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Baby on board: string soloists share their parenting stories
A life of performing, touring and rehearsing might seem impossible with a young child in tow – so how do so many soloists manage it? Catherine Nelson finds out, in this article from our May 2012 issue
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Opinion: The benefits and challenges of playing at the back of the section
While the musicians at the front of an orchestral string section might be in the spotlight, every string player should experience the unique challenges of sitting towards the back, says violinist Alexandra Gorski
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Blogs
Top 5 reasons why more string players should compose: Jessica Meyer
Violist and composer Jessica Meyer outlines why players should step out of their comfort zone with creating music, and why they may be better equipped for the practice than they realise
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Blogs
Ma Sicong inspires a new violin concerto for Esther Yoo
Ahead of a world premiere on 20 March, the violinist speaks to The Strad about Raymond Yiu’s Violin Concerto, which recalls the troubled life of Chinese musician Ma Sicong
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Blogs
At GatherNYC, the only religion is music: Laura Metcalf and Rupert Boyd
A concert series that promotes a sense of community, diversity and collaboration: founders cellist Laura Metcalf and guitarist Rupert Boyd outline why GatherNYC is a unique Sunday morning concert experience
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Article
‘I don’t like standing still’ - Daniel Kidane on his new violin concerto for Julia Fischer
British composer Daniel Kidane speaks to The Strad about writing his first violin concerto, inspired by his personal reactions to current political situations such as UK arts funding cuts and the war in Ukraine
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Laurence Lesser’s musical heroes: a playlist
Cellist Laurence Lesser shares some influential recordings from legendary artists that have impacted his six-decade-long career, which he has recently outlined in the March 2024 issue of The Strad
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Who was violinist Alma Moodie?
Australian-born violinist Alma Moodie was a celebrated performer in her day – a protégée of Carl Flesch who collaborated with many leading composers. However, her contribution to the violin canon has been largely forgotten, writes Tatjana Goldberg
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‘I like to run my section in a cooperative way’ - Christopher Hanulik’s Life Lessons
The US double bassist on his early influences and lessons learnt from his nearly four decade-long principal position at the LA Philharmonic
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Blogs
Who was violinist Kathleen Parlow?
Lilly Camden profiles the 20th-century female violinist, a child prodigy who had a prolific, yet short-lived performing and recording career
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Blogs
‘Her soulful melodies are her distinct fingerprint’: violinist Melissa White on Florence Price
Ahead of performances of both of Price’s violin concertos in March, violinist Melissa White chats to The Strad about discovering these works, as well as what makes Price’s music unique
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Blogs
‘The violin is discovering incredible repertoire with me!’: Liya Petrova on the 1742 ’Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
For almost two hundred years, the 1742 ‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ’del Gesù’ violin has remained unplayed. Now in the hands of Liya Petrova, the violinist shares her journey of discovery with this instrument
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Blogs
Cellist Guy Johnston: ‘When I perform with a choir, I’m often reminded of vocalising rather than playing the cello’
The cello is often described as the closest instrument to the human voice. Guy Johnston shares his unique experience recording Night Seasons by Rebecca Dale - described as a concerto for cello and choir in conversation
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Blogs
‘Orchestra and electronics converse with playful fluidity and harmony’: Rone x LCO on a new collaboration
Erwan Castex, a.k.a French electronic music virtuoso Rone, speaks about fusing stringed instruments with music production, as he joins the forces with London Contemporary Orchestra in an expansive new collaboration
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Pierre Rode: The Rode less travelled
He is best remembered for his didactic 24 Caprices, but there’s much more to Pierre Rode. For the French virtuoso’s 250th anniversary, Charlotte Gardner reveals a colourful life story and hears from the German violinist Friedemann Eichhorn, who has revived and recorded all of Rode’s 13 violin concertos
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Blogs
‘A deeply moving experience’: Alisa Weilerstein discusses Beethoven’s Cello Sonatas
Ahead of a performance of a Beethoven Cello Sonata cycle in Barcelona on 7 March, the cellist reveals her insights on the monumental works
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Laurence Lesser: the making of a cellist
Having recently celebrated his 85th birthday, cellist and pedagogue Laurence Lesser looks back on his formative influences and recalls some of the iconic 20th-century musicians he worked with
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Focus
Pioneering Female String Players from The Strad archives
Ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March, take a look at these string players who graced the pages of our early magazine
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Who were the early female violinists?
Women soloists have long struggled against prejudice and indifference in the male-dominated musical establishment. But, as Tully Potter explains, The Strad has taken an enlightened approach to the sexes throughout its history. From 2014
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Postcard from Hong Kong: Musicus Fest
Cross-cultural and intergenerational exchange is the engine that drives cellist Trey Lee’s Musicus Fest, as Thomas May discovered at its eleventh edition