Featured Stories – Page 13
-
Blogs
Joshua Roman’s debut solo album and the healing power of music
US correspondent Thomas May speaks with American cellist and composer Joshua Roman about his new solo album, Immunity, and how it reflects his experience with Long Covid.
-
Blogs
In loving memory of my grandfather, who gifted me his violin: Dmytro Lysko
Every performance is a continuation of Dmytro Lysko’s family story and legacy, thanks to a treasured violin that can be heard on the Vivere Quartet’s latest album, Prayer for Ukraine
-
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Alexander Sitkovetsky on Bach’s ‘Double’ Violin Concerto
Bach’s ‘Double’ Violin Concerto in D minor BWV1043 has been a constant companion throughout the Russian–British violinist’s life, and played critical roles in his career
-
Premium ❘ Feature
‘The mechanical limits of the viola’ - From the archive: October 1924
The pseudonymous ‘Ike’ calls for a rethink of the orchestral layout, and describes an instrument resembling the ‘Parramon’ tenor viola of 1932 (see In Focus, September 2022)
-
Blogs
Preparing a National Youth Orchestra audition: violinist Sakura Fish
Violinist Sakura Fish shares her top tips for preparing for an audition, as well as other ways to get involved with the NYO
-
Blogs
Cello Notes: Music and the Urgency of Time by adult cello learner, Mavis Himes
Psychoanalyst Mavis Himes presents an excerpt from her memoir, which explores her musical journey of learning the cello later in life
-
Article
Thriller night: improvising scores for silent cinema on the viola
In anticipation of his tour playing in UK cinemas, violist and filmmaker Hugo Max reflects on his unique process of improvising live soundtracks for silent horror movies on solo viola
-
Premium ❘ Feature
The DIY approach: Self-taught string playing
Can you teach yourself the violin? Violinist, teacher and author Celia Cobb believed it to be impossible – until a new book made her re-evaluate some of her assumptions
-
Premium ❘ Focus
‘Imagination is one of the most important things in music’ - Alexander Baillie’s life lessons
The British cellist on playing fundamentals and developing musicality
-
Blogs
‘Celebrating the violin in its different guises’ - Madeleine Mitchell on the Red Violin festival
The Red Violin festival takes place throughout Leeds from 14 to 19 October, celebrating the violin in different guises throughout the city. Artistic director and violinist Madeleine Mitchell shares her thoughts about its revival since its previous edition in 2007
-
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: Cellist Matthew Barley on recording Light Stories
Cellist Matthew Barley’s album Light Stories was inspired by a life-changing incident he experienced as a teenager. He tells Charlotte Gardner how he put together its deeply personal narrative and recorded it in his home studio
-
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Scotland: East Neuk Festival
Simon Thompson visits the picturesque East Neuk of Fife in Scotland, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a festival that attracts some of the best chamber musicians in Europe
-
Blogs
‘The viol lends itself to contemporary music very well’: Fretwork and new music
New music is essential to the survival of the viol consort, writes Richard Boothby of Fretwork, ahead of the group’s appearance at Music@Malling
-
Feature
The Takács Quartet – an exclusive interview from The Strad’s archive, April 1985
The Takács Quartet, regarded as one of the world’s greatest string quartets, celebrates its 50th anniversary this season. In this exclusive interview from The Strad’s April 1985 issue, the ensemble’s original line-up spoke about building on their early success
-
Blogs
‘Del Gesù’ Club brings together 17 Guarneri violins
Organised by David Garrett, the annual two-day event allows owners and players of Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violins to play and examine each other’s instruments
-
Premium ❘ Feature
50 years of the Takács Quartet
As the Takács Quartet celebrates its 50th birthday, its members talk to Pauline Harding about the ensemble’s legacy, the intangible ‘fifth spirit’ that has shaped its character even as its players have changed over the decades, and the importance of teaching and other projects and challenges
-
Premium ❘ Feature
Régis Pasquier: the complete violinist
Now nearing his ninth decade, the great French violinist Régis Pasquier has enjoyed a dazzlingly varied 65-year career taking in everything from core repertoire to contemporary music to jazz. He shares some of his memories over tea in Paris with Jessica Duchen
-
News
Rachel Barton Pine plays sonatas of Arcangelo Corelli
Rachel Barton Pine’s new album of Arcangelo Corelli’s Op. 5 violin sonatas, on which she is joined by period-instrument specialists David Schrader (keyboards), John Mark Rozendaal (cello) and Brandon Acker (guitar), reflects the experimental spirit of Corelli’s original scores.
-
Blogs
Julia Hagen makes her Vienna Philharmonic debut at the Lucerne Festival
US correspondent Thomas May interviews cellist Julia Hagen, winner of the 2024 UBS Young Artist Award, on the eve of her breakthrough debut with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Lucerne Festival
-
Blogs
‘One of my most loyal musical companions’: violinist Irène Duval on celebrating the music of Fauré
Ahead of the centenary anniversary of Gabriel Fauré’s death and the release of her new album Fauré and Friends, Irène Duval writes on what the great composer’s music means to her and dives into his lesser known second violin sonata in E minor Op.108