All Premium ❘ Feature articles
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Violinist Johan Dalene makes his recording debut
For his debut album as an exclusive BIS artist, Johan Dalene – teenage winner of last year’s Carl Nielsen International Competition – has not shied away from ambitious and much-loved repertoire. He and producer Jens U. Braun recall the recording process
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In Focus: an 1810 violin by Nicolas Lupot
John Dilworth examines an instrument by the French maker
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Trade Secrets: Notes on cello endpin fitting
A guide to veneer bushing and creating an ‘abrasive reamer’ for making adjustments
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Making Matters: The Sound of Science
Tom Croen reports on a 2019 experiment to discover how much variation in sound can be gained from fingerboard ‘tuning’ – and how alternative materials fare against traditional ebony
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Masterclass: Moray Welsh on Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata first movement
Moray Welsh looks at the cello version of the first movement, whose successful execution requires boundless musicality, lyricism and technical finesse
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Technique: A 30-minute routine to keep your playing on top form
Ideas to help violinists and violists maintain high technical and musical standards around a busy regime
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From the Archive: February 1930
In his regular ‘Continental Happenings’ column, the acerbic George Cecil rounds up some of the more unusual string-related news and performances around Europe
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In focus: a 1933 violin by Ansaldo Poggi
Roberto Regazzi examines an instrument by the Italian maker, whose fame and reputation have grown in recent years
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Universal Harmony: the ‘Four Circles’ system of violin making
Luthiers over the past three centuries have used a vast number of patterns for their instruments – but the basic geometric principles remain constant across them all. Kevin Kelly explains his ‘Four Circles’ system for instrument design, adaptable to violins, violas and cellos
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Digital Amati: project luthier
A decade ago, François Denis’s Traité de Lutherie showed how the old Italians used Euclidean geometry to design their instruments. Now a computer program based on these principles allows luthiers to construct and adapt patterns quickly and easily. Its creator, Harry Mairson, explains the genesis of Digital Amati
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Lloyd Swanton on the art of free improvisation
As double bassist of long-running Australian trio the Necks, Lloyd Swanton is an expert in group improvisation. He speaks to Andy Hamilton about his inspirations, maintaining creativity, and making contemporary improvised music accessible
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Smart learning: technology in the classroom
Advances in technology over the past few years have led to an explosion in apps and online platforms designed to aid instrumental teaching and practice. Peter Somerford looks at some of the most useful – but cautions that such tools should never be used to substitute rhythmic and aural skills ...
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Daniel Müller-Schott: souvenir of Russia
Cellist Daniel Müller-Schott reveals how his album of Russian repertoire draws on the inspiration he felt as a participant in the 1992 International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians
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Renzo Bacchetta, a legend in the making
Renzo Bacchetta’s wide-ranging influence on Cremona’s violin making culture and the promotion of Stradivari cannot be overstated, but as Luca Bastiani reveals, there is a darker side to the story, centring around Italy’s National Fascist Party
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Isabelle Faust: clarity and insight
German violinist Isabelle Faust is known for the precision and intelligence of her performances. She talks to Amanda Holloway about how her new album of Mozart sonatas has brought her face to face with the enigma of the composer’s musical language
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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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Making Sense Of The Senseless: Leila Josefowicz on B. A. Zimmermann’s violin concerto
As Leila Josefowicz explains, the unexpected twists and turns of B. A. Zimmermann’s Violin Concerto make it a rollercoaster worth riding. Tom Stewart finds out more
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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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Bruno Philippe: Sky’s the limit
This month, young French cellist Bruno Philippe releases his first album as an official Harmonia Mundi artist. He chats with Charlotte Gardner about the merits of gut strings, old instruments versus new ones, inspirational teachers, his public image – and leaving behind the competition circuit to focus on real life ...
