Featured Stories
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BlogsSanta Fe Pro Musica Season Finale: Conviction and Confidence
Richard Linnett reports back from Santa Fe Pro Musica’s season finale on 4 May, a celebration of American symphonic music and its folk roots, including Colin Jacobsen’s new bluegrass-inspired violin concerto, RondoEOEO
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ReviewConcert review: Helen Kim (violin) Seattle Symphony/Sunny Xia
US correspondent Thomas May attends a boldy engaging interpretation of Vivaldi’s inescapable classic featuring Seattle Symphony associate concertmaster Helen Kim at Benaroya Hall on 1 May 2025
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BlogsThree bows are better than one: Nancy Zhou shows off the tools of her trade
Artists sometimes use multiple instruments on an album, but what about multiple bows? Violinist Nancy Zhou shares details about the three different bows employed on her upcoming album of solo works
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BlogsCatching up with violinist Hans Christian Aavik
What has Hans Christian Aavik been up to since winning the Carl Nielsen Competition in 2022? The Estonian violinist speaks about his new album release of two contrasting concertos, which comprised part of his competition victory package
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BlogsViolist and composer Melia Watras on her new album ‘The almond tree duos’
18 duos for violin and viola make up Melia Watras’s latest project, inspired by literature, visual art and music, with messages of forgiveness, hope and new beginnings
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Premium ❘ FocusSentimental Work: Alina Ibragimova on Schumann’s Violin Sonata no.2
For the Russian–British violinist, Schumann’s Violin Sonata no.2 may be exhausting but rewards listeners with a profound insight into the composer’s deepest soul
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: cellist Zlatomir Fung on recording operatic fantasies for his debut album
For his debut album, US cellist Zlatomir Fung has delved into the world of the operatic fantasy – a relative rarity on the instrument. He speaks to Peter Quantrill about how making the recording has revealed new aspects of his musical personality
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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FocusGreat violinists: Yehudi Menuhin
Julian Haylock examines the player whose openness and sincerity gave even lighter music a profound emotional resonance
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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
