Featured Stories
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Blogs
A week of practice: cellist Hadewych van Gent
The cellist outlines her practice regime in the run up to her debut recording for the Royal Academy Bicentenary Series, Voice
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Blogs
Victor le Masne: how I composed the official theme for the Olympics
The musical director and composer of the official musical theme for the Paris 2024 Olympics shares his insights on creating a work that celebrates and reflects the excellence and dedication of athletes
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Blogs
How to unlock hidden potential: Redefining progress and the problem of procrastination
Violinist Hector Scott shares his insights into how to make practice engaging and help a pupil become a better version of themselves. In part one of three, he tackles the matter of redefining progress and the problem of procrastination
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‘This violoncello is perhaps the most perfect specimen’- From the archive: August 1924
William Whitehouse, a professor at London’s Royal College of Music, recalls some stories about his friend and fellow cellist Carlo Alfredo Piatti (1822–1901)
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News
The musical pride of France: The Capuçon brothers’ Olympic journey (so far!)
Following French cellist Gautier Capucon’s recent performance in front of the Olympic lantern, here’s a look at the brother duo’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games’ preparations
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Blogs
Barefoot in winter: Tina Davidson on composing for strings
US composer Tina Davidson on her ’lifelong love affair with the string family’ and the creative journey behind her new album for string quartet and piano
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Blogs
Chamber music is the best way to nurture motivation and passion in young musicians: cellist Dmitri Atapine
The co-director of Music@Menlo’s Chamber Music Institute Young Performers Program outlines how chamber music can provide an inspirational whirlwind for aspiring musicians and artists
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Postcard from Norway: Bergen International Festival
At the Bergen International Festival in Norway, Tim Homfray enjoyed some first-rate chamber performances as well as Hardanger fiddle music – and an unlikely heatwave
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Focus
Great violinists: Arthur Grumiaux
Julian Haylock examines a performer whose aristocratic poise and purity of tone combined to perfection in Bach and Mozart, in this article from June 2010
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Blogs
‘Trad meets Baroque’ - how violinist and violist Ciara Sudlow landed her first concert engagements
Irish-Australian violinist and violist Ciara Sudlow speaks about creating and developing her first shows exploring the crossover between Irish traditional and European baroque music, ahead of appearances at Dublin HandelFest
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Focus
Aaron Rosand on finding the perfect set of strings
Finding the best strings for your instrument can take years of trial and error. The American violinist reflects on his ongoing journey to discover the perfect set
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Focus
Great violinists: Eugène Ysaÿe
Matthew Rye examines the life of the great performer, conductor, composer and teacher whose full-bodied sound, broad tonal range and impeccable technique stemmed from years of hard practice
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Violinist Rachel Podger: Music from every angle
The celebrated British violinist and Baroque and Classical specialist Rachel Podger chats with Tom Stewart about her new guest director role, her approach to teaching Baroque playing and striving to create an exciting musical experience for her audiences
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Focus
Great violinists: Nicolò Paganini
In a special feature marking The Strad’s 120th anniversary in May 2010, Julian Haylock examined perhaps the greatest violinist of them all
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Blogs
TANGO and beyond: Max Baillie on running a concert series in St Leonards-on-Sea
How does a programme of tango music make its way to the UK seaside town of St Leonards-on-Sea? Violinist and violist Max Baillie shares his aim to give audiences up-front and intimate musical experiences
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100 years of cellist Christopher Bunting: ‘The truth of one’s nature has the last word’
British cellist Christopher Bunting brought an unwavering authenticity to his art as a performer, and as a renowned pedagogue he had the drive and generosity to help others achieve the same in their own playing. On the centenary of his birth, his daughter, violinist and teacher Philippa Bunting, considers his ...
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Bass instinct: a new generation of double bass players
The Strad speaks to five double bassists who are helping to shape a multifaceted and forward-looking new generation of players
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Session Report: composer Ailbhe McDonagh and violinist Lynda O’Connor on The Irish Four Seasons
Composer Ailbhe McDonagh and violinist Lynda O’Connor talk to Harry White about The Irish Four Seasons, a new work inspired by Vivaldi’s masterpiece, and their approach to recording it alongside its namesake
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Opinion: Avoid overloading students with information
Double bassist Alex Ferkey believes that young string players are often derailed by information overload, and should trust more in unconscious processes when trying to perfect their technique
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‘It’s incredibly important in one’s career to do it your own way’ - violinist Tasmin Little’s life lessons
The British violinist considers how to differentiate yourself as a musician and person