Featured Stories – Page 180
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FocusHow to master staccato bowing, by cellist Xavier Phillips
The French cello soloist and chamber musician explains how, with practice and patience, the challenges of staccato playing can be overcome
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ArticleRussell Crowe plays the violin in Master and Commander
Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey plays the violin in the film Master and Commander, with the benefit of three months of lessons from Australian Chamber Orchestra leader Richard Tognetti. Crowe was keen to learn the instrument enough to look convincing in his movements, though of course the recording heard ...
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FocusThere's more to making a good sound than bowing parallel to the bridge
In our July 2006 issue, cellist Gerhard Mantel writes that there's more to good tone production than keeping the bow parallel to the bridge
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Premium ❘ FeatureHow to use bowing angle to vary articulation by cellist Colin Carr
How to vary the attack and timbre of a note by modifying the angle of the bow to the string
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Premium ❘ DebatePersonality is no longer encouraged in musical performance
Not too long ago mass audiences and critics alike revered overtly personal performances, yet today superimposing one's personality over that of the composer is regarded as poor musicianship, writes Henry Roth
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BlogsPerforming from memory has given our string quartet new life
After twelve years together, playing and recording from memory were key to an exciting rebirth for the Chiara Quartet, writes cellist Gregory Beaver
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ArticleGreat teachers on film: Bernard Greenhouse
Do you know what happens when a person is frightened? He pulls back, and shrinks . This destroys the sense of beauty' Cellist Bernard Greenhouse gives a masterclass on the first movement of Haydn's Second Cello Concerto in Kronberg. Buy the August 2011 issue, featuring tributes to ...
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ArticleSteven Isserlis on using the right amount of vibrato
You do need vibrato to emphasise phrasing and emotion, but not as an automatic part of your sound' Cellist Steven Isserlis puts former BBC Young Musician of the Year winner Guy Johnston through his paces in Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata at the International Musicians' Seminar Prussia Cove, and ...
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Blogs12 words of wisdom on practice and performance by Burton Kaplan
The Manhattan School of Music pedagogue offered the following guidance to violinist Ariane Todes when she attended his Magic Mountain Music Farm Practice Marathon Retreat in upstate New York this summer
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BlogsPlaying with less emotion can create more beautiful music
Putting in more effort does not necessarily mean greater improvement, writes violin professor and soloist Andrej Bielow
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ArticlePaul Tortelier gives masterclass on Elgar's Cello Concerto
French cellist Paul Tortelier gives a televised masterclass on Elgar's Cello Concerto in 1974.Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of a 30-day free trial. To purchase single issues click here.
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Premium ❘ FeatureHow to breathe freely when playing a stringed instrument
Ruth Phillips describes how she persuades musicians to rediscover their body and their instrument through the gentle art of inhaling
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Premium ❘ FeatureHow to reduce tension when playing the violin or viola
Mary McGovern provides some advice on holding your instrument without unnecessary spine and shoulder discomfort
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Premium ❘ FeatureWhat does the future hold for English fiddling?
Jon Boden explains the difficulties of finding an authentic playing style for traditional English tunes
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Premium ❘ FeatureFrom the Archive: advice for second violinists
Intelligent, modest, self-controlled, sympathetic: a description of all good second violinists from The Strad's May 1914 issue
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ArticleCellist Dane Johansen demonstrates 'blurred' string-crossing
US cellist Dane Johansen demonstrates 'blurred' string-crossing to accompany his Practice Diary on solo Bach in The Strad's May 2014 issue, out now. Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of a 30-day free trial. To purchase single issues click here.
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Blogs6 pieces of advice for performers by violinist Daniel Hope
The soloist, former Beaux Arts Trio member and associate artistic director of the Savannah Music Festival offers tips for musicians on performing and launching a career
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BlogsCreating a broad portfolio career rewards both musician and audience
Cellist and baritone Matthew Sharp explains why you should broaden your musical horizons ahead of his RE:naissance festival, celebrating Shakespeare's 450th anniversary, at London's Kings Place
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BlogsRussian violin teacher Yuri Yankelevich on how to achieve quick reflexes in your playing
Yankelevich believed that violin playing is based on key physiological principles. In preparing the English translation of his works, Masha Lankovsky takes a look at some of his suggestions
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Premium ❘ DebateThe skills we learn as musicians can counteract today's short attention spans
Are apps, tweets and status updates killing our minds? Ariane Todes argues that string players are uniquely placed to rise above the dangers of modern technology
