All Editors pick articles – Page 5
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FocusPaul Rolland's tension-free philosophy
Pioneering pedagogue Paul Rolland formulated a groundbreaking approach to string teaching through his University of Illinois String Research Project in the late 1960s. Charlotte Smith investigates the legacy of his findings, 40 years after his death
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Focus'My father hated competitions': David Stern at the Shanghai Isaac Stern Competition
David Stern, joint chair of the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition – currently in its final round – tells The Strad about protecting his father’s legacy and enforcing ‘radical clarity’ on the jury
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FocusDo different rosin brands actually perform differently? We put 7 to the test
The Strad’s editor Charlotte Smith and contributing editor Pauline Harding put seven rosins to the test and discover a world of difference between brand and type
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FocusPickup or microphone? Choosing what's right for your bowed string instrument
With such a variety of electronic pickups, microphones and now hybrid systems on the market, finding the perfect amplification solution isn’t always easy. Kimon Daltas considers the options
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DebateIs playing the viola a different art from playing the violin?
Not so, according to Philip Dukes, who argues that the technical requirements of the instruments overlap considerably and players benefit from studying both
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Blogs6 mindfulness techniques for music teachers
Mindfulness is an invaluable tool for teaching students how to concentrate on-stage, improve awareness in the practice room, play pain-free, and move on from disappointing auditions or performance experiences, writes Dr. Travis Baird
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NewsFrancesco Goffriller cello stolen at knifepoint in France
Ophélie Gaillard was robbed of the on-loan cello, her own Persoit bow – and her mobile phone
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NewsAeroflot relents on hand-luggage rules following musicians' outcry
Russian musicians took to social media and petitions to alert airline to consequences of announcement last week
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NewsDavid Garrett cancels another month of concerts after suffering slipped disc
Ray Chen has stepped in for two London Philharmonic Orchestra concerts, while another three have been cancelled outright
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FocusAsk the Experts: buying a student's first full-size violin
What should parents think about when it comes to buying their child a full-sized instrument? As three seasoned tutors attest, there are many things to consider
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NewsPatricia Kopatchinskaja and Jennifer Higdon pick up 2018 Grammys
Higdon’s Viola Concerto earns her two trophies at 60th Grammy Awards with Kopatchinskaja’s the only one for a classical string player
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NewsFacebook engineer who died aged 33 creates fellowship to lend his Vuillaume violin to worthy talents
Eric Sun’s prized instrument will be made available via the Tarisio Trust Sun-Law Vuillaume Fellowship in two-year periods to talented musicians with a community-building proposal
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NewsNancy Zhou wins $50,000 first prize at International Music Competition Harbin
American violinist, 25, adds the Chinese accolade to a number of recent competition successes
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NewsObituary: viola and violin soloist Luigi Alberto Bianchi, 1945-2018
Menuhin protégé who in later years swapped fluidly between violin and viola, and whose career was punctuated by the thefts of two famous instruments
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NewsLuck holds out for violist whose instrument went missing twice in two months
RSNO member Fiona West and violinist colleague reunited with stolen instruments
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NewsViola da gamba travelling in the hold for Alitalia flight destroyed by baggage handlers
Instrument belonging to early music specialist Myrna Herzog could be beyond effective repair
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NewsRobert Mann, founding member of the Juilliard Quartet, dies aged 97
Robert Mann, photographed for the documentary Speak the Music: Robert Mann and the Mysteries of Chamber Music US violinist Robert Mann, a founding member of the Juilliard Quartet, died on New Year’s Day at the age of 97. A teacher at both Juilliard and the Manhattan School ...
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DebatePut yourself in your beginner students' shoes by trying to learn a new instrument from scratch
For most teachers the feeling of clumsiness associated with beginning an instrument from scratch is a distant memory. With the help of Grade1athons, however, it can all come flooding back, as violin tutor Naomi Yandell describes
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FocusMaking a carbon fibre bow in 10 steps – photo story
Founded in 1999, Arcus has developed a reputation for making lightweight, durable bows from non-traditional materials. Company director Bernd Müsing explains how a composite bow is made, from initial design to first hair fitting
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FocusAdvances in string manufacture: the latest developments
There are hundreds of strings available on the market already, and new releases seem never ending. But just why are these developments happening, how necessary are they, and how are musicians involved in that process? Pauline Harding asks string manufacturers and testers worldwide
