Featured Stories – Page 2
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BlogsMusic between friends: Sheku Kanneh-Mason on his new album, ‘Shostakovich & Britten’
The British cellist speaks to The Strad about his deeply personal new album, the influence of Rostropovich and the emotional extremes that keep him returning to this music.
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Premium ❘ Focus‘Curiosity is at the core of human nature’ - Roberto Díaz’s life lessons
The US–Chilean violist and director of the Curtis Institute of Music discusses the importance of technique and curiosity
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Premium ❘ Feature‘We hope this unjust penalising of ’cellists will disappear’ - From the archive: May 1925
Not planes but trains: a century ago, cellists were up in arms about railway operators charging extra to allow instruments on board. Pedagogue Carl Fuchs reveals the result of the latest petition
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BlogsComposer Sven Helbig: on the creation of ‘Requiem A’
The composer shares how breath is central to this symphonic composition, released on a new album on 8 May 2025, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe
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BlogsIlluminating the shadows of the string trio: Black Oak Ensemble
Chicago’s Black Oak Ensemble digs deep into the overlooked world of the string trio – and finds a wealth of stories, soundscapes and surprises.
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Blogs‘An emotional journey’: Alexander Sitkovetsky on Strauss’ Metamorphosen
The violinist of the Sitkovetsky Trio reflects on his personal experiences of Richard Strauss’ work that contemplates loss and transformation - including both versions for string septet and string orchestra - ahead of a performance on 15 May with musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
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BlogsApollo Chamber Players: when ‘diversity’ became dangerous
Since when did ‘diversity’ become a dirty word? Matthew J. Detrick of the Apollo Chamber Players explains the motivation behind the ensemble’s eponymous programme in its We the People series, and why the arts must be used to defend democracy
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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
