Featured Stories – Page 61
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FocusViolinist Lihay Bendayan: Fourth finger vibrato
In this extract from the March 2022 issue, violinist Lihay Bendayan provides tips on how to improve a weak fourth finger vibrato
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Blogs‘It doesn’t have to be popular. It just has to be’: Gwendolyn Masin on honesty and art
Classical music doesn’t need to succumb to levels of mediocrity in order to be ‘popular’ or ‘relevant’. Instead, audiences should be open-minded enough to enjoy the simplicity of great music’s existence, argues violinist Gwendolyn Masin
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Focus‘The most perfect music ever written’: Violinist Leonidas Kavakos on recording Bach’s Solo Sonatas and Partitas
’Bach’s music is a reflection of life, and life is not always serious – there is also humour and dancing, and uplifting moods to counter the darker ones.’
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BlogsHow I write for strings: Composer Dani Howard
Composer Dani Howard shares how her roots as a cellist inform her latest compositions for strings
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Premium ❘ Article‘Concerto performers especially seem guilty of the “speed trend”’: Letters to the Editor March 2022
A selection of letters The Strad receives each month from its readers around the world: March 2022 issue
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Premium ❘ FeatureLeonidas Kavakos: Deep thinker
For Leonidas Kavakos, recording Bach’s Solo Sonatas and Partitas has been the culmination of a 30‑year artistic journey and, as the violinist tells Charlotte Smith, the works have a pertinent message for our troubled times
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Premium ❘ FeatureColeridge-Taylor violin and chamber music: From fame to footnote
Despite his prolific output, the works of British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor have been performed relatively infrequently in the century following his death. Tatjana Goldberg explores his chamber and violin music, particularly the Violin Concerto, and his fruitful artistic partnership with pioneering US violinist Maud Powell
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Landscape of shadows
Cellist Laura van der Heijden talks to Tom Stewart about the subtle, often other-worldly atmosphere inhabited by Czech and Hungarian music in her new recording with pianist Jâms Coleman
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Premium ❘ FeatureConductorless orchestras: The leading edge
For those ensembles willing to take the plunge, performing without a conductor can lead to a greater sense of collaboration, fulfilment and, ultimately, responsibility. Jacqueline Vanasse hears from some of the string players involved in such groups
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Premium ❘ FeatureFrom the Archive: March 1892
Carl Fuchs pays tribute to his friend and fellow cellist Carl Davidoff (1838–89), including a reminiscence of how he acquired his famed Stradivari cello
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Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: It takes three
As the Sitkovetsky Trio celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, lead violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky looks back at the lessons he and his colleagues have learnt
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FocusOpinion: Live for the moment
Classical musicians and audiences can learn from stand-up comedy shows, where there’s a naturalness and immediacy of interaction between performers and the crowd, writes Rita Fernandes
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Focus10 tips for learning and teaching sightreading
Advice from The Strad’s archive on how to improve sightreading and reminders of its crucial place in any good musician’s skillset
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Blogs’There is little to no room for error’: Sightreading in a recording session orchestra
Associate concertmaster of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra and session orchestra violinist Alexandra Gorski explains the high level of sightreading required from session musicians, as well as principles she employs to nail those one-take wonders
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FocusSol Gabetta: Life Lessons
The Argentinian cellist explains why staying true to oneself and constantly evolving make for a fruitful career
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Focus‘The repertoire is about transformation, change or loss’: United Strings of Europe
Artistic director of United Strings of Europe Julian Azkoul shares the motivation behind the arrangments featured on the ensemble’s latest album Renewal
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FocusTwo simple exercises for smooth string crossings
How to play controlled, smooth and seamless melodic lines
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FocusHybrid model: Postcard from Trondheim
The 2021 Princess Astrid International Music Competition worked around the continuing pandemic restrictions with online preliminary rounds followed by a live final on 18 November. Tim Homfray travelled north to witness some compelling performances
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Focus6 ways to improve your string crossing
Tips for even and seamless string crossing from The Strad’s archive
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FocusJohn Williams at 90: Anne-Sophie Mutter’s ‘respect for this gigantic musician’
In honour of John Williams’s 90th birthday today, here’s an extract from April 2020, where violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter spoke to Charlotte Smith about her new recording collaboration with the renowned film composer
