Featured Stories – Page 3
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Sentimental Work: Baiba Skride on Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1
The Latvian violinist grew up with Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1, a work that allows a lot of freedom of expression – as her two recordings amply demonstrate
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Blogs
United Strings of Europe: how we got the rights to arrange Stravinsky
Julian Azkoul, artistic director of United Strings of Europe, outlines the journey to secure permission from the surviving Stravinsky family to create a string sextet arrangement of the ballet Apollon musagète
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Blogs
Sibelius Violin Concerto, then and now
Peter Manning examines the history of Sibelius’ monumental concerto and why the work still holds prominence in the 21st century
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Blogs
Play of light and shadow: The Chiaroscuro Quartet at 20
As the ensemble releases a new Haydn recording, the Chiaroscuro Quartet looks back on twenty years of daring contrasts and expressive clarity
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Blogs
The Belinfante Quartet presents ‘Death of Venice’
Violist of the Belinfante Quartet Henrietta Hill shares how the ensemble’s tour programme connects theatrical music with the growing concerns of climate change
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Opinion: Intelligent approaches to the bow in orchestral playing
The default for many orchestral string players is to use as much bow as possible to achieve maximum projection. Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that a more thoughtful approach is necessary
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Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: Leon Bosch on recording his album ‘The British Double Bass Sonatina’
Leon Bosch tells Harry White about his new album of double bass sonatinas – seven brand new works that he commissioned from a circle of contemporary British composers
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Flying the flag for young talent: young artists’ schemes
As the Young Classical Artists Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary, Jessica Duchen hears from artists whose careers have been supported by this and other schemes for emerging talent
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Premium ❘ Article
Analysis June 2025: Newest AI developments in music education
With AI advances almost constantly making headlines in the news, what benefits might it have for the future of music education? By Peter Somerford
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Blogs
Violinist Nikolay Madoyan: redefining boundaries
Armenian-German violinist Nikolay Madoyan sits down with Erik Bach to discuss his tour featuring Paganini’s formidable 24 Caprices, revealing the profound inner world and unique musical path behind his masterful interpretations
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Blogs
‘This sacred art is under tremendous threat’: Guy Johnston on the Newark School of Violin Making
Cellist Guy Johnston recalls his experience interacting with Newark student Julius Hennicke in 2018, and why the school needs support in continuing its craft
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Blogs
Concert review: Jack M Campbell (violin), Alexis Fletcher (dancer)
Pwyll ap Siôn reports back from the Turing-inspired concert Sounding Bombe: Enigma Project at Chester Cathedral on 27 May 2025
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News
Concert review: Dover Quartet in Seattle
US correspondent Thomas May attends a concert by the Dover Quartet at Benaroya Hall on 25 May 2025
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Premium ❘ Feature
Still making waves: the Australian Chamber Orchestra
As the Australian Chamber Orchestra celebrates its 50th anniversary, Michael White speaks to its long-time artistic director Richard Tognetti about its unique place in the musical world
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Postcard from Svalbard: Arctic Chamber Music Festival
The Arctic Chamber Music Festival takes place in the world’s most northerly town, Longyearbyen. Emma Baker travelled there to sample its unique atmosphere
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Video
Perfectly poised pizzicato: Louise McMonagle performs ‘Salat Babilya’ for solo cello
The work by Zoë Martlew draws influences from a modern lullaby from Iraq and the Middle Eastern oud
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Blogs
The ‘folk’ in my bond with folk music: my parents, Teresa Teng, and Béla Bartók
The term ‘folk music’ can encapsulate a multitude of genres, so what does it mean to Nancy Zhou? The violinist outlines numerous folk music influences that provide a cross-fertilisation of music, culture, and social justice
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Blogs
Between dusk and dawn: Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández presents ‘Moonlight Variations’
The Spanish cellist’s new album pairs Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with lyrical miniatures and nocturnes that trace a path from twilight introspection to morning light.
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Blogs
Concert review: Pablo Ferrández (cello), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Domingo Hindoyan
Davina Shum reports back from a rare appearance of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at London’s Barbican, which featured soloist Pablo Ferrández performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto
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Blogs
Temple of resonance: Brooklyn Rider’s Philip Glass marathon
Brooklyn Rider’s Johnny Gandelsman and Michael Nicolas reflect on the ensemble’s long relationship with Philip Glass’s music for string quartet, which they will perform complete in a three-night marathon