All Premium ❘ Feature articles
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Trade Secrets: Removing the mould after gluing the linings
A simple procedure that imitates the methods of the old Cremonese makers
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Making Matters: New angles on an old problem
David Burgess explains how he made a simple device for raising and lowering the tailpiece, to compare the differences in sound when adjusting the string angle and downforce on the bridge
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Masterclass: Hagai Shaham on Brahms Violin Sonata no.3
In his explorations of the first movement, the Israeli violinst discusses the German composer’s clear performance instructions, intimate Romantic style and self-critical nature
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Technique: Playing with expression
Ideas to help you experiment, and to find new sounds and means of expression on your instrument
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From the Archive: November 1940
One year into the Second World War, The Strad laments the limited prospects for British musicians, despite the indisputable need for music in such troubled times
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Session Report: American dreams
On his latest album, German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann devotes himself to the works of Bohuslav Martinů and Béla Bartók, two immigrants to the US in the wake of the Second World War, as Tom Stewart reports
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Hollywood Bow Makers: Unsung heroes of the silver screen
Lasting from the late 1920s to 1960, Hollywood’s golden age was a boom time for musicians, and those who catered for them. Raphael Gold tells the stories of some of the era’s best-regarded LA bow makers, and reveals why their work should be better known today
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Leonard Rose: All about the bow
American cellist Leonard Rose was a consummate performer and pedagogue, whose velvety tone was the result of complete mastery of the bow arm. Oskar Falta explores some of his bowing theories and speaks to former students about his teaching techniques
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Carlo Bisiach: Dispatches from the front line
Gennady Filimonov examines the letters between Carlo Bisiach (1892–1968) and his American representative Leo D. Larsson, which provide a fascinating perspective on the violin trade in the 1930s and 40s, as well as an insight into the Italian luthier’s working methods
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Dover Quartet: United in sound
After twelve years together, the Dover Quartet is marking its graduation to the ranks of mature ensembles with a new Beethoven recording cycle and a residency at the Curtis Institute. The players speak to Charlotte Smith from the Bravo! Vail Music Festival
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The Spice of Life: Teaching different styles
Too often string teachers shy away from embracing styles outside the Western classical canon, but in doing so they’re ignoring a wealth of useful skills and techniques, not to mention repertoire, writes Julie Lyonn Lieberman
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Trade Secrets: Organic scroll carving
A method for shaping the scroll and pegbox that can give more flowing results, in line with what is seen on old instruments
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Making Matters: Why varnish matters
Ulrike Dederer reviews and summarises new research on how multilayered varnishes influence the moisture protection and vibrational properties of tonewood
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Masterclass: Haydn C major Cello Concerto
Red Priest’s Angela East discusses her approach to phrasing and sound in the first movement, and the influence of Baroque and early-Classical vibrato, bowing and style
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Technique: Artificial harmonics
How to use this less-common technique to improve harmonics, hand frame, intonation and bow control
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From the Archive: October 1950
Kenneth Warren makes a pilgrimage to Oxford to view Stradivari’s famed ‘Messiah’ violin – an undoubted highlight of the respected US violin dealer’s career
