All Features articles
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession 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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Premium ❘ FeatureFlying 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 ❘ FeatureStill 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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Premium ❘ FeatureBottesini’s bass makers: the Rossi family
The development of the double bass in 19th-century Milan owed a lot to the Rossi family. Thomas and George Martin investigate the lives of its members, and the innovations they brought to double bass design
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Premium ❘ FeatureThe power of three: the string trio
Jacqueline Vanasse explores the unique properties of the string trio, delving into its history and repertoire with the guidance of some of today’s top trio players
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: cellist Zlatomir Fung on recording operatic fantasies for his debut album
For his debut album, US cellist Zlatomir Fung has delved into the world of the operatic fantasy – a relative rarity on the instrument. He speaks to Peter Quantrill about how making the recording has revealed new aspects of his musical personality
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Premium ❘ FeatureGeorge Enescu: a musical polymath
Tully Potter explores the rich and colourful life of George Enescu, the extraordinary Romanian violinist, composer, conductor, pianist and pedagogue, who died 70 years ago
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Premium ❘ FeaturePhilippe Quint: a time of change
US violinist Philippe Quint speaks to Rita Fernandes about his deeply personal new album Milestones, which represents a turning point in his career
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Premium ❘ FeatureLeading the way: the ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin 1732
Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ made the 1732 ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ violin near the start of his most productive period. Florian Leonhard explores how it shows the maker’s early style and reveals the history of its most famous owner
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Premium ❘ FeatureAdvice from peers: sharing the wisdom
Charlotte Gardner speaks to leading string players who have learnt valuable lessons from their colleagues and contemporaries, demonstrating that such insights are not only passed from teacher to pupil
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Premium ❘ FeatureDual accomplishments: the makers of Markneukirchen
The workshops of Markneukirchen and its environs made thousands of violins per year – but many were crafted by true artisans. Bruce Babbitt explains how these violins became the basis for a new book and exhibition charting their evolution
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: the London Handel Players on recording Telemann’s ‘Paris’ Quartets
As part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations, the London Handel Players has recorded six of Telemann’s ‘Paris’ Quartets. Robin Stowell speaks to two of the ensemble’s members about bringing the dance elements in the music to life
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Premium ❘ FeatureHard and fast rules: tonewood selection
What should luthiers look for when selecting spruce for their next violin top? Jiri Povolny examines the variables and discovers some useful guidelines to take out the guesswork
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Premium ❘ FeatureFrom screen to strings: concert works by screen composers
Rita Fernandes presents a curated list of string works by ten composers best known for their screen work, as well as interviews with composers and players
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Premium ❘ FeatureFranz Geissenhof: the Viennese Stradivari
Franz Geissenhof’s instruments have always been highly regarded, but how far was he influenced by his Cremonese predecessor? Rudolf Hopfner compares a typical Geissenhof violin with Stradivari’s work to find out
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolinist Arabella Steinbacher: angels and demons
Pauline Harding hears from the German violinist about her cathartic journey into the darkest depths and brightest heights of Lentz’s Violin Concerto, its pairing with Beethoven on her latest recording and the impact of motherhood on music making
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolin maker Antonio Bagatella: First among equals
Despite few of his violins surviving today, Antonio Bagatella is important in violin history for writing one of the first treatises on instrument design. Christian Pabst examines his work and shows how his methods stand up to scrutiny
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Premium ❘ FeatureCellist Zara Nelsova: A sound from a dream
The Canadian-born cellist Zara Nelsova was a fierce advocate for the repertoire she loved and for four decades an inspirational teacher at the Juilliard School. Oskar Falta explores her life and remarkable career, and hears from some of the musicians who studied with her
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Violinist Liya Petrova on recording Korngold and Strauss
Bulgarian violinist Liya Petrova tells Emma Baker about how her new album pairing Korngold’s Violin Concerto with Richard Strauss’s Violin Sonata came into being, and about striving for a sense of spontaneity
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Premium ❘ FeatureBow maker James Tubbs: London Calling
The British bow maker James Tubbs was born 190 years ago this month. John Basford looks back at his life, work and legacy to the bow making community
