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Aaron Rosand on how to produce a beautiful tone
The American violinist examines the role of the bow in tone production. From 2013
7 ways to improve your tone
Music from Chopin’s Land: an international project by Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne
Violinist Davina Clarke performs Handel’s Sonata XII in F Major
‘Free and ringing, never forced’ - Technique: Developing bow control for improved tone
8 ways to develop musical expression and individuality
The Strad Podcast Episode #55: Time For Three on triple concertos
Violinists Nick Kendall and Charles Yang, and double bassist Ranaan Meyer speak about triple concerto commissions, plus their favourite string techniques
How to produce a strong, uninhibited sound without pressure, by cellist Joel Krosnick
The former Juilliard Quartet cellist explained to Laurinel Owen how to effectively transmit energy from your body to the instrument in 2005
‘Art has the ability to make one look at the world from a different perspective’ - cellist Trey Lee
Singing during practice can help improve sound and characterisation
'The better my body is working, the more efficient I can be' - Elena Urioste: She’s like a rainbow
‘I can see good tone’ - Suzuki’s tonalisation exercises
'Concentrating on perfectionism is never a good idea, so we focus on musical concepts instead' Masterclass: Mozart String Quartet K428
In the first movement of Mozart’s third ‘Haydn’ quartet Johanna Staemmler, second violinist of the Armida Quartet, discusses the importance of harmony, colour and intellectual complexity
Latest Magazine
August
‘If I want the bigger Sibelius symphonies in my life, the Bruckners and Mahlers, then I am going to have to learn to conduct’
Adventurous violinist Pekka Kuusisto talks to Andrew Mellor about his predilection for finding new challenges – including a recent shift to the conductor’s podium.
‘The presence of Calcium soap on the “Spagnoletti” indicates the use of a lubricant’
Giacomo Fiocco reports on a recent study of a trio of Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ instruments, examining everything from the varnish composition to the f-hole design.
‘I had never quite prepared for my musical performances in the way that I had for my sports matches.’
Taking inspiration from sports science, Berenice Beverley Zammit reports on how string players can physically prepare themselves for peak performance.
‘What appealed to me most was this viola’s soft quality. This was the sound through which I wanted to express myself’
Violist Hélène Clément tells Carlos María Solare about her latest recording of works by two accomplished viola players: Frank Bridge and Benjamin Britten.
‘It is fascinating that the frog shares some of the distinctive features of the head.’
Richard Morency identifies some of Eugène Sartory’s. working methods through a detailed examination of one of his middle-period bows
‘I don’t know where I’d be without yoga. The better my body is working, the more efficient I can be’
Multifaceted violinist Elena Urioste talks with Toby Deller about everything from yoga to starting up her own festival.
Premium ❘ Focus
‘It’s not about you; it’s about the music’: Helena Rathbone’s life lessons
The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s British principal violinist considers the pivotal role of chamber music throughout her career
Premium ❘ Focus
Contending for the crown: Postcard from the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition
At the second-ever cello edition of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, twelve world-class cellists competed for the top prize in gruelling finals attended by the Belgian queen herself. Pauline Harding reports
Premium ❘ Article
Analysis August 2022: ‘Teachers and examiners have been very patient, but it’s been frustrating for everyone’
Music teachers and students have recently expressed concerns about the ABRSM, the UK’s leading music examining board. How is it responding to the criticism? By Peter Somerford
Premium ❘ Article
August 2022: Editor’s welcome and contents
The Strad’s editor Emma Baker introduces the August 2022 issue
Violinist Davina Clarke performs Handel’s Sonata XII in F Major
The baroque violinist performs a single from her upcoming debut album Sweet Stillness
Violinist Davina Clarke performs Handel’s Sonata XII in F Major
Maxim Vengerov plays Beethoven Violin Concerto
13-year-old violinist performs Khachaturian, with Khachaturian
Cellist Steven Isserlis on using vibrato to improve phrasing
Four in one: London Sinfonietta principal violin plays Steve Reich
2022 Freedman Fellowship winner Katie Yap performs
Cellist David Finckel on vibrato
Esther Yoo’s practice tips: chord pizzicato
Violin techniques with James Ehnes: pizzicato
The Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective plays Mendelssohn
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Making Matters: How six bow makers crafted a bow in three days
Making a bow in three days is a tall order for anyone – but for six bow makers together? Pierre Nehr explains how April’s ‘Bow Rush’ event in Paris became an educational experience for all concerned
My Space: Martin Krause
The luthier, based in Saarbrücken, Germany, invites us into his workshop
‘Interventions led to an almost total removal or retouching of the original materials’ - Comparing three 1734 Guarneris
Researchers based at Cremona’s Museo del Violino recently had the chance to examine three priceless violins made by Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesu’ in the same year – 1734. Giacomo Fiocco explains the technical methods used to analyse the trio, and what they revealed about the surface materials and design idiosyncrasies
Revealing Sartory's secrets: A look at one of the 20th century's finest bow makers
Often called the finest bow maker of the 20th century, Eugène Sartory was a fastidious artisan whose work shows efficiency and reliability. Richard Morency examines a bow from Sartory’s middle period to reveal his working methods
In Focus: A 1766 cello by Carlo Ferdinando Landolfi
Philip Brown looks at the Milanese maker’s mid-century instrument
