innovative method of neck setting
Gluing the neck to the ribs before the top and back plates allows for a more accurate and hassle-free process. By Hayato Nagaishi, luthier based in Cremona, Italy, and Tokyo, Japan
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Opinion: going international
Despite the large number of young and talented British string players, few seem to make an impact as leading soloists on the world stage. Charlotte Gardner explores the reasons for this phenomenon
Premium ❘ Article
Masterclass: Ravel’s second violin sonata
Philippe Graffin explores how to create an orchestra of abstract colours and characters in the first movement of the French composer’s last chamber work
Article
New Products: January 2020
Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin double bass rosin; Optima Gut Klang violin strings set; International Violoin flexible LED strip
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Video
Augustin Hadelich plays Ysaÿe
Augustin Hadelich plays Eugène Ysaÿe’s Sonata for solo violin No. 4 in E minor, dedicated to Fritz Kreisler. This performance was filmed live in concert in Grünwald, Germany, on December 11 2018.
Augustin Hadelich plays Ysaÿe
We Are NY Phil: Associate Principal Viola Rebecca Young
New string quartet charts Apollo 11 mission to the moon
Benedetti Foundation Orchestra play ‘Intermezzo’ from Cavalleria Rusticana
Silkroad Ensemble performs Kinan Azmeh’s ‘Wedding’ at Tanglewood
Rachel Barton Pine and her daughter share two pieces from ‘Music by Black Composers’
TwoSetViolin: The Twelve Levels of Violin Playing
Kyung Wha Chung plays Dvořák’s Romance for Violin and Orchestra
Jupiter String Quartet plays Debussy’s String Quartet
Christian Tetzlaff and friends from the Berlin Philharmonic play Schubert’s Octet
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- Review
Tamsin Waley-Cohen: CPE Bach: Complete Works for Violin and Keyboard
Deft and mellow-toned readings of late Baroque duos by Bach junior
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James Ehnes: Vaughan Williams
The Strad Issue: January 2020Description: Beautifully shaped string playing is the hallmark of this new instalmentMusicians: James Ehnes (violin) Thelma Handy (violin) Kate Richardson (violin) Alex Mitchell (viola) Jonathan Aasgaard (cello) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew ManzeWorks: Vaughan Williams: Serenade to Music (orchestral version); Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus; The ...
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Mischa Maisky, Lily Maisky: 20th-Century Classics
A father–daughter combination achieves some almost miraculous musical moments
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Marina Thibeault: Elles
Three centuries of lovely and effective music seen through the female gaze
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