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Ragnhild Hemsing performs a wintry tune on the Hardanger fiddle
Showcasing Norwegian folk traditions, ’Vetrahalling’ features on Hemsing’s upcoming winter-themed album
Premiere: Joseph Phibbs on his new string quintet
Ahead of the Wigmore Hall’s two Portrait concerts on Saturday 7 October, Joseph Phibbs writes about his new String Quintet for the Piatti Quartet and cellist Tim Lowe, as well as taking inspiration from Schubert
Opinion: Flexibility in orchestral playing
Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that an orchestra’s greatest asset is not power or accuracy; rather the ability to adapt seamlessly to every style of music and manner of conductor
Playing Hub
‘Music is a powerful tool for education and awareness’: violinist Rebekah Reid
The violinist shares how using a combination of acoustics, improvisation and electronics to the themes of synchronicity and cycles provided her with the tools to create music for the podcast 28ish Days Later, helping break taboos surrounding discussions of the female menstrual cycle
Do string students really need to learn note names? Teacher’s notes with Philippa Bunting
Learning the names of notes can be one of the first stumbling blocks for beginner pupils. But it doesn’t have to be
‘As though we’d been playing together for years’ - Double Acts: Emmanuelle Bertrand and Pascal Amoyel
French cellist Emmanuelle Bertrand and her duo partner and compatriot, pianist Pascal Amoyel, on why they are each other’s ‘musical barometer’.
‘His violin still sings in my ears’ - From the Archive: October 1893
The Strad selects some highlights from the memoirs of violinist Charles Dancla (1817–1907), recently published in Paris
‘Intimidating, terrifying, brutal’: the Smith Quartet on conquering Beethoven’s notoriously difficult Grosse Fuge
Current and former members of the Smith Quartet speak about their experiences of Beethoven’s massive opus, including its many challenges and highlights
‘Learning to trust yourself is a never-ending process’ - Nils Mönkemeyer’s life lessons
The German violist on finding his confidence and the journey of becoming a soloist
Premium ❘ Feature
Making Matters: Making transitional bows
In 2021 bow maker Markus Laine was commissioned to make 15 transitional bows to be used by a single chamber orchestra. What were the challenges – and what change did it make to the sound?
Premium ❘ Feature
‘His violin still sings in my ears’ - From the Archive: October 1893
The Strad selects some highlights from the memoirs of violinist Charles Dancla (1817–1907), recently published in Paris
Premium ❘ Feature
Making Matters: Making transitional bows
In 2021 bow maker Markus Laine was commissioned to make 15 transitional bows to be used by a single chamber orchestra. What were the challenges – and what change did it make to the sound?
Premium ❘ Focus
‘Learning to trust yourself is a never-ending process’ - Nils Mönkemeyer’s life lessons
The German violist on finding his confidence and the journey of becoming a soloist
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Germany: Kissinger Sommer festival
A stay in northern Bavaria’s spa town of Bad Kissingen for the Kissinger Sommer festival proved to be a balm for the soul for Laurence Vittes
Competitions
No first prize awarded at 2023 Oskar Nedbal Viola Competition
The prize winners received cash, plus products from GEWA and Pirastro
Winners announced at 2023 Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition
Playing trios by Schubert, three piano trios competed for the top prize of €15,000 and future concert engagements
Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition announces finalists for its 2023 edition
Three piano trios will compete for the top prize of €15,000 and future concert engagements in the finals on 30 September
![[1] Luiz Fernando Venturelli pc © Todd Rosenberg](https://dnan0fzjxntrj.cloudfront.net/Pictures/460x307/3/9/6/31396_1luizfernandoventurellipctoddrosenberg_216891.jpg)
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: October 2023
This month’s competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Elena Kats-Chernin on her new double concerto
The Sarenka Concerto is in memory of an extraordinary woman
Masterclass: Hoffmeister’s Violone Concerto no.1 in E flat major
Double bassist Edicson Ruiz provides help on Hoffmeister’s concerto with Viennese tuning
Masterclass: Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto, first movement
Double bass soloist Leon Bosch uncovers the challenges and opportunities of this emotionally powerful piece
