All Featured Stories articles – Page 12
-
Premium ❘ FeatureGeorge Enescu: a musical polymath
Tully Potter explores the rich and colourful life of George Enescu, the extraordinary Romanian violinist, composer, conductor, pianist and pedagogue, who died 70 years ago
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Becoming a ‘bowist’
Violinist and teacher Alun Thomas explains why, when working on our technique and expression, string players should focus much more attention to the right arm than we might at first imagine
-
Premium ❘ ArticleAnalysis May 2025: Dealing with concert cancellations
One of the main problems for venues and promoters is what to do when an artist cancels at the last minute. How can they best appease their audiences? Peter Somerford investigates
-
BlogsTribute in dialogue: The Brentano Quartet pays homage to Chou Wen-chung
Ahead of the Brentano Quartet’s New York premiere of Lei Liang’s Madrigal Mongolia at Caramoor, violinist Mark Steinberg reflects on the enduring influence of Chou Wen-chung — mentor, composer and artistic catalyst.
-
BlogsInterpreting Dvořák vs. Mozart — a technical perspective for violinists
Grace Park provides a mini masterclass on how violinists can bring to life to the stylistic and musical qualities of the two seemingly opposite composers
-
BlogsEmbracing the wild: how Joanna Borrett’s new book introduces Celtic-style tunes to beginners
Composer and cellist Joanna Borrett talks about her new beginner book, Wild Cello, which introduces folk tunes, special effects and improvisation to learners, ahead of its publication on 25 April
-
NewsChatter: Making music for the masses
Richard Linnett explores Chatter, an ensemble providing ‘sonic mass’ in Albuquerque, founded and directed by concertmaster of the Santa Fe Symphony, David Felberg
-
BlogsWitness and memory: Kronos Quartet and Mary Kouyoumdjian give voice to the silenced
Marking Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day with the portrait album WITNESS, composer Mary Kouyoumdjian and Kronos Quartet’s David Harrington reflect on their decade-long collaboration – and music’s power to grapple with difficult themes.
-
BlogsViolinist Curtis Stewart on making music: by serving others, I am serving myself
The violinist and composer speaks about his new project Seasons of Change, which reimagines Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with theatre and audience connectivity, in an exploration of climate change and its effects on humanity
-
BlogsComposer Michael Stimpson: how my time in ICU inspired a work for cello and piano
Composer Michael Stimpson tells a story of survival through the recording release of his work Tales from the 15th Floor, ahead of a live performance in aid of the spinal injury charity, Horatio’s Garden
-
BlogsA week of practice with violinist Oliver Neubauer
How do you prepare for your Washington DC and New York City debuts? Violinist Oliver Neubauer highlights the importance of recording, focused work, external perspectives, as well as rest, ahead of his Young Concert Artists debuts on 22 and 29 April
-
FocusGreat violinists: Yehudi Menuhin
Julian Haylock examines the player whose openness and sincerity gave even lighter music a profound emotional resonance
-
Premium ❘ FocusPostcard from Gateshead: Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions
Tully Potter attended the 2025 editions of the Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions – held for the first time under one roof in the north-east of England – and he couldn’t fault the results
-
Premium ❘ FeaturePhilippe Quint: a time of change
US violinist Philippe Quint speaks to Rita Fernandes about his deeply personal new album Milestones, which represents a turning point in his career
-
BlogsHow taking a break can make you a better musician
Cellist and researcher Joanna Latała examines how time away from practice and your instrument will help your performance in the long run
-
Premium ❘ FocusSentimental Work: Frank Peter Zimmermann on Schumann’s Violin Concerto
Although the German violinist came late to Schumann, the Violin Concerto remains one of his repertoire staples – and provides an insight into the composer’s fraught mental state
-
Premium ❘ FeatureAdvice from peers: sharing the wisdom
Charlotte Gardner speaks to leading string players who have learnt valuable lessons from their colleagues and contemporaries, demonstrating that such insights are not only passed from teacher to pupil
-
BlogsFrom Attic to album: Takács Quartet and Marc-André Hamelin shine light on Florence Price’s Piano Quintet
Takács Quartet violist Richard O’Neill talks about the ensemble’s latest release, a collaboration with Marc-André Hamelin that pairs piano quintets by Florence Price and Dvořák
-
BlogsExploring the didactic works for two violins by Bartók and Berio
Violinists Maria Milstein and Mathieu van Bellen speak to The Strad about their new album, and how works commonly encountered by children can provide new challenges for adults
-
Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: the London Handel Players on recording Telemann’s ‘Paris’ Quartets
As part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations, the London Handel Players has recorded six of Telemann’s ‘Paris’ Quartets. Robin Stowell speaks to two of the ensemble’s members about bringing the dance elements in the music to life
