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- December
- We examine the Venetian double bass and meet genre-defying cellist Abel Selaocoe. There’s a tribute to Bottesini and a look at Jascha Heifetz’s teaching methods. Plus a cello Masterclass on playing Fauré, Elgar and Saint-Saëns.
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Making Menuhin: A Documentary
A new film illustrating the adaptations made by the Menuhin Violin Competition during the pandemic will premiere today at 1pm ET / 6pm GMT
Riot Ensemble announces 2022 Call for Scores
The UK-based contemporary ensemble invites submissions from composers from anywhere in the world in a competition for two commissions, worth £750 and £1500
The Strad Podcast Episode #23: Pablo Ferrández on Classical cello concertos
’When I’m playing these pieces, I imagine big gestures, a lot of gravity that brings you from one impulse to the next’
The Strad Podcast Episode #22: Chad Hoopes on interdisciplinary teaching and learning
The Strad Podcast Episode #21: Leon Bosch on Bottesini
The Strad Podcast Episode #20: Steven Isserlis on consulting musical editions and manuscripts
The Strad Podcast Episode #19: Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason on sibling collaboration
A story’s end: Postcard from Mondsee
Running from 27 August to 6 September, this year’s Musiktage Mondsee was the final edition to be directed by the Auryn Quartet. Laurence Vittes witnessed stylish performances amid stunning Austrian scenery – a fitting farewell to the 40-year-old ensemble
Double bass technique: Back muscles, weight, and flexibility in the right hand
How to get the most out of your body when playing the double bass, by Dan Styffe, principal bassist for the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music
Editor's pick
‘The first maker of what is unambiguously a double bass’
In this extract from the December 2021 issue, Thomas Martin, George Martin and Martin Lawrence examine the beginnings of bass making in Venice
Current online issue
December
‘Violin making thrived in the city, developing its unique identity and style, but it was perhaps when the luthiers turned their hand to making double basses that they were at their most unconstrained’
We examine the Venetian Double Bass with examples from some of the city-state's finest makers.
‘It is to be hoped that 2021 signals a turning point for Bottesini’s music, with performers and audiences enjoying his work and understanding the pivotal role he played in the development of the double bass’
Stephen Street celebrates the bicentenary of Bottesini regarded in his time as 'the Paganini of the double bass'.
''Part of my job is giving people permission to express themselves, to explore what they thought were their limits'
Manchester-based cellist, composer and vocalist Abel Selaocoe on how his South African heritage informs his genre-defying compositions
'The Cremonese spruces exhibited unnatural elemental compositions and oxidation patterns that suggested artificial manipulation' Exploring the wood treatment employed by the Cremonese masters, which may have been based on alchemical principles.
Ayke Agus shares her memories serving as assistant and accompanist to Jascha Heifetz
Historical lutherie methods: Salts of wisdom
Remy Gug examines the treatment of wood described in several manuals of the 16th to 18th centuries, in this article from July 1987
Double Bassist magazine: Matteo Goffriller c.1708 bass
Barrie Kolstein marvels at a magnificent 18th-century instrument by Matteo Goffriller, in this feature from the Autumn 2001 issue of our now-discontinued sister publication, Double Bassist
Hilary Hahn: Born original
Shirley Apthorp interviewed the then 19-year-old violinist Hilary Hahn for The Strad’s November 1999 issue. Here, Hahn shares her love of writing, solo Bach, her educational background and her insights on the great violinists of our time
Amit Peled: Life Lessons
The Israeli–American cellist talks about body awareness and the importance of taking the initiative
Analysis December 2021: Under the spotlight
This month, the future of UK conservatoire education will be discussed at a London conference. How can educators best help their students to become 21st-century musicians? By Peter Somerford
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: December 2021
This month’s competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
December 2021: Welcome
The Strad’s editor Charlotte Smith introduces the December 2021 issue
Soundpost: Letters to the Editor December 2021
A selection of letters The Strad receives each month from its readers around the world: December 2021 issue
Making Menuhin: A Documentary
A new film illustrating the adaptations made by the Menuhin Violin Competition during the pandemic will premiere today at 1pm ET / 6pm GMT
Making Menuhin: A Documentary
Chad Hoopes performs Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Après un Rêve played on Octobass
Bassist Dominik Wagner performs Hauta-aho’s Kadenza
Attacca Quartet perform Philip Glass
Violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley gives Don Juan masterclass
Gary Karr’s 80th birthday video tribute
Violinist Chloe Chua performs Otoño Porteño from The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Masterclass: The Takács Quartet performs Brahms’s String Quartet no.3
Violinist Jinjoo Cho performs Saint-Saëns - ‘Mon Cœur s’ouvre à ta voix’
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Photo gallery: The decorated instruments of ‘Violino d’Autore’
Italian luthier Ezia Di Labio has crafted numerous instruments that have been decorated by various artists
The Strad Calendar 2022: G.B. Guadagnini cello 1750
The Guadagnini cello has intense deep reddish-brown varnish to spare
Alchemy and wood treatment in Cremonese instruments
Wenjie Cai and Hwan-Ching Tai discuss the possible influence of alchemy in Cremonese wood treatment, in this extract from the December 2021 issue
The Strad Calendar 2022: Michele Angelo Bergonzi violin c.1750
Bergonzi used plain maple for the ribs but opted for a beech scroll with widely projected eyes
The Strad Calendar 2022: Gennaro Gagliano cello 1734
The Gagliano scroll is a perfect example of the Neapolitan style
‘The first maker of what is unambiguously a double bass’
In this extract from the December 2021 issue, Thomas Martin, George Martin and Martin Lawrence examine the beginnings of bass making in Venice
Lea Birringer: Transformation
Transformative Bach-inspired collection highlights the architecture of the music
Jakob Kullberg: Remembering
Three Nordic cello concertos offer vocal textures and more light than shade
Augustin Dumay: Mendelssohn
Exquisite Mendelssohn still sounds fresh and joyous in familiar hands
Ébène Quartet, Antoine Tamestit, Nicolas Altstaedt: ’Round Midnight
A varied and imaginative tapestry of night music, sumptuously performed
Parker Quartet, Kim Kashkashian: Kurtág, Dvořák
Works by wildly contrasting composers partnered together are a revelation
Steven Isserlis: British Solo Cello Music
British cellist brings all his character and virtuosity to music from his homeland
Debate
Opinion: Playing the game
In addition to technical mastery, musicians need to understand the ‘game rules’ of every performing tradition and musical culture, write Dudok Quartet Amsterdam musicians Judith van Driel and David Faber
Opinion: Dare to be different
When selecting repertoire for that crucial audition it’s an advantage to avoid predictable choices, writes Julian Lloyd Webber, who suggests alternatives for cellists
Accessories
Products December 2021: Bogaro & Clemente Atl-Trío cases
Cases printed with designs from the Andrés Blaisten Collection of Mexican art
Products December 2021: Clipza video recording app
An app to make it easier to record and replay video during practice
Products December 2021: Paganino Musanus 3D chin rest
A chin rest that can be tailored to players’ individual needs
Artists
Antoine Tamestit on the ‘Mahler’ Stradivari viola
In this extract from the July 2019 issue, the violist describes at first struggling to get on with this magnificent and unusual instrument
Violinist Shlomo Mintz performs Paganini Caprice no.5
Check out this fiery throwback performance of the violinist from 1981
From the Archive: Why do so many musicians have long hair?
Whether as a mark of distinction or genius, the trend is embodied by Eugène Ysaÿe, according to The Strad's June 1897 issue
Education Resources
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