Featured Stories – Page 70
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Focus‘A bright key without inhibitions’ - Lewis Kaplan on Bach’s Solo Violin Partita in E major
In this extract from the August 2021 issue, Lewis Kaplan concludes his analysis of the Bach’s Solo Violin Sonatas and Partitas
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FocusExploring the second movement of Brahms Viola Sonata in F minor
In this extract from August 2015, violist Rainer Moog guides us through the nostalgic second movement of op.120 no.1
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Focus7 bow hold insights from historical string players
The way of holding a bow is a topic of endless discussion. Here is what seven influential string players of the past had to say about it
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FocusJulian Rachlin’s tips on the first movement of Brahms Viola Sonata no.1
Tips on finger placement, bow distribution and character in the F minor sonata, taken from the March 2018 Masterclass
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FocusClarinet or viola? The history of Brahms op.120
In this extract from 1997, Michael Freyhan examines the history behind Brahms’ viola sonatas, including the composer’s doubt that they should even be played on the instrument
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Premium ❘ FeatureŠevčík’s legacy: how important is he to string players today?
Leading performers and teachers share their views on the use of Ševčík today, in this article from September 1998. By Sarah Mnatzaganian
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BlogsSongs without words: arranging popular classics of Azerbaijan for violin and guitar
Violinist Nazrin Rashidova writes about transcribing popular Azerbaijani songs with an aim to explore and expand the repertoire for violin and classical guitar
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Focus‘There is no separation of music and technique’ – Joshua Bell on virtuosic encores
The violinist explains why it’s crucial to prioritise musicality as well as technical prowess when performing encores by Paganini, Wieniawski and Vieuxtemps
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FocusPaganini’s 24 Caprices: achieving a musically informed performance
Violinist and The Strad’s editorial assistant Rita Fernandes on the importance of reconciling technique and musicality when learning Paganini’s 24 Caprices for Solo Violin
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Focus'A shocking surprise': uncovering Bach’s Partita for Solo Violin no.2 in D minor BWV1004
Following analysis of Bach’s Partita no.1 in B minor BWV1002, Lewis Kaplan introduces the mighty Partita no.2 in D minor BWV1004 in this extract from the August 2021 issue
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FocusOpinion: Relaxed body, focused mind
The art of Chinese calligraphy has much to teach us about playing a stringed instrument, writes violist Hsin-Yun Huang
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Premium ❘ FeatureBrahms: the viola’s champion
In this article from the May 1997 issue, Michael Freyhan examines how Brahms was one of the first composers to appreciate the viola’s potential, giving the instrument a chance to shine through his chamber music
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NewsCellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died
The musician, conductor and composer was 71 years old
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FocusA blessing in disguise: recording Piazzolla’s works during a pandemic
In this extract from the August issue Session Report, violinist Karen Gomyo shares the challenges imposed by Covid-19 that resulted in unprecedented upsides while recording her new album of works by Piazzolla
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FocusThe ‘Ševčík Colony’: the global spread of a master pedagogue
In this extract from the December 2009 issue, Endre Granat outlines the international movements of violin professor Otakar Ševčík in the early 20th-century
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FocusEsther Yoo: ‘I try to share my journey so that people are aware of the challenges, not just the fancy end product’
Our August issue cover star Esther Yoo illustrates how she uses social media to share her musical knowledge and dispel the mystique of an international concert career
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FocusLeft-hand agility in Dont Etude op.35 no.8
In this extract from the May 1999 issue, violinist Zakhar Bron shares tips on hand shape and intonation when playing thirds in Dont Etude op.35 no.8
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Premium ❘ FeaturePlaying Concertos the Ševčík Way
His method books transformed violin pedagogy, but Otakar Ševčík’s later studies based around the concerto repertoire languished until rediscovered by Endre Granat. In this article from December 2009, Granat argues that Ševčík’s analytical approach can be applied to any work
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FocusAvoiding the ‘neutral zone’- what to do with your bow when playing violin trills
Violinist Zakhar Bron discusses creating a smooth line when playing trills in the op.36 no.6 etude by Dont
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolin Masterclass: Playing Thirds in Dont’s Etude op.35 no.8
Violin teacher Zakhar Bron provides tips for practising the op.35 no.8 Etude by Dont
