All Blogs articles
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Blogs
King Charles III: Four times the new monarch showed his deep love for classical music
Ahead of the coronation this weekend, take a look at some of the new monarch’s classical highlights
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Blogs
Five new string recordings by female composers
For Women’s History Month, we’ve selected five of the best new recordings by female composers from the past year
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Blogs
‘We’re making an active choice to write women out of music history’
Following the release of her book Quartet, Dr Leah Broad talks to Ruth Hallows about the reasons why women have had to fight harder to have their works performed
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Blogs
Five string pieces by Welsh composers
To celebrate St. David’s Day we’re sharing five pieces for strings by Welsh composers
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Blogs
‘It begins with awareness of the unmistakable link between music and emotions’ - Sarah Daramy-Williams
Violinist Sarah Daramy-Williams explores a more holistic approach to creating music outside the rigid forms and boxes of the traditional classical world
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Blogs
‘The cello is the only instrument that encompasses the entire range of the human voice’ - Simon Parkin
Ahead of Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s new album Song, pianist, composer and arranger Simon Parkin talks about the process of arranging works for cello ensemble
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Blogs
Release the Fear Monster: how to conquer performance anxiety and perform at your best
Brian Hodges and Diana Allan discuss the origins of stage fright and offer guidance on how to combat fear during performance
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Blogs
Conquering performance nerves: how do I control my fear of failure?
Brian Hodges and Diana Allan answer student questions on coping with stage fright
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Blogs
'I often have to battle negative thoughts on stage,' says violinist Joshua Bell
The star performer talks about channelling nervous energy and thinking oneself confident
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Blogs
Violinist Itzhak Perlman on conquering performance nerves
‘Know your enemy,’ says The Strad’s August 2015 issue cover star
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Blogs
Violinist Aaron Rosand on why memorisation is key to interpretation
The American maestro discusses the importance of understanding a work's cultural background and performing by memory to convey this. From 2016
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Blogs
Aaron Rosand on how to produce a beautiful tone
The American violinist examines the role of the bow in tone production. From 2013
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Blogs
Violinist Julia Fischer and cellist Daniel Müller-Schott on sound projection
The soloists talk to Pauline Harding about orchestral accompaniment and soloistic sound
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Blogs
Violinist Aaron Rosand on how to produce a good vibrato
The American violinist examines the role of vibrato in enhancing sound and providing character. From 2017
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Blogs
’Representing nature, a sense of place and identity’: Harriet Mackenzie on three new commissions
Violinist Harriet Mackenzie reflects on a busy summer of commissioned projects influenced by nature, special locations and personal collaborations
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Blogs
Looking after your instrument: an introduction to soundposts
What is a soundpost? What does it do? Luthier Cecilia González from the Women in Lutherie community illustrates the enormous role of the little cylindrical piece of wood in an aim to demystify the subject for players
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Blogs
Looking after your instrument: the secret to bridge placement
Is a reluctance to adjust your own bridge resulting in unnecessary trips to the luthier? Paris Andrew from the Women in Lutherie community explains how it’s done
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Blogs
Teaching adult students: Find a teacher with passion and dedication
Finding the right teacher can eliminate many of the insecurities associated with learning an instrument as an adult. Cellist and teacher Ariane Zandi shares her experience from a teacher’s perspective
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Focus
10 essential pieces for string orchestra
As Endellion Quartet violinist Andrew Watkinson prepares to lead the Guildhall String Ensemble, he tells us his favourite works for strings – and we put them in a convenient playlist. From 2019
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Blogs
String ensemble skills are life skills – not to mention professional imperatives
Damian Iorio, violinist, conductor and music director of the UK-based National Youth String Orchestra, writes about the importance of ensemble skills. From 2018