All Featured Stories articles – Page 133
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FocusMasterclass: Leonidas Kavakos on the Sibelius Violin Concerto
The Finnish composer put all his knowledge as symphonic writer and frustrated violinist into this great, elemental work. First published in The Strad’s January 2008 issue, Leonidas Kavakos’s masterclass explains how to do it justice
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FocusProfessional string players reveal their favourite accessory
We asked six string musicians to name the one most treasured addition to their kit – though for some it was doing without something which made the difference
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FocusDouble stopping on the cello: How to play passages of 3rds and 6ths with more fluidity
Technique advice, exercises and repertoire examples from Lionel Handy, cello professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Birmingham Conservatoire and Winchester College, UK
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BlogsConquering performance nerves: sweaty hands, losing bow grip
Brian Hodges answers student questions on coping with stage fright
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FocusNatural playing on violin and viola, inspired by the Alexander Technique
Exercises to release tension and improve ease of movement when playing the violin by Tomas Cotik, violin professor at Portland State University
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FocusIrvine Arditti's sentimental work: Helmut Lachenmann's Grido
For the Arditti Quartet’s founder and first violinist, Helmut Lachenmann’s String Quartet no.3 Grido contains unorthodox challenges and an unusual sense of passion
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FocusMasterclass: Johannes Moser on Brahms E minor Cello Sonata no.1 op.38
The German-Canandian cellist takes a look at structure, character and speed, and explains why it is so important to honour the composer’s bowings, in the first and second movements of the E minor Sonata
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VideoLawrence Power performs Salonen's Pentatonic Étude for solo viola
In this video from the Philharmonia Orchestra, British violist Lawrence Power plays Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Pentatonic Étude. Salonen wrote the piece for Power, who premiered it in 2015.
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BlogsTamsin Waley-Cohen: 7 tips for making a successful recording
Making a recording comes with its own special set of pressures, and moving from the stage to the studio isn’t the easiest transition for a musician to make. Here violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen sets out her advice earned through experience
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FocusContact points: controlling your sound through the position of your bow on the string
New England Conservatory and Juilliard School cello faculty member Natasha Brofsky introduces a set of exercises for exploring the tone, colour and expressive potential of a well-controlled bow, plus three videos showing the techniques in action
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VideoBridge position adjustment with Edgar Russ
In the first of a new series of YouTube videos, Cremona-based luthier Edgar Russ talks about the importance of proper bridge adjustment and how to check if yours is maintaining the correct angle
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VideoTwoSet Violin: 21 Types of Orchestral Players
Brett and Eddy are back with a their unique take on life as a professional violinist. TwoSet Violin is currently on a crowdfunded world tour, with the next stops in Oslo, Warsaw, and Vienna. Click here for more info.
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VideoAleksei Kiseliov – Massenet's Élégie arranged for cello and string orchestra
Aleksei Kiseliov, principal cello of the Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestra, plays his own arrangement of Massenet’s Élégie. The orchestra is conducted by RSNO music director Peter Oundjian.
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DebateMake lesser-known masterpieces part of your repertoire, but only if you have something to say
It is not enough to choose pieces just because nobody else plays them, writes Francesca Dego
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FocusAdvice I'd give my younger self: Nadia Sirota
Collaboration and idiosyncrasy are focuses for the American violist who advises musicians to ebrace what makes their sound unique
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Blogs10 tips for buying a new bow
Are you considering upgrading to a better bow but not sure where to start? Violinist and bow maker Mariia Gorkun gives practical advice on how to go about choosing the right bow for you and your instrument – Register for free to read
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FocusSticky stuff: how rosin is made and how to choose the right one for your needs
As string players we all use rosin, but how many of us understand its properties well enough to choose the type that’s right for us? Laurinel Owen investigates
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FocusArabella Steinbacher on Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto
For the German violinist, Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto opened the doors to 20th-century repertoire – and with it, whole new sound worlds
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VideoDavid Nadien plays Swan Lake Solo with Leonard Bernstein & New York Philharmonic
In this video, David Nadien, the New York Philharmonic’s concertmaster from 1966 to 1970, plays the Pas de deux violin solo from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Nadien was appointed by Bernstein in 1966 in what was seen as quite a controversional move: the violinist had cut his teeth in the studios ...
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VideoGordan Nikolitch plays the violin solo in Beethoven's Missa Solemnis
In this performance at the 2011 BBC Proms, London Symphony Orchestra leader Gordan Nikolitch plays the violin solo part in the Sanctus from Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. The LSO is conducted by Sir Colin Davis and joined by the London Philharmonic Choir and LSO Chorus, and Helena Junventen (soprano),Sarah Collonny (mezzo ...
