All Feature articles – Page 6
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FeaturePlaying fit for a queen: Postcard from Brussels
This year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium was devoted to the violin, and showcased a set of distinct and accomplished performances by the twelve finalists, as Tim Homfray reports
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FeatureHow to shift smoothly and cleanly by cellist Jeffrey Solow
When it comes to shifting, the American cellist and Boyer College professor gets his inspiration from the physics of ball games in this 2007 article
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FeatureAnton Lukoszevieze: Life Lessons
The British cellist, composer and founder of new music group Apartment House on John Cage and how visual art helped to open his mind
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FeatureThe human touch: Postcard from Sendai
No first prize was awarded in the violin section of this year’s Sendai International Music Competition, yet the Japanese contest showcased some sensitive and interesting performances, writes Chloe Cutts
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Feature13 rules of desk partner etiquette
Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh offered these tips for a harmonious musical relationship in our September 2004 issue
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FeatureThe Strad guide to the best handmade electric violins
For maximum thrills, it’s hard to beat an electric violin at full throttle. There are many factory models, but here Christian Garrick test-drives some of the most innovative handmade instruments available today
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FeatureLeon Bosch on playing Bach on the bass
A firm believer in exploring the instrument’s own repertoire, the double bassist is wary of too many awkward and unsatisfying arrangements
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FeatureIn focus: c.1767 violin by G.B. Gabrielli
Kai Dase takes a close look at a violin by one of the finest and most influential Florentine makers of the 18th century
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FeatureBlaze of glory: Postcard from Montreal
At the Montreal International Musical Competition, Tom Stewart heard a winning performance full of fire among a seriously impressive field of contestants
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FeatureFirst principles of violin making: Music of the Spheres
In an age of little numeracy or literacy, how did luthiers settle on the proportions of stringed instruments, with hardly any variation in their basic design? François Denis shows how the principles of the classical Greeks – notably Pythagoras – informed their thinking
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FeatureNatalie Clein – Life Lessons
The British cellist recalls her time studying with Heinrich Schiff in Vienna, and the authors and recordings that still inspire her today
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FeaturePostcard from Odense
This year’s Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition, which took place in March, succeeded not only as a joyous celebration of the composer’s music, but in bringing together exciting young players set to make their mark on the world stage, writes Charlotte Smith
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FeatureLife Lessons: Matthew Barley
The British cellist on memory, nationalism and his long journey – via a skiing accident – to technical confidence
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FeatureA Royal Occasion – Postcard from Windsor
A castle setting, an enticing top prize and some highly promising string players were what Tom Stewart encountered at the Windsor Festival International String Competition final in March
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FeatureJulia Fischer and Vadim Gluzman on Shostakovich's violin sonata
Fifty years ago, David Oistrakh premiered Shostakovich’s violin sonata. Here Andrew Morris discusses the work with Julia Fischer and Vadim Gluzman
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FeatureViolinist Christian Tetzlaff on studying with Uwe-Martin Haiberg
The German musician's lessons with Haiberg at the Lübeck Musikhochschule were intimidating, but ultimately invaluable
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FeatureThe viola should sound like a human voice, says Nobuko Imai
Innate sympathy for the instrument combined with solid training were the backdrop to Amsterdam Conservatoire professor Nobuko Imai's love-affair with the viola
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FeatureHow to impress a conservatoire audition panel
'When you're ready...' These three little words needn't chill your spine in the audition room; Joanne Talbot asks the examiners what they're looking for when you stand in front of them
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FeatureAmerican cellist Jeffrey Solow on studying with Gregor Piatigorsky
Cellist Jeffrey Solow spent five remarkable years in the elite cello class of Gregor Piatigorsky at the University of Southern California. Here he remembers lessons with the great master
