Blogs
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BlogsYo-Yo Ma and Chicago Symphony cellists dance using the Block Strap
In the video below cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Chicago Symphony cellists break into spontaneous dance while playing Johann Strauss II's Blue Danube Waltz in the foyer of Chicago's Symphony Center. The cellists are all using The Block Strap, designed by Mike Block, to
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Blogs
A cellist's bow goes flying
23-year-old International Paulo Cello Competition-winning cellist Kian Soltani loses control of his bow - but retains his composure - while playing Dohnányi's String Trio Serenade with Montreal International Musical Competition-winning violinist Marc Bouchkov
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Blogs
Memorisation is key to interpretation
In the latest in his series on violin technique the American maestro discusses the importance of understanding a work's cultural background and performing by memory to convey this
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Blogs
Violinist Aaron Rosand on how to succeed in competitions and auditions
The American virtuoso covers technical issues including accuracy, rhythm, intonation and vibrato, and also discusses musical authenticity and practice
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Blogs
Armen Ksajikian's spinning cello trick
Camerata Pacifica cellist Armen Ksajikian demonstrates a neat way of avoiding all those pesky fast-note runs.His spinning cello trick was shared via fellow Camerata Pacifica musician, violinist Giora Schmidt's Facebook page.
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Blogs
Yehudi Menuhin's 'Khevenhüller' Stradivarius violin copy by Emile Français
The instrument was made expressly for the great violinist for his 19th birthday, writes Stewart Pollens
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Blogs
Conquering performance nerves: how can I warm up my stiff, cold hands?
Brian Hodges and Diana Allan answer student questions on coping with stage fright
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Blogs
Postcard from European String Teachers Association conference 2016
Tartini, folk music, improvisation and puppetry: Pauline Harding reports on the 2016 ESTA conference, this year in Slovenia
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Blogs
Meditation (not from Thaïs) for musicians
Violist Matthew Jones discusses the ways in which meditation and mindfulness can help performers, as he prepares for his ‘Music and Silence’ concert at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival
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Blogs
It’s the taking part that counts’: Are competitions always defined by results?
This year’s Menuhin Competition promoted a ‘non-competitive atmosphere of learning and exchange’, but how true was this for the performers, asks Charlotte Smith
