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Aviv Quartet appoints new first violinist
Anna Göckel joins the ensemble, following founding member Sergey Ostrovsky’s 27 years of service in the role
Session Report: Johan Dalene on recording Neoclassical 20th-century works
The young Swedish violinist Johan Dalene speaks to Tom Stewart about recording his fourth album, a recital of luminous, Neoclassical 20th-century music for violin and piano
Violinist Karen Gomyo signs with IMG Artists and Enticott Music Management
Gomyo joins the roster for general worldwide management
Playing Hub
Postcard from Germany: Kissinger Sommer festival
A stay in northern Bavaria’s spa town of Bad Kissingen for the Kissinger Sommer festival proved to be a balm for the soul for Laurence Vittes
String quartets must offer an artistic voice to the music industry: Didier Schnorhk, Concours de Genève
Ahead of the Concours de Genève’s string quartet online rounds next week, secretary general Schnorhk shares how the competition offers emerging ensembles a stepping stone to their intended career
‘We want to learn everything’ - Leonkoro Quartet
Formed in 2019, the Leonkoro Quartet burst on to the scene with a string of competition wins and now a debut album. The foursome speak to Peter Somerford about what it takes to succeed as a young string quartet today
‘A partnership between the violinist and the orchestra’ - Nathan Meltzer on the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Ahead of a performance with the Orpheus Sinfonia on Thursday 14 September, the violinist shares his memories and thoughts on the monumental concerto
Cellist Carina Drury: how we drew inspiration from a vibrant 18th-century Dublin theatre neighbourhood
The creative director and cellist of the Irlandiani Players reveals how the ensemble aimed to recreate the cultural exchange from Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre and the surrounding area in its latest recording
Finding the right bow: A marriage made in heaven
A string player can miss out on the full potential of their instrument if they don’t find the perfect bow to go with it. A host of players and bow makers share their experiences with Jacqueline Vanasse and lend advice on the process of searching for the right bow
Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: Johan Dalene on recording Neoclassical 20th-century works
The young Swedish violinist Johan Dalene speaks to Tom Stewart about recording his fourth album, a recital of luminous, Neoclassical 20th-century music for violin and piano
Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Sergej Krylov on Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1
Mstislav Rostropovich had some resonant words of wisdom for the Soviet-born Italian violinist when they worked together on Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1
Premium ❘ Focus
Opinion: Flexibility in orchestral playing
Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that an orchestra’s greatest asset is not power or accuracy; rather the ability to adapt seamlessly to every style of music and manner of conductor
Competitions
No first prize awarded at Szymanowski string quartet competition
A surprise result at the finals held on 21 September
Concours de Genève 2023 announces semi-finalists
Eight flautists and six string quartets have been selected for the semi-final rounds of the 77th Concours de Genève
Prizes awarded at 42nd Rodolfo Lipizer International Violin Competition
Chinese violinist Ziling Guo took first prize of €10,000, a violin and future concert engagements
![[1] Luiz Fernando Venturelli pc © Todd Rosenberg](https://dnan0fzjxntrj.cloudfront.net/Pictures/460x307/3/9/6/31396_1luizfernandoventurellipctoddrosenberg_216891.jpg)
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: October 2023
This month’s competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Elena Kats-Chernin on her new double concerto
The Sarenka Concerto is in memory of an extraordinary woman
Masterclass: Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto, first movement
Double bass soloist Leon Bosch uncovers the challenges and opportunities of this emotionally powerful piece
Masterclass: Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no.2 in G minor op.63
Violinist James Ehnes provides his insight into tackling the tricky technical demands of this lyrical masterpiece
Masterclass: Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto, first movement
Double bass soloist Leon Bosch uncovers the challenges and opportunities of this emotionally powerful piece
Masterclass: Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no.2 in G minor op.63
Violinist James Ehnes provides his insight into tackling the tricky technical demands of this lyrical masterpiece
Masterclass: Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor op.85
Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras provides a detailed guide to performing this classic of the English repertoire
The Strad Podcast #95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger
Rachel speaks about the tools of her trade in this episode of the ‘Podgecast’
The Strad Podcast #94: a theatrical Verklärte Nacht with cellist Matthew Barley
The cellist speaks about creating a theatrical experience with a multitude of access points for new and existing audiences to Schoenberg’s piece and other related works
The Strad Podcast #93: creative storytelling with cellist Alexander Hersh
The star of ‘Absinthe’ shares how narrative and multiple access points can benefit classical music in reaching new audiences
The Strad Podcast #92: remembering violinist Geoff Nuttall of the St. Lawrence String Quartet
The ensemble’s founding violist Lesley Robertson shares her memories of the violinist
The Strad Podcast #95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger
Rachel speaks about the tools of her trade in this episode of the ‘Podgecast’
The Strad Podcast #94: a theatrical Verklärte Nacht with cellist Matthew Barley
The cellist speaks about creating a theatrical experience with a multitude of access points for new and existing audiences to Schoenberg’s piece and other related works
The Strad Podcast #93: creative storytelling with cellist Alexander Hersh
The star of ‘Absinthe’ shares how narrative and multiple access points can benefit classical music in reaching new audiences
Competitons
No first prize awarded at Szymanowski string quartet competition
A surprise result at the finals held on 21 September
Concours de Genève 2023 announces semi-finalists
Eight flautists and six string quartets have been selected for the semi-final rounds of the 77th Concours de Genève
Prizes awarded at 42nd Rodolfo Lipizer International Violin Competition
Chinese violinist Ziling Guo took first prize of €10,000, a violin and future concert engagements
A prize-winning Tzigane from violinist Matthew Hakkarainen
Hakkarainen performed Ravel’s Tzigane at the Fontainebleau summer course, which won him shared first prize in the Prix Ravel
A prize-winning Tzigane from violinist Matthew Hakkarainen
Academy of Ancient Music celebrates 50th anniversary
Baroque ensemble Camerata Øresund performs music by Campra
The Ssens Trio celebrates its tenth anniversary with Goldberg Variations video project
New video: Movement & Location by Sybarite5
Harp harmonics: Jacob Warren plays the double bass like a harp
Stradivarius and Beyond: The Italian Violin Maker Lorenzo Storioni
Watch now: Orchestra of the Swan’s ‘Echoes’
Video premiere: Cellist Alexander Hersh in ‘Absinthe’
Bluegrass x classical: Invoke performs ‘Burlywood’
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In Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
The Strad Calendar 2024: 1698 ‘Shapiro’ Pietro Guarneri of Mantua violin
The first fine instrument ever bought by collector David L. Fulton is a genuine rarity
Trade Secrets: Making a mould and templates from a poster
A quick, efficient and accurate way of cutting durable templates using one of The Strad’s publications
The Strad Calendar 2024: The Fulton collection
The Strad Calendar 2024 pays tribute to one of the 20th century’s finest stringed instrument collections, put together in just a couple of decades by American violin collector David L. Fulton. Christian Lloyd examines the treasures
Analysis October 2023: Climate change and tonewood
The past summer has seen catastrophic heatwaves strike almost all of Europe. What effect have they had on the forests of spruce and maple that tonewood dealers depend on?
Norwegian Wood: The history of the Hardanger fiddle
Regarded as Norway’s national instrument, the Hardanger fiddle is the product of a long evolution beginning in medieval times. Wiebke Lüders presents a history of the instrument’s development, profiling some of the most notable artisans
In Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
The Strad Calendar 2024: 1698 ‘Shapiro’ Pietro Guarneri of Mantua violin
The first fine instrument ever bought by collector David L. Fulton is a genuine rarity
Trade Secrets: Making a mould and templates from a poster
A quick, efficient and accurate way of cutting durable templates using one of The Strad’s publications
The Strad Calendar 2024: The Fulton collection
The Strad Calendar 2024 pays tribute to one of the 20th century’s finest stringed instrument collections, put together in just a couple of decades by American violin collector David L. Fulton. Christian Lloyd examines the treasures
Analysis October 2023: Climate change and tonewood
The past summer has seen catastrophic heatwaves strike almost all of Europe. What effect have they had on the forests of spruce and maple that tonewood dealers depend on?