Nicolò Gagliano violin recovered in Berlin
The priceless instrument, missing for three years, was discovered by police conducting a different investigation
Making Matters: How six bow makers crafted a bow in three days
Making a bow in three days is a tall order for anyone – but for six bow makers together? Pierre Nehr explains how April’s ‘Bow Rush’ event in Paris became an educational experience for all concerned
My Space: Martin Krause
The luthier, based in Saarbrücken, Germany, invites us into his workshop
‘Interventions led to an almost total removal or retouching of the original materials’ - Comparing three 1734 Guarneris
Researchers based at Cremona’s Museo del Violino recently had the chance to examine three priceless violins made by Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesu’ in the same year – 1734. Giacomo Fiocco explains the technical methods used to analyse the trio, and what they revealed about the surface materials and design idiosyncrasies
Revealing Sartory's secrets: A look at one of the 20th century's finest bow makers
Often called the finest bow maker of the 20th century, Eugène Sartory was a fastidious artisan whose work shows efficiency and reliability. Richard Morency examines a bow from Sartory’s middle period to reveal his working methods
In Focus: A 1766 cello by Carlo Ferdinando Landolfi
Philip Brown looks at the Milanese maker’s mid-century instrument
Nicolò Gagliano violin recovered in Berlin
The priceless instrument, missing for three years, was discovered by police conducting a different investigation
Concert review: East Coast Chamber Orchestra
Leah Hollingsworth attends the performance at New York’s Washington Irving High School on 1 May 2022, part of the People’s Symphony Concerts
Concert review: Mandelring Quartet, Roland Glassl (viola) Isang Enders (cello)
Carlos Maria Solare attends a series of perofrmances at the Reiss-Engelhorn Museum, Mannheim, on 6–7 May 2022
Concert review: Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello) Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Beethoven, Shostakovich, Bridge and Britten at the Shriver Hall Concert Series in Baltimore on 1 May 2022
Basil Vendryes: Juon Chamber Music for Viola
Ardent readings put Juon’s viola music in the spotlight
Anne Akiko Meyers: Shining Night
A legendary ‘del Gesù’ takes centre stage in this wide-ranging recital
Itamar Zorman: Violin Odyssey
Violinistic byways brought to life with élan in this lockdown project
Book review: Antonio & Isaac
Julian Haylock reads Todd Shimoda’s novel imagining what might have happened if Antonio Stradivari had met Sir Isaac Newton
Book review: The Luthier’s Manual by J.C. Maugin
Andrew Dipper delves into a new translation of the 19th-century treatise by John Saucier, W. Brad Holley and Kate Rickenbacker
Book review: Top Banana
Alex Laing reviews the latest series of pieces for young players, from string pedagogues and authors Celia Cobb and Naomi Yandell
Debate
9 tips on playing the Ravel and Debussy quartets
Franck Chevalier, viola player of the Quatuor Diotima, gives advice on how to approach the most celebrated French additions to the quartet repertoire
Opinion: A teenage cellist on spreading the love for classical music
Megan Clarke, a 16-year-old cellist in the National Youth Orchestra, is on a mission to communicate her love of classical music to other young people
Debate
9 tips on playing the Ravel and Debussy quartets
Franck Chevalier, viola player of the Quatuor Diotima, gives advice on how to approach the most celebrated French additions to the quartet repertoire
Opinion: A teenage cellist on spreading the love for classical music
Megan Clarke, a 16-year-old cellist in the National Youth Orchestra, is on a mission to communicate her love of classical music to other young people
Accessories
Products August 2022: CodaBow Escent carbon-fibre bow
A carbon fibre bow for the young, versatile performer
Products August 2022: Instrument wax
A wax for cleaning and polishing your instrument
Products August 2022: Endpin holder
A stylish endpin holder for cello and bass
Concert review: East Coast Chamber Orchestra
Leah Hollingsworth attends the performance at New York’s Washington Irving High School on 1 May 2022, part of the People’s Symphony Concerts
Concert review: Mandelring Quartet, Roland Glassl (viola) Isang Enders (cello)
Carlos Maria Solare attends a series of perofrmances at the Reiss-Engelhorn Museum, Mannheim, on 6–7 May 2022
Concert review: Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello) Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Beethoven, Shostakovich, Bridge and Britten at the Shriver Hall Concert Series in Baltimore on 1 May 2022
Book review: Antonio & Isaac
Julian Haylock reads Todd Shimoda’s novel imagining what might have happened if Antonio Stradivari had met Sir Isaac Newton
Book review: The Luthier’s Manual by J.C. Maugin
Andrew Dipper delves into a new translation of the 19th-century treatise by John Saucier, W. Brad Holley and Kate Rickenbacker
Book review: Top Banana
Alex Laing reviews the latest series of pieces for young players, from string pedagogues and authors Celia Cobb and Naomi Yandell
Basil Vendryes: Juon Chamber Music for Viola
Ardent readings put Juon’s viola music in the spotlight
Anne Akiko Meyers: Shining Night
A legendary ‘del Gesù’ takes centre stage in this wide-ranging recital
Itamar Zorman: Violin Odyssey
Violinistic byways brought to life with élan in this lockdown project
Artists
Maxim Vengerov plays Beethoven Violin Concerto
A throwback to 2006 with this performance under the baton of Mariss Jansons and the Bavarian Radio Symphony
Violinist Julia Fischer and cellist Daniel Müller-Schott on sound projection
The soloists talk to Pauline Harding about orchestral accompaniment and soloistic sound
'The better my body is working, the more efficient I can be' - Elena Urioste: She’s like a rainbow
The award-winning violinist Elena Urioste has many strands to her career. She speaks to Toby Deller about making her BBC Proms debut, yoga, chamber music with friends, and how she kept the music alive during lockdown
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