Featured Stories – Page 16
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Premium ❘ FeatureNigel Kennedy: the real thing
Nigel Kennedy is still often viewed as the bad boy of the violin, but he reveals his thoughtful, straight-talking nature as he chats with Harry White about equality, education and his recent forays into original composition
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Premium ❘ Feature‘It’s about spending time with the music’: the Attacca Quartet
The Attacca Quartet is about to release its first recording of Ravel’s String Quartet in F major, closing the circle on the ensemble’s career so far. George Grella hears from the four musicians about why they are drawn to that composer, and about their repertoire choices, influences and working methods
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BlogsViolinist Daniil Bulayev on his debut album of Bloch, Enescu and Ysaÿe
The winner of the 2021 Windsor Festival International String Competition shares how personal tragedy emphasises his connection Bloch’s Baal Shem, which features on his debut album
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Premium ❘ Feature‘His bow was snapped in two as the window-curtains caught fire’ - From the archive
In the dim and distant past, The Strad would raid other periodicals for violin-related stories. Two examples follow.
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BlogsDrones and opioid dreams: Daniel Pioro and Manchester Camerata reimagine Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’
The adventurous British violin virtuoso talks with US correspondent Thomas May about why he couldn’t resist adding his stamp to one of classical music’s most beloved icons
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BlogsFor cello, by cellists: how six new cello pieces celebrate the versatile identity of the cello
Who better to write music for cello than cellists themselves? Ben Michaels writes about commissioning six solo cello pieces by cellists, which he will premiere on 21 January 2025
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BlogsMusic in Millport: How being ‘human’ as a teacher inspired a small isle’s music community
In 2024, Arianna Ranieri spearheaded an initiative to provide accessible music tuition for adult learners in rural Scotland. She shares her approach that has united a community through a love of music making
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BlogsBryony Gibson-Cornish: How I acquired my dream Amati viola
Bryony Gibson-Cornish, violist with the Marmen Quartet, explains the remarkable chain of events that led her to acquire her dream instrument – a 1610 Brothers Amati viola – thanks to the Stradivari Trust
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ArticleRemembering the legendary violinist Nathan Milstein
On the 121st anniversary of the birth of the great Russian–American violinist Nathan Milstein on 13 January 1904, Robert Levin shares his personal recollections of hearing, meeting and eventually studying with the virtuoso
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Premium ❘ FeatureFamily treasures: Leopold van der Pals
At the turn of the millennium, a young Scandinavian cellist discovered he had an illustrious musical forebear. Since then, a treasury of previously unperformed music has come to light. Andrew Mellor speaks to cellist Tobias van der Pals about his great-great-uncle Leopold’s legacy
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Premium ❘ Focus‘See each concert as the most important one in your life’ - Daniel Hope’s life lessons
The violinist on his many influences and what is at the heart of a musician’s career
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BlogsThe healing power of the cello: four adult learners share their stories of overcoming adversity
What inspires someone to pick up the cello later on in life? Cellist, educator and creator of online cello school Cello Discovery Carolyn Hagler explores how learning the cello has enriched the lives of four adult learners
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BlogsMusic for our time: violinist Paul Huang on his new album ‘Mirrors’
The violinist speaks to The Strad about a musical journey that he hopes inspires listeners to ponder the past, present and future
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Baroque violinist Davina Clarke on The Art of Obligato
Baroque violinist Davina Clarke speaks to Harry White about her new album, The Art of Obligato, which explores the intricate interplay between vocal and instrumental lines in Bach’s sacred cantatas
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Premium ❘ FocusSentimental Work: Anne Gastinel on Dutilleux’s 3 Strophes sur le nom de Paul Sacher
The French cellist was captivated by Dutilleux’s 3 Strophes sur le nom de Paul Sacher from the first hearing; and it also provided an opportunity to meet the composer
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Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: AI vs live performance?
Even with the proliferation of technology such as generative AI in the music industry, violist Toby Deller believes there will always be a strong human need to experience live performance
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Blogs‘A powerful sound’: what it’s like to perform with Yo-Yo Ma and the Czech Philharmonic
As part of a Royal Academy of Music SIDE-BY-SIDE scheme, the Zenith Quartet was given the chance to tour with the Czech orchestra and Semyon Bychkov. Cellist Julius Maknickas chronicles his experience during the tour’s New York City portion, where he fulfilled a lifelong dream of meeting a musical idol
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Blogs‘Deep investment in people goes far’: How the artist collective Ilumina creates a musical eco-system
Online editor Davina Shum previously described a performance by Ilumina unlike any concert she’d attended before – why? She speaks to the initiative’s founder, violist Jennifer Stumm, about the Ilumina’s ethos and motivation ahead of its tenth anniversary in January 2025
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Premium ❘ FeatureThe legacy of a legend: Jacqueline du Pré tribute
The impact of British cellist Jacqueline du Pré’s towering talent continues to endure, despite her cruelly short career. To mark 80 years since her birth on 26 January 1945, several prominent string soloists speak about the influence her playing has had on their own music making
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Premium ❘ FocusPostcard from Lesbos: Molyvos International Music Festival
On the Greek island of Lesbos, the Molyvos International Music Festival offers live chamber music to a diverse international audience, as Claire Jackson discovered