Norwegian Wood: The history of the Hardanger fiddle
Regarded as Norway’s national instrument, the Hardanger fiddle is the product of a long evolution beginning in medieval times. Wiebke Lüders presents a history of the instrument’s development, profiling some of the most notable artisans
Concert review: Hilary Hahn (violin) Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective
Charlotte Gardner attends the performance of Barber, Copland, Carlos Simon, Jennifer Higdon and Jessie Montgomery at London’s Wigmore Hall on 20 June 2023
Concert review: Thomas Reif (violin) Sebastian Klinger (cello) Sebastian Manz (clarinet) Alice Sara Ott (piano)
Tim Homfray hears the performance of Messiaen at London’s Purcell Room on 22 June 2023
Concert review: Guildhall Chamber Music Festival
Edward Bhesania witnesses the performance from London’s Milton Court Concert Hall on 9 July 2023
Telegraph Quartet: Divergent Paths
Highly contrasted readings of a pair of contemporary quartets
Marina Martins: Santoro
A young cellist shines more brightly than the music in her concerto debut
Members of the Kammerakademie Potsdam: Sperger
A premiere recording shines light on a Mozart contemporary
Review: ABRSM Violin Exam Pieces from 2024
Alex Laing reviews the Associated Board’s new violin examination works, from Grades 1 to 8
Review: ABRSM Cello Exam Pieces from 2024
Janet Banks reviews the new syllabus for the Associated Board’s cello exams, from Grades 1 to 5
Book review: Chaconne Handbook I–II
Robin Stowell reviews Márta Ábrahám’s treatise on the famed Chaconne, another in her series of discussions of Bach masterpieces
Debate
Opinion: Flexibility in orchestral playing
Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that an orchestra’s greatest asset is not power or accuracy; rather the ability to adapt seamlessly to every style of music and manner of conductor
Opinion: The importance (and difficulty) of playing softly
As string players, we are often encouraged to make a big sound, but cellist Davina Shum believes that the art of playing quietly is an underrated one
Debate
Opinion: Flexibility in orchestral playing
Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that an orchestra’s greatest asset is not power or accuracy; rather the ability to adapt seamlessly to every style of music and manner of conductor
Opinion: The importance (and difficulty) of playing softly
As string players, we are often encouraged to make a big sound, but cellist Davina Shum believes that the art of playing quietly is an underrated one
Accessories
Products October 2023: Kun Seven shoulder rest
A shoulder rest made for maximum customisation
Products October 2023: StopLossBags
The bags hold a variety of liquids for violin making
Products October 2023: BAM Sky cello case
The case is the company’s lightest for cello
Concert review: Hilary Hahn (violin) Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective
Charlotte Gardner attends the performance of Barber, Copland, Carlos Simon, Jennifer Higdon and Jessie Montgomery at London’s Wigmore Hall on 20 June 2023
Concert review: Thomas Reif (violin) Sebastian Klinger (cello) Sebastian Manz (clarinet) Alice Sara Ott (piano)
Tim Homfray hears the performance of Messiaen at London’s Purcell Room on 22 June 2023
Concert review: Guildhall Chamber Music Festival
Edward Bhesania witnesses the performance from London’s Milton Court Concert Hall on 9 July 2023
Review: ABRSM Violin Exam Pieces from 2024
Alex Laing reviews the Associated Board’s new violin examination works, from Grades 1 to 8
Review: ABRSM Cello Exam Pieces from 2024
Janet Banks reviews the new syllabus for the Associated Board’s cello exams, from Grades 1 to 5
Book review: Chaconne Handbook I–II
Robin Stowell reviews Márta Ábrahám’s treatise on the famed Chaconne, another in her series of discussions of Bach masterpieces
Telegraph Quartet: Divergent Paths
Highly contrasted readings of a pair of contemporary quartets
Marina Martins: Santoro
A young cellist shines more brightly than the music in her concerto debut
Members of the Kammerakademie Potsdam: Sperger
A premiere recording shines light on a Mozart contemporary
Artists
‘A partnership between the violinist and the orchestra’ - Nathan Meltzer on the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Ahead of a performance with the Orpheus Sinfonia on Thursday 14 September, the violinist shares his memories and thoughts on the monumental concerto
Session Report: Hilary Hahn on Ysaÿe’s Solo Violin Sonatas
When Hilary Hahn decided to record Ysaÿe’s Six Solo Violin Sonatas for their centenary year, all the stars seemed to align in terms of both timing and fresh musical insights, as she tells Charlotte Gardner
‘Combining both traditional and contemporary music is key’: cellist Amalie Stalheim
Collaborating with a composer and working on contemporary works feeds inspiration for traditional works, and vice versa, writes cellist Amalie Stalheim
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