Featured Stories – Page 129
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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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FocusLisa Jacobs’s top 5 practice tips
To tie in with the release of her Nielsen CD, the Dutch violinist shares her insight into getting the most out of your practice
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Premium ❘ FeatureHow to be a successful busker
Summer provides the richest time for musicians to make money from impromptu outdoor performance. Experienced buskers tell David Kettle how they go about it, and why the rewards can be greater than you might expect
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BlogsAaron Rosand: 5 ways good posture will improve your playing
Good standing and sitting positions, and avoiding using a shoulder rest, are all important for optimum performance, wrote the American virtuoso in 2014
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BlogsBaroque music was invented in Italy – and spread like wildfire
Violinist Johannes Pramsohler writes about the latest two albums from Ensemble Diderot, dedicated to the Italian influence on music in Paris and London
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Premium ❘ FeaturePassing the Torch
Expert encouragement in their early years helped turn the Belcea Quartet into one of today’s most formidable chamber ensembles. Twenty-five years after they started out, they talk to Tom Stewart about passing on their experience to the next generation – as well as continuing to gain knowledge themselves
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Premium ❘ FeatureHistory is now
Growing numbers of young musicians are incorporating elements of historically informed performance into their playing. Charlotte Gardner investigates the reasons behind this phenomenon, explores the options for aspiring period artists and receives advice from both fledgling and long-standing practitioners
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Christian Tetzlaff on Beethoven’s Violin Concerto
At the end of last year violinist Christian Tetzlaff made his second official recording of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in two live performances, resulting in an interpretation much more in keeping with his own personal understanding of the work
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Premium ❘ FeatureFrom the Archive: October 1959
Violin teacher Noel Hale introduces Kató Havas’s New Approach to the world. This article prompted a huge correspondence in The Strad, reproduced in Havas’s 1968 autobiography
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Premium ❘ FeatureLeonidas Kavakos: Social Harmony
Violinist Leonidas Kavakos this year presented his eighth Musical Horizons Conservatory masterclass series. Toby Deller attended the three-day event in Athens, during which Kavakos proved himself to be not only an intelligent and dedicated teacher, but also an advocate of social cohesion and personal responsibility through music
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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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BlogsIstván Várdai on winning competitions and beyond
Having picked up prizes early in his career, and more recently served as a jury member, the cellist offers some advice for those preparing to join the competition circuit
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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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BlogsRachel Barton Pine: 10 tips for practice and performance
The Strad attended a masterclass with the American violinist in 2015 and took down these practical pointers
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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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Premium ❘ FeatureLeon Bosch: Irrepressible Drive
South African-born double bassist Leon Bosch has held top orchestral posts and performed as a soloist on multiple international stages since arriving in the UK in 1982. But, as he tells Kimon Daltas, now is not the time to rest on his laurels, as new works and new challenges await
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Premium ❘ FeatureMasterclass: Johannes Moser on Mendelssohn’s Cello Sonata no.2
Johannes Moser takes a look at tempo, dynamics and the relationship between instruments in the exciting and energetic first movement of the D major op.58 Sonata
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Premium ❘ FeatureFrom the Archive: August 1959
Violinist Mavis Bacca Dowden reports from the fourth edition of the Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition, where Jaime Laredo was victorious and Joseph Silverstein came third
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Premium ❘ FeatureEduard Melkus: Testament to Versatility
Austrian violinist and violist Eduard Melkus turned 90 last year. Tully Potter speaks to colleagues, former pupils and the man himself – and outlines a far more diverse and varied career than his reputation for early music performance would suggest
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Premium ❘ FeatureAsk the Experts: how to make the best use of limited practice time
Four specialists in practice techniques advise a busy amateur musician how to make the most of his limited rehearsal time
