All Features articles
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Session Report: Johan Dalene on recording Neoclassical 20th-century works
The young Swedish violinist Johan Dalene speaks to Tom Stewart about recording his fourth album, a recital of luminous, Neoclassical 20th-century music for violin and piano
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The Strad Calendar 2024: The Fulton collection
The Strad Calendar 2024 pays tribute to one of the 20th century’s finest stringed instrument collections, put together in just a couple of decades by American violin collector David L. Fulton. Christian Lloyd examines the treasures
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‘We want to learn everything’ - Leonkoro Quartet
Formed in 2019, the Leonkoro Quartet burst on to the scene with a string of competition wins and now a debut album. The foursome speak to Peter Somerford about what it takes to succeed as a young string quartet today
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Finding the right bow: A marriage made in heaven
A string player can miss out on the full potential of their instrument if they don’t find the perfect bow to go with it. A host of players and bow makers share their experiences with Jacqueline Vanasse and lend advice on the process of searching for the right bow
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Pablo Casals and the Bach Cello Suites: Journey to a masterpiece
To mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Casals in October 1973, Oskar Falta examines the great Catalan cellist’s ‘rediscovery’ of the Bach Cello Suites, and the continuing legacy of his highly personal approach to the music
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Norwegian Wood: The history of the Hardanger fiddle
Regarded as Norway’s national instrument, the Hardanger fiddle is the product of a long evolution beginning in medieval times. Wiebke Lüders presents a history of the instrument’s development, profiling some of the most notable artisans
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‘Be the person to teach them how to learn’ - Training an apprentice
Sarah Kluge explains her method of training an apprentice from scratch, including an essential list of dos and don’ts
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Session Report: Hilary Hahn on Ysaÿe’s Solo Violin Sonatas
When Hilary Hahn decided to record Ysaÿe’s Six Solo Violin Sonatas for their centenary year, all the stars seemed to align in terms of both timing and fresh musical insights, as she tells Charlotte Gardner
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Zosimo Bergonzi: Family fortunes
Zosimo Bergonzi, son of Carlo, was for a time the only luthier active in Cremona . Michel Samson tracks his career through his known works
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21 reasons why your instrument might be buzzing
Finding why an instrument buzzes while playing is a task that bedevils luthiers. Dmitry Tarakanov presents a checklist for the most likely causes
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'When someone is healthy inside, it sounds that way' - Mental health services in conservatoires
Rita Fernandes hears from administrators, counsellors and teachers from music schools about what defines a successful conservatoire mental health support system
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‘Early focus on musicality helps adults thrive’ - Billy Tobenkin on adult learning
Billy Tobenkin on why he believes it is beneficial for adult learners to dive straight into ‘grown-up’ repertoire – offering tips on how to proceed
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‘All it takes is one’ - Violinist Randall Goosby
American violin virtuoso Randall Goosby is deeply committed to passing on his passion for music to the younger generation, as he tells Amanda Holloway
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Down to the ground: Stradivari’s preparation layers
Giacomo Fiocco presents the results of a study using innovative spectroscopic techniques to examine two of the master’s finest instruments
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Grace, charm and effortless elegance: remembering violinist Jacques Thibaud
To mark the 70th anniversary of the death of French violinist Jacques Thibaud, Tully Potter looks back at the life of one of the 20th century’s most influential musicians
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Session Report: Escher Quartet on Janáček and Haas
Escher Quartet cellist Brook Speltz talks to David Kettle about the foursome’s original interpretations of Janáček and Haas quartets
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‘Find someone who’s like-hearted’ - Changes within string quartets
Peter Quantrill speaks to string quartet players who have survived, and even thrived under membership change
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Marino Capicchioni: A one-of-a-kind luthier
Self-taught and living far away from any centres of lutherie, Marino Capicchioni became famous in his time for the superb quality of his instruments.
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‘I can’t help having a different perspective’ - Violinist Nicola Benedetti
Ahead of Nicola Benedetti’s debut as director of the Edinburgh International Festival, Rebecca Franks speaks to her about her plans
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Twisted History: Female violinists and the Brahms concerto
Tatjana Goldberg takes a closer look at the group of female violinists spreading Brahms’s violin concerto worldwide