Masterclass: Hoffmeister’s Violone Concerto no.1 in E flat major
Double bassist Edicson Ruiz provides help on Hoffmeister’s concerto with Viennese tuning
Masterclass: Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto, first movement
Double bass soloist Leon Bosch uncovers the challenges and opportunities of this emotionally powerful piece
Masterclass: Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no.2 in G minor op.63
Violinist James Ehnes provides his insight into tackling the tricky technical demands of this lyrical masterpiece
The Strad Podcast #96: Christian Tetzlaff on Bartók Violin Concerto no.2
The violinist shares his personal experience and thoughts on the work
The Strad Podcast #95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger
Rachel speaks about the tools of her trade in this episode of the ‘Podgecast’
The Strad Podcast #94: a theatrical Verklärte Nacht with cellist Matthew Barley
The cellist speaks about creating a theatrical experience with a multitude of access points for new and existing audiences to Schoenberg’s piece and other related works
The Strad Podcast #93: creative storytelling with cellist Alexander Hersh
The star of ‘Absinthe’ shares how narrative and multiple access points can benefit classical music in reaching new audiences
The Strad Podcast #96: Christian Tetzlaff on Bartók Violin Concerto no.2
The violinist shares his personal experience and thoughts on the work
The Strad Podcast #95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger
Rachel speaks about the tools of her trade in this episode of the ‘Podgecast’
The Strad Podcast #94: a theatrical Verklärte Nacht with cellist Matthew Barley
The cellist speaks about creating a theatrical experience with a multitude of access points for new and existing audiences to Schoenberg’s piece and other related works
Competitons
No first prize awarded at 2023 Oskar Nedbal Viola Competition
The prize winners received cash, plus products from GEWA and Pirastro
Winners announced at 2023 Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition
Playing trios by Schubert, three piano trios competed for the top prize of €15,000 and future concert engagements
Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition announces finalists for its 2023 edition
Three piano trios will compete for the top prize of €15,000 and future concert engagements in the finals on 30 September
Ragnhild Hemsing performs a wintry tune on the Hardanger fiddle
Showcasing Norwegian folk traditions, ’Vetrahalling’ features on Hemsing’s upcoming winter-themed album
Ragnhild Hemsing performs a wintry tune on the Hardanger fiddle
Arcangelo performs Telemann in Christopher Wren’s library
Yo-Yo Ma performs Bach in the Great Smoky Mountains
La Vaghezza performs work by forgotten composer Salomone Rossi
A prize-winning Tzigane from violinist Matthew Hakkarainen
Academy of Ancient Music celebrates 50th anniversary
Baroque ensemble Camerata Øresund performs music by Campra
The Ssens Trio celebrates its tenth anniversary with Goldberg Variations video project
New video: Movement & Location by Sybarite5
Harp harmonics: Jacob Warren plays the double bass like a harp
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The Strad Calendar 2024: 1676 ‘Conte Vitale’ Andrea Guarneri viola
The ‘Conte Vitale’ is one of only two instruments in the collection to have retained its original neck
Making Matters: Making transitional bows
In 2021 bow maker Markus Laine was commissioned to make 15 transitional bows to be used by a single chamber orchestra. What were the challenges – and what change did it make to the sound?
The Strad Calendar 2024: 1715 ‘Baron Knoop’ Antonio Stradivari violin
The favourite instrument of collector David L. Fulton, for whom its tone is ’silvery with lots of “sizzle”’
In Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
The Strad Calendar 2024: 1698 ‘Shapiro’ Pietro Guarneri of Mantua violin
The first fine instrument ever bought by collector David L. Fulton is a genuine rarity
Trade Secrets: Making a mould and templates from a poster
A quick, efficient and accurate way of cutting durable templates using one of The Strad’s publications
The Strad Calendar 2024: 1676 ‘Conte Vitale’ Andrea Guarneri viola
The ‘Conte Vitale’ is one of only two instruments in the collection to have retained its original neck
Making Matters: Making transitional bows
In 2021 bow maker Markus Laine was commissioned to make 15 transitional bows to be used by a single chamber orchestra. What were the challenges – and what change did it make to the sound?
The Strad Calendar 2024: 1715 ‘Baron Knoop’ Antonio Stradivari violin
The favourite instrument of collector David L. Fulton, for whom its tone is ’silvery with lots of “sizzle”’
In Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
The Strad Calendar 2024: 1698 ‘Shapiro’ Pietro Guarneri of Mantua violin
The first fine instrument ever bought by collector David L. Fulton is a genuine rarity
Trade Secrets: Making a mould and templates from a poster
A quick, efficient and accurate way of cutting durable templates using one of The Strad’s publications
Concert review: Gil Shaham (violin) National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America/Andrew Davis
Bruce Hodges witnesses the performance of Barber, Berlioz, Scott Wheeler and Valerie Coleman at New York’s Carnegie Hall on 14 July 2023
Concert review: Jennifer Koh (violin) NYO2/Joseph Young
Bruce Hodges reviews the concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall on 15 July 2023, comprising Sibelius, Bernstein, Prokofiev, Carlos Simon and Antonio Abreu
Concert review: Peter Winograd, Janet Ying (violins) Rebecca Albers, Phillip Ying, Dimitri Murrath (violas) Steven Doane (cello) Pei-Shan Lee (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth watches a live stream from the Bowdoin International Music Festival on 5 July 2023
Paul V. Miller: The Undiscovered Viola d’Amore
Newly discovered manuscripts prompt virtuoso performances
Randall Goosby: Bruch, Price
Last month’s cover star impresses in an innovative pairing
Cellist Amalie Stalheim: Debussy, Poulenc, Stravinsky
Performances of great immediacy, captured by a first-rate recording
Review: ABRSM Violin Exam Pieces from 2024
Alex Laing reviews the Associated Board’s new violin examination works, from Grades 1 to 8
Review: ABRSM Cello Exam Pieces from 2024
Janet Banks reviews the new syllabus for the Associated Board’s cello exams, from Grades 1 to 5
Book review: Chaconne Handbook I–II
Robin Stowell reviews Márta Ábrahám’s treatise on the famed Chaconne, another in her series of discussions of Bach masterpieces
Debate
Opinion: Flexibility in orchestral playing
Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that an orchestra’s greatest asset is not power or accuracy; rather the ability to adapt seamlessly to every style of music and manner of conductor
Opinion: The importance (and difficulty) of playing softly
As string players, we are often encouraged to make a big sound, but cellist Davina Shum believes that the art of playing quietly is an underrated one
Debate
Opinion: Flexibility in orchestral playing
Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that an orchestra’s greatest asset is not power or accuracy; rather the ability to adapt seamlessly to every style of music and manner of conductor
Opinion: The importance (and difficulty) of playing softly
As string players, we are often encouraged to make a big sound, but cellist Davina Shum believes that the art of playing quietly is an underrated one
Accessories
Products October 2023: Kun Seven shoulder rest
A shoulder rest made for maximum customisation
Products October 2023: StopLossBags
The bags hold a variety of liquids for violin making
Products October 2023: BAM Sky cello case
The case is the company’s lightest for cello
Concert review: Gil Shaham (violin) National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America/Andrew Davis
Bruce Hodges witnesses the performance of Barber, Berlioz, Scott Wheeler and Valerie Coleman at New York’s Carnegie Hall on 14 July 2023
Concert review: Jennifer Koh (violin) NYO2/Joseph Young
Bruce Hodges reviews the concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall on 15 July 2023, comprising Sibelius, Bernstein, Prokofiev, Carlos Simon and Antonio Abreu
Concert review: Peter Winograd, Janet Ying (violins) Rebecca Albers, Phillip Ying, Dimitri Murrath (violas) Steven Doane (cello) Pei-Shan Lee (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth watches a live stream from the Bowdoin International Music Festival on 5 July 2023
Review: ABRSM Violin Exam Pieces from 2024
Alex Laing reviews the Associated Board’s new violin examination works, from Grades 1 to 8
Review: ABRSM Cello Exam Pieces from 2024
Janet Banks reviews the new syllabus for the Associated Board’s cello exams, from Grades 1 to 5
Book review: Chaconne Handbook I–II
Robin Stowell reviews Márta Ábrahám’s treatise on the famed Chaconne, another in her series of discussions of Bach masterpieces
Paul V. Miller: The Undiscovered Viola d’Amore
Newly discovered manuscripts prompt virtuoso performances
Randall Goosby: Bruch, Price
Last month’s cover star impresses in an innovative pairing
Cellist Amalie Stalheim: Debussy, Poulenc, Stravinsky
Performances of great immediacy, captured by a first-rate recording
Artists
Yo-Yo Ma performs Bach in the Great Smoky Mountains
The cellist performs Bach’s Cello Suite no.1 outdoors in nature, marking 40 years since his first recording of the Bach Cello Suites
The Strad Podcast #96: Christian Tetzlaff on Bartók Violin Concerto no.2
The violinist shares his personal experience and thoughts on the work
‘A partnership between the violinist and the orchestra’ - Nathan Meltzer on the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Ahead of a performance with the Orpheus Sinfonia on Thursday 14 September, the violinist shares his memories and thoughts on the monumental concerto
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