Featured Stories – Page 2
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Laurence Lesser’s musical heroes: a playlist
Cellist Laurence Lesser shares some influential recordings from legendary artists that have impacted his six-decade-long career, which he has recently outlined in the March 2024 issue of The Strad
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Who was violinist Alma Moodie?
Australian-born violinist Alma Moodie was a celebrated performer in her day – a protégée of Carl Flesch who collaborated with many leading composers. However, her contribution to the violin canon has been largely forgotten, writes Tatjana Goldberg
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‘I like to run my section in a cooperative way’ - Christopher Hanulik’s Life Lessons
The US double bassist on his early influences and lessons learnt from his nearly four decade-long principal position at the LA Philharmonic
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Who was violinist Kathleen Parlow?
Lilly Camden profiles the 20th-century female violinist, a child prodigy who had a prolific, yet short-lived performing and recording career
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‘Her soulful melodies are her distinct fingerprint’: violinist Melissa White on Florence Price
Ahead of performances of both of Price’s violin concertos in March, violinist Melissa White chats to The Strad about discovering these works, as well as what makes Price’s music unique
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‘The violin is discovering incredible repertoire with me!’: Liya Petrova on the 1742 ’Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
For almost two hundred years, the 1742 ‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ’del Gesù’ violin has remained unplayed. Now in the hands of Liya Petrova, the violinist shares her journey of discovery with this instrument
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Cellist Guy Johnston: ‘When I perform with a choir, I’m often reminded of vocalising rather than playing the cello’
The cello is often described as the closest instrument to the human voice. Guy Johnston shares his unique experience recording Night Seasons by Rebecca Dale - described as a concerto for cello and choir in conversation
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‘Orchestra and electronics converse with playful fluidity and harmony’: Rone x LCO on a new collaboration
Erwan Castex, a.k.a French electronic music virtuoso Rone, speaks about fusing stringed instruments with music production, as he joins the forces with London Contemporary Orchestra in an expansive new collaboration
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Pierre Rode: The Rode less travelled
He is best remembered for his didactic 24 Caprices, but there’s much more to Pierre Rode. For the French virtuoso’s 250th anniversary, Charlotte Gardner reveals a colourful life story and hears from the German violinist Friedemann Eichhorn, who has revived and recorded all of Rode’s 13 violin concertos
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‘A deeply moving experience’: Alisa Weilerstein discusses Beethoven’s Cello Sonatas
Ahead of a performance of a Beethoven Cello Sonata cycle in Barcelona on 7 March, the cellist reveals her insights on the monumental works
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Laurence Lesser: the making of a cellist
Having recently celebrated his 85th birthday, cellist and pedagogue Laurence Lesser looks back on his formative influences and recalls some of the iconic 20th-century musicians he worked with
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Pioneering Female String Players from The Strad archives
Ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March, take a look at these string players who graced the pages of our early magazine
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Who were the early female violinists?
Women soloists have long struggled against prejudice and indifference in the male-dominated musical establishment. But, as Tully Potter explains, The Strad has taken an enlightened approach to the sexes throughout its history. From 2014
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Postcard from Hong Kong: Musicus Fest
Cross-cultural and intergenerational exchange is the engine that drives cellist Trey Lee’s Musicus Fest, as Thomas May discovered at its eleventh edition
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Laure Chan discusses Robert Schumann’s Violin Concerto: ‘A juxtaposition of suffering and joy’
The titular piece for her new album Schumann Violin Concerto with Daniel Hogan and Sinfonia Perdita, violinist Laure Chan breaks down the emotional significance of Schumann’s last great opus and how her journey as a composer has deepened her understanding of the work
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‘Shall I ever be the same again?’ - From the Archive: March 1914
After a long break from the violin, how can amateur violinists ease themselves back into playing? Regular correspondent ‘Lancastrian’ (Dr William Hardman) gives his thoughts
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Session Report: violinist Francesca Dego on recording Brahms and Busoni concertos
The concertos of Brahms and Busoni make a natural pairing on record but, as the violinist Francesca Dego explains to Peter Quantrill, the connection between them goes beyond the notes
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Cellist Johannes Moser and guitarist Xuefei Yang: a rewarding collaboration
Johannes Moser chats to The Strad about his upcoming collaboration with guitarist Xuefei Yang at London’s Kings Place, where the duo will explore a range of works by composers including Dowland, Bach, Schubert, Sheng and De Falla
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Sentimental Work: Gidon Kremer on Raminta Šerkšnytė’s ‘This too shall pass’
For the Latvian violinist, Raminta Šerkšnytė’s 2021 composition This too shall pass is a multifaceted and liberating work in these challenging times
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The road to Wigmore: cellist Sterling Elliott’s practice diary
How do you get to Wigmore Hall? Setting goals, time management, and even addressing a phone addiction have been crucial for the cellist to maintain concentration as he prepares for his debut on 27 February 2024