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Blogs
Pedagogy and playing resources: a reading list from cellist Guy Johnston
Alongside his interview for The Strad Podcast, the cellist shares the manuals and resources that have informed his playing and teaching career so far
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Focus
Born on this day: cellist Mstislav Rostropovich
Today we’re shining a light on the titan of cello playing, who was born on 27 March 1927
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Blogs
‘Expressive, honeyed tone with effortless charm’: Patrick Savage on the Hollywood violin sound
The violinist discusses gems of discovery during the glittering age of film music, ahead of the release of his new album The Golden Age of Hollywood: Concert Works for Violin and Piano
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Postcard from Beijing: Global Music Education League competition
The first violin edition of the Global Music Education League competition took place in Beijing following a four-year delay due to the pandemic. Emma Baker travelled to China to hear the finals
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Analysis April 2024: Discrimination towards LGBTQ+ musicians
A new report highlights the experience of LGBTQ+ musicians in the UK’s orchestral landscape, revealing that discrimination is still all too common in such environments
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Violinist Joshua Bell: ‘Everybody’s playing like their life depends upon it’
Violinist Joshua Bell chats with Pauline Harding about transcending the pyrotechnics of Paganini, the inspiring ethos of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and celebrations to mark the centenary of the orchestra’s founder, Neville Marriner
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'Your own voice must be in charge': Creating an improvised violin concerto
Can a new work encourage young, classically trained string players to lose their fear of improvisation and find their individual voice? Violinist Christina Åstrand and composer Signe Lykke explain the concept to Andrew Mellor
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Session Report: the Carducci Quartet on recording Shostakovich
As the Carducci Quartet releases its third Shostakovich disc, Tom Stewart hears from the group’s violist and cellist about the extreme contrasts between the two featured pieces – the ninth and fifteenth string quartets
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The life and legacy of cellist Boris Pergamenschikow
Russian cellist Boris Pergamenschikow enjoyed an influential career both teaching and playing in Europe after leaving the Soviet Union, before his untimely death twenty years ago. Oskar Falta examines his legacy and hears from some of his former students
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‘She plays like a man’ - From the archive: April 1904
New York correspondent Thomas C. Dawson reports on a performance by Maud Powell and solves a mystery regarding the violins of virtuoso Ede Reményi (1828–98)
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Opinion: why don’t string players practice pizzicato?
Perfecting bowing is a lifelong quest for string players – but what about pizzicato? Cellist Davina Shum advocates setting aside some dedicated practice time to this neglected technique
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Sentimental Work: Elena Urioste on Mel Bonis’s Violin Sonata
The Violin Sonata by French composer Mel Bonis was a revelation for the US-born violinist, revealing both a new sound world and innovative techniques in music writing
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‘So don’t sit around and think – go and find your audience!’ - Tai Murray’s life lessons
The US violinist on finding your voice and the transition from student to professional
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‘How many repairers encountered smashed cello necks?’ - Letters to the editor April 2024
A selection of letters The Strad receives each month from its readers around the world: April 2024 issue
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